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25.07.2025
A 750 tonne crawler overturn
A 750 tonne Manitowoc M18000 Max-ER crawler crane overturned sideways into the sea while lifting a large cable reel at an Aliseo / Petrobas offshore logistics base in Porto do Açu, Brazil.
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The cause was apparently due to the ground giving way under one of the crane’s tracks, thankfully, no injuries were reported.
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FAO Ms Magda Chambriard
Chief Executive Officer
Petrobras
Senado House
Rua Henrique Valadres
Rio de Janeiro 28, Brazil.
Dear Chief Executive,
Thank you for publishing this major Crane Incident at the Petrobras Quay on the Porto du Aco logistics base in Brazil. All of which caught my attention as this is the second major incident for your company in the past 6 months.
So as no-one else spoke up for the Safety of those Workers at Porto du Aco, I will.
The Manitowoc 18000 Crawler Crane is an excellent machine and engineered to very high standards with Cummins engine and Hydraulic Power Transmission to all Crane Lift, Slew and Travel functions. However after falling into the Sea, all Major components and wiring will now be affected by Saltwater contamination and in need of Repair or Replacement.
Your colleagues in Londons Construction Plant Association can confirm that I have researched 1758 Crane Incidents worldwide over the past 18yrs, all of which has Killed 986 Men, Women and Children. Moreover my research leads me to conclude that Crane Stability is only as good as the ground that the crane stands upon.
Therefore, as you are CEO and this Crane was undertaking a Major Lift on a Petrobras Quay, you should ask the following questions as part of your inquiry….
1. Was the Ground Bearing Pressure calculated in advance for that Quay ?
2. Was the Cranes Tm2 imposed load calculated in advance for the Gross Weight thru the Cranes Tracks of the Crane plus the Load plus Rigging ?
3. Was a Suitable and Sufficient Risk Assessment undertaken to identify all Hazards for this Heavy Lift on this Quay on that day ?
The answers to your questions should be Yes, Yes and Yes. If not, then in order to avoid any repeat of this type of avoidable incident please set-up a Training Programme for all Directors, Managers and Staff in 'Safe Systems of Work’ (SSoW). Because embracing SSoW is the only way to mitigate all of the inherent hazards in Lifting operations. For if your lifting Operations continues without SSoW then its only a matter of time before Petrobras incurs a third Major Incident, following the fatal Petrobras 79 test load incident on 3rd September 2025.
Because Worker Safety is important, very important and much too important to leave it to chance ?
o
FAO Ms Magda Chambriard
Chief Executive Officer
Petrobras
Senado House
Rua Henrique Valadres
Rio de Janeiro 28, Brazil.
Dear Chief Executive,
Thank you for publishing this major Crane Incident at the Petrobras Quay on the Porto du Aco logistics base in Brazil. All of which caught my attention as this is the second major incident for your company in the past 6 months.
So as no-one else spoke up for the Safety of those Workers at Porto du Aco, I will.
The Manitowoc 18000 Crawler Crane is an excellent machine and engineered to very high standards with Cummins engine and Hydraulic Power Transmission to all Crane Lift, Slew and Travel functions. However after falling into the Sea, all Major components and wiring will now be affected by Saltwater contamination and in need of Repair or Replacement.
Your colleagues in Londons Construction Plant Association can confirm that I have researched 1758 Crane Incidents worldwide over the past 18yrs, all of which has Killed 986 Men, Women and Children. Moreover my research leads me to conclude that Crane Stability is only as good as the ground that the crane stands upon.
Therefore, as you are CEO and this Crane was undertaking a Major Lift on a Petrobras Quay, you should ask the following questions as part of your inquiry….
1. Was the Ground Bearing Pressure calculated in advance for that Quay ?
2. Was the Cranes Tm2 imposed load calculated in advance for the Gross Weight thru the Cranes Tracks of the Crane plus the Load plus Rigging ?
3. Was a Suitable and Sufficient Risk Assessment undertaken to identify all Hazards for this Heavy Lift on this Quay on that day ?
The answers to your questions should be Yes, Yes and Yes. If not, then in order to avoid any repeat of this type of avoidable incident please set-up a Training Programme for all Directors, Managers and Staff in 'Safe Systems of Work’ (SSoW). Because embracing SSoW is the only way to mitigate all of the inherent hazards in Lifting operations. For if your lifting Operations continues without SSoW then its only a matter of time before Petrobras incurs a third Major Incident, following the fatal Petrobras 79 test load incident on 3rd September 2025.
Because Worker Safety is important, very important and much too important to leave it to chance ?
Kindest Regards
Mike J. Ponsonby