21.11.2014

The leaning tower of Drammen

A rolling tower crane mounted on a dry dock barge was at risk of collapse early this morning in Drammen, Norway, after one side of the floating dock sprung a and began listing badly.
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The crane earlier this morning

The 30 metre high crane reached almost 30 degrees and looked at one point this morning as though it would collapse onto a tanker opposite, forcing the ship to be moved.
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The tanker makes a swift exit

The crew then began pumping water out of the flooded pontoon to slow or stop the listing, while divers worked on stemming the leaks, which are thought to have come from two hatches. As the morning has progressed the barge has begun to move upright again.
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As the morning has progressed the crane has begun to move upright again with the dock

Although the recovery crew was concerned that a large air bubble might have formed under the dock which could cause a problem. As it turned out the crane and its hold on the tracks was stronger than expected. In the end no one was hurt and no damage was done.
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Finally back upright - drama over