Demolition and Salvage: Demolition Case Studies

Demolition and Salvage: Dockside Crane, Portsmouth

Following a serious dockside crane accident in November 2004 the company received a call for help from HM Naval Base, Portsmouth.

The crane was operated by Fleet Support Limited and had toppled over during a lifting operation. The crane struck HMS Invincible, injured both Naval and Civilian staff and caused major damage.

With a little over a week to go before the return of Naval ships for the Christmas break the Company undertook the emergency clearance of the crane wreckage. The operation was at times extremely dangerous due to the position of the crane, which was initially wedged against the ship with more damage being caused by the rise and fall of the tide.

Shipping movements were suspended and a strict speed limit imposed for vital harbour traffic.

Once the crane was stabilised specialists from Demolition & Salvage Ltd drew up detailed method statements and risk assessments for every stage of the operation. This involved a structural assessment of the damaged quayside prior to bringing heavy machinery to the site.

The crane was dismantled with the machinery room and various crane components being set aside in a quarantine area for inspection by the Health & Safety Executive.

Oil pollution was controlled using a floating boom and work continued at night and at the weekend to complete the task on time.

The operation involved cranes from Terranova Lifting Ltd and heavy specialist transport from Chappells of Stubbington who used their special types MAN tractor unit coupled with a five axle Broshuis step frame trailer to move the 60 tonne machinery room from the quayside, through the Naval Base to the quarantine area.

The load was escorted by Chappells escort vehicle and Ministry of Defence Police through the normally busy Dockyard without any problems.

The quayside was finally swept clean and handed back to allow HMS Southampton to berth alongside on time.

BBC News article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/4001871.stm