The aim of this thesis is to develop or improve the system for lowering and raising the anchor/chain using a ship's winch. The introductory part of the paper describes the PLC device with its functionalities, and the HMI device and its use today. In the practical part of the work, the model of winch control was improved, on which a chain is wound which raises or lowers the ship's anchor, using PLC and HMI devices. The practical part of the work was made in collaboration with Adria Winch d. O. O. A PLC device called TM241CEC24T/U from Schneider Electric was used. The program code for the PLC device is written in the SoMachine program. An HMI device called HMIS5T was used, and the program code for managing the HMI device was written in the Vijeo Designer programming environment. As part of the practical work, a program code was realized that is used to connect HMI panels, PLC devices and electrical cabinets. In the electrical cabinet there is a frequency converter to which a voltage signal is sent via the analog output of the PLC device by which we control the speed of the electric motor. Through the HMI panel, the user / operator defines the value of the motor speed, which is then sent to the motor. The average engine speed is preset, while the Acceleration option can be used to increase the engine speed. There are benchmarks on the motor that measure the speed and length of the chain using induction sensors, and this information is displayed to the user on the screen of the HMI device. Via the digital outputs of the PLC device, the user is enabled to turn on and off the motor via the buttons located on the HMI panel. The user is shown everything very clearly on the HMI device, and the user, in addition to accelerating and starting the engine, has ability to reset all values. All errors that occurred during operation are printed on the panel, and at any time the user has opportunity to change the operating mode. Also, if he wants, he can select the automatic mode by just starting the engine and leaving everything to the program. Ultimately, an automatic winch control system was implemented, very simple and easy to use.