Shipboard Revolving Crane Fails At Spanish Port [Aviles, ES ~ 28 November 2016]

Posted by admin on Nov 29, 2016 in Bulletins

Information coming from colleagues in Spain, allows us to report an apparent deck crane failure aboard the Liberian flagged M/V A RACER (Ex Waffle Racer) last night at Aviles port. During the discharge of steel slabs weighing approximately 22 tons, the deck crane at No. 3 hatch (rated at 30 tons) apparently broke away from its slewing ring bearing mounts as the lifting appliance was rotating under load toward the dock.

The 54 year old dockworker operating the deck crane was trapped in the operator’s cabin, until rescuers were able to flame torch him out and convey him to the dock via an aerial lift. He was taken to a local hospital with abrasions and bruises, and was being assessed for possible broken bones.

The vessel is classed with Bureau Veritas.

In the wake of many ship’s lifting appliance failures occurring over the last few years, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has begun an initiative to better regulate the condition and operation of such machinery. An IMO Correspondence Group has been actively pursuing this initiative, and is soon to make its report to IMO principals at London.

Link to Media Account:

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Above: M/V A RACER (Ex Waffle Racer)

Barco rotura grúa muelle de Valliniello Avilés ©Foto Marieta AVI