An engineering team aboard a cruise ship, working with technicians from the engine manufacturer, was overhauling a large diesel generator. They used the engine room’s overhead gantry crane to lift heavy components. During the operation, a 1200kg cylinder liner was being lifted into position above the engine. The electric winch motor raised the crane hook to its maximum height when the crane’s hoisting wire suddenly snapped. The cylinder liner fell onto the engine, damaging both the engine and the liner, and struck the left foot of a nearby fitter, causing a broken toe. The injured crew member was treated in the hospital and later repatriated, reports MAIB.
About the incident
The hoisting wire had been renewed shortly before the maintenance began but was 7 meters shorter than specified in the crane manufacturer’s technical manual. The shorter wire length compromised the crane’s hoist limit switch, preventing it from cutting power to the winch motor when the hook reached maximum height, overloading the wire and causing it to snap.
Tests on the remaining three engine room cranes revealed that their limit switches also failed to cut power to the winch motors, falling short of the manufacturer’s requirements. A comparison of the wire lengths recorded in the ship’s planned maintenance system (PMS) with the manufacturer’s specifications showed discrepancies.
As a result, the cranes were taken out of service for repair, and the engineering team was instructed to conduct a full inspection of engine room hoisting devices to ensure compliance with manufacturer specifications. They were also reminded to test the hoist limit switches before operating the cranes.
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Source: MAIB
