03.09.2024

Crane drops NZ team boat

Late last week a tower crane lifting the New Zealand America’s Cup boat, Taihoro, out of the water, dropped it several metres onto its cradle causing some significant, but thankfully repairable damage.

The 37th America’s Cup race is being held in Barcelona, Spain, and New Zealand, the defending champions had just won the heat they had participated in. The 23 metre long AC75 boat was being lifted by a Liebherr tower crane with counterweighted foundation ballast when it looks like the rigging failed, or hoist rope slipped – we have not been able to learn much detail on what actually occurred, but have been told that it was using a new synthetic hoist rope – although – once again we have been unable to corroborate this and have no confirmation that the hoist rope played a part in the incident.

The crane was one of two supplied specifically to remove the boats after each days racing so that can be rolled into the covered storage sheds where they can be worked on overnight. A five axle Liebherr All Terrain crane was supplied by local rental company El Rayo Amarillo, as the crew had lost faith in the tower crane – at least for now. The work on the boats is a true combination of cranes, access and telehandlers.

Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident, which attracted a fair few onlookers. The boat was back racing on Sunday and is looking well placed to retain the ‘Auld Cup’.
Photos courtesey of team New Zealand
The following videos provide a view of the incident as it occurs and the comments from the team.