Chain and cable handling winch system comprising: A winch, the winch having: - a winch axle, the winch axle having a winch axle end adapted to mount a chain wheel thereon in a working position, - a cable drum mounted on the winch axle, - a frame, supporting the winch axle such that the axle is supported on opposite sides of the cable drum by a first and second support, the first support being located inbetween the cable drum and the chain wheel end of the winch axle, - a motor drive adapted to drive the winch, A chain wheel, the chain wheel having: - a chain wheel body with a central opening adapted to engage the chain wheel end of the winch axle, which chain wheel is in a working position when mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, A chain wheel lock assembly, wherein the assembly is adapted to releasable secure the chain wheel in its working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel lock assembly comprising one or more locking members movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and characterised by An interface body, mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle such that it rotates with the winch axle, wherein the interface body is provided with slots and/or ribs and the chain wheel is provided with corresponding ribs and/or slots, which slots and/or ribs of the interface body are adapted to cooperate with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the chain wheel such that: = when the chain wheel is mounted in its working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle the slots and/or ribs of the chain wheel interlock with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body, such that, when the chain wheel is subjected to a tangential force generating a torque load about the winch axle, this torque load is transferred from the chain wheel to the winch axle via the interface body and visa versa, and = when the chain wheel is moved out of its working position in a direction substantially parallel to the winch axle, the slots and/or ribs and the chain wheel unlock with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body. A winch, the winch having: - a winch axle, the winch axle having a winch axle end adapted to mount a chain wheel thereon in a working position, - a cable drum mounted on the winch axle, - a frame, supporting the winch axle such that the axle is supported on opposite sides of the cable drum by a first and second support, the first support being located inbetween the cable drum and the chain wheel end of the winch axle, - a motor drive adapted to drive the winch, - a winch axle, the winch axle having a winch axle end adapted to mount a chain wheel thereon in a working position, - a cable drum mounted on the winch axle, - a frame, supporting the winch axle such that the axle is supported on opposite sides of the cable drum by a first and second support, the first support being located inbetween the cable drum and the chain wheel end of the winch axle, - a motor drive adapted to drive the winch, A chain wheel, the chain wheel having: - a chain wheel body with a central opening adapted to engage the chain wheel end of the winch axle, which chain wheel is in a working position when mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, - a chain wheel body with a central opening adapted to engage the chain wheel end of the winch axle, which chain wheel is in a working position when mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, A chain wheel lock assembly, wherein the assembly is adapted to releasable secure the chain wheel in its working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel lock assembly comprising one or more locking members movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and characterised by An interface body, mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle such that it rotates with the winch axle, wherein the interface body is provided with slots and/or ribs and the chain wheel is provided with corresponding ribs and/or slots, which slots and/or ribs of the interface body are adapted to cooperate with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the chain wheel such that: = when the chain wheel is mounted in its working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle the slots and/or ribs of the chain wheel interlock with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body, such that, when the chain wheel is subjected to a tangential force generating a torque load about the winch axle, this torque load is transferred from the chain wheel to the winch axle via the interface body and visa versa, and = when the chain wheel is moved out of its working position in a direction substantially parallel to the winch axle, the slots and/or ribs and the chain wheel unlock with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body. = when the chain wheel is mounted in its working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle the slots and/or ribs of the chain wheel interlock with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body, such that, when the chain wheel is subjected to a tangential force generating a torque load about the winch axle, this torque load is transferred from the chain wheel to the winch axle via the interface body and visa versa, and = when the chain wheel is moved out of its working position in a direction substantially parallel to the winch axle, the slots and/or ribs and the chain wheel unlock with the corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body.