A barge or pontoon was dropped onto a small boat in Boston Harbor Shipyard and Marina in East Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday.
The incident involved a large All Terrain crane from the Bay Crane fleet, which was employed to lift the barge into the water. Shortly after the lift commenced and the crane began to slew the barge towards its placement point, one of the lower web type slings failed causing the barge to drop and slip forward into the water coming to rest on the crane chassis and a small boat in the harbour.
No one was hurt in the incident, but the crane suffered some damage around the engine area, while the boat was sunk. Fuel and oil leakage from the boat was quickly retained with a floating boom and later recovered.
A statement from Bay Crane said: “On November 6, the barge was transported from the fabrication building on a six line SPMT and brought alongside the crane. A rigging crew from the customer along with Bay Crane staff, rigged the barge. We then lifted it clear of the transporter, made minor adjustments for the centre of gravity and then removed the SPMT trailer and set the barge on the dunnage.”
“On November 7th the Bay Crane due to carry out the lift arrived on site and lifted the barge clear of the dunnage, holding it for five to 10 minutes while everything below was checked. All unnecessary personnel were then cleared from the lift area, and any boats immediately alongside the dock checked for occupants. The lift then began. Shortly after that a lower sling failed.”
“The rigging had been designed by the customer who also provided all of the lower rigging gear, including the three spreader beams. Bay Crane supplied all of the rigging gear above the top spreader beam.”
A Bay Crane spokesman added: “We are investigating the sling failures and while upset that the incident occurred, are thankful that our safety protocols helped ensure that no one was hurt in the incident.”
The news bulletin below includes a statement from the Fire chief at the scene
Red
Why would the operator even allow a large heavy load to be swung over part of his crane, let alone some poor souls boat ?
Another black eye for Bay Crane.