Many job-site accidents are the result of a lack of training and equipment failure. Don’t let that happen to you and your employees. Sign up for training or schedule your next inspection with Cranes101. But first, read the March 2024 accidents.
Out-of-control container ship crashes into three cranes
This article was originally published on March 18,2024 on Vertikal.net. Click the link for more pictures and a YouTube video on the incident.
A Yang Ming Marine container ship has demolished three cranes in Turkey.
The accident involving the 14,100-teu YM Witness (built 2015) took place at 15:45 local time on Saturday, Turkey’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs said.
The 368-metre container ship hit the port cranes during a docking manoeuvre at Kocaeli’s Evyapport.
The boxship was under the supervision of a pilot at the time, the agency added.
Several containers from the ship fell into the sea, the directorate said.
Mobile phone footage shows the vessel approaching the dock with four cranes to its port side.
Shouts of warning and panic are heard, as well as a dull clang as the vessel appears to hit the second and third in the row.
The third crane topples back into the second, while the fourth falls forward, almost in slow motion.
Other videos show port workers running from the scene.
Police and firefighters were in attendance, and an investigation has begun.
The YM Witness has insurance through NorthStandard, formerly North P&I Club.
The Hong Kong-flagged vessel is chartered by the Taiwanese operator from Canadian tonnage provider Seaspan Corp.
Yang Ming said it was notified by the shipowner that the ship made contact with the pier and gantry cranes during berthing operations.
“Whereas navigational behaviour and seamanship are under the supervision and management of the shipowner, administrative enquiries and a full investigation into this incident are currently conducted in conjunction between shipowner and the relevant maritime authorities,” the company added.
No casualties were reported.
Seaspan Ship Management said the ship was being assisted by harbour tugs when the allision occurred.
“Visual evidence/photographs indicate absence of fuel contaminants, though due to the presence of some solid waste (bottles, cans), the port’s contractor cleaning company will be engaged to address seawater pollution,” the company added.
“The cause of the incident is not known but will be investigated and Seaspan, as operator of the vessel, will work closely with the relevant authorities,” the statement read.
The boxship had left Ambarli in Turkey on the same day.
AIS data showed the ship at anchor in the port on Monday morning.
The ship sails on a Mediterranean loop.
The vessel has no port state detentions on its record.
In January, at an inspection in China, six deficiencies were recorded relating to lifeboats, emergency preparedness and abandon ship drills.
In the Dock
This article is reprinted from Vertikal.net published on March 21 2024. There is a video of the incident at the original link.
We have received information on an incident in the UK last week, in which a telehandler ended up partially in the water. It was saved from total immersion by the boom coming to rest on the barge and one of the rear wheels hanging on to the dock.
We understand that the telehandler was working for an events company in Stockport, on the south side of Manchester. Although we are unable to identify the exact location.
According to our source it was loading material onto a barge in preparation for a lightshow, the photo appears to show that it was in the process of placing a one tonne bulk bag of gravel, using what appears to be a 2.5 tonne/six metre JCB compact telehandler. We understand that the operator was able to get out of the cab and onto the dock, suffering nothing more than a few bruises and shaken confidence.
The barge was clearly not tied up properly – if at all – assuming a one tonne bag, the telehandler’s forward reach with this load would be around three metres – more than sufficient. However, the driver has come at the job from an angle so that one wheel would inevitably been close to the dock edge and more reach would be needed than a 90 degree on approach.
The barge has swung out from the dock as the bag was placed, did it pull the machine in? Or did the front right hand wheel go over the edge and the telehandler pushed the barge? Either way it is all so predictable.
In the words of our correspondent: “This again highlights the lack of training and certificates in the event world.”
Worker dies after crane strikes power lines on Catskill’s Greene Street
This article is reprinted from Hudson Valley 360 originally published on March 26, 2024.
CATSKILL — A man died following an accident involving a crane that struck power lines and caught fire on Monday at the Catskill Marina on Greene Street, Catskill Police Chief Ronald Frascello said.
Branden Luciano, 36, of Germantown, was electrocuted when he came in contact with the crane hook after it struck electrical wires. Subsequently, the crane caught on fire when power heated the wires.
Police closed off the area near Catskill Creek and summoned a medical helicopter after the incident late Monday morning. Firefighters could be seen spraying water on the crane parked in a lot off of the street. The helicopter landed nearby, but it was unclear if Luciano was flown. He was transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital.
There were several workers on-site at the time of the accident. Frascello said the crew worked for Creekside Restaurant and were using the crane to remove trees from the 12 Greene St. lot. The crane was purchased by Creekside Restaurant, Frascello said.
No other workers were injured on site, Frascello added.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to help Luciano’s family with funeral expenses and to support his loved ones.
“Branden was the nicest guy you’d ever meet and loved his kids more than anything,” the page reads.
Catskill Village Police are investigating the accident in conjunction with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Greene County district attorney’s office, the state Department of Labor and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
If you see an accident report you’d like us to feature in the blog, like the ones shown here in the March 2024 Accidents Reports, let us know. Contact heather@cranes101.com with the information.