Winch rooms are very useful and a utility for fisherman. These are used everyday and they are a convenient way for fishermen to be used for their boats. These rooms are placed at the top of slipways. Their purpose is to pull boats out of water. Usually these are used by small vessels. Currently there are twelve (12) winchrooms around the island. Every locality has its own winchroom attendant. These attendants are solely responsible for the hosting of vessels.

The majority of winch rooms are located in Marsaxlokk (5) where there is the highest concentration of fishermen and fishing boats, but there are also winch rooms in other fishing villages like; Marsaskala, Birzebbugia, St Julian’s, St Paul’s Bay, Kalkara, Marsamxett and Zurrieq. Currently there are ongoing projects that will see more localities equipped and able to provide this service.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture takes care of these winches and other gear, like steel eyelets, pulleys, wire ropes, hooks and other equipment and always ensures that these are maintained in a good and safe working condition.