Author Topic: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven  (Read 14686 times)

Offline Jens Boldt

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Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« on: May 14, 2015, 09:12:47 PM »
In the night of May 13/14 a crane operator died at Bremerhaven when the boom of his crane collapsed and crashed with the cabin into the hold of Maersk Karachi 50 m below. :(

Authorities needed several hours to find the man beneath the wreckage of the crane.

Maersk Karachi will need some minor repairs before she can leave Bremerhaven.

So far no cause for the accident has been given...

Best regards,
Jens

Offline PHa

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2015, 10:15:15 PM »
Detailed aerial view photos from the accident scene:

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,676.html

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,677.html


Containerbridge involved was built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC China).

MAERSK KARACHI on shipspotting: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2246125

Regards Peter
« Last Edit: May 15, 2015, 06:58:25 AM by PHa »

Offline PHa

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven (Update)
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2015, 06:50:50 AM »
Bremen radio station "Radio Bremen" reports, that eight containercranes (built by ZPMC China) of the Bremerhaven Container-Terminal are completely shut down for survey.

There is still a risk that metal parts can fall down, said a spokesman of the police in Bremerhaven on Friday morning. The container crane and the ship were still locked together. Throughout the day they will clarify further action to secure the scene of the accident and when they can start cleaning up and investigate the accident. The crash site is still secured provisionally by tugs. It is still unclear what exactly has been damaged. Floating crane has been ordered already.

The containercrane operator died in the crash (night from 13./14.5.2015) from a height of 50 Meters into the cargo hold of the MAERSK KARACHI.

Photo gallery:

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,676.html

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,677.html


+++

Regards Peter

« Last Edit: May 15, 2015, 07:10:54 AM by PHa »

Offline PHa

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2015, 05:24:53 AM »
Loading/discharging of containers has been continued, but totally 8 container cranes of the involved chinese ZPMC crane type (operated by NTB Bremerhaven) are closed by safety authorities for technical checks. The collapsed crane was built in 2001 and is the eldest on the terminal. Last technical check 8 month ago, terminal operator NTB said. Only 10 (of 18) cranes working, NTB stated. Black box of damaged crane is in examination by harbour police.

Normal service on that parts of the terminal, operated by BLG and Eurogate. Terminal has totally 50 container cranes.

"MAERSK KARACHI" is still blocked as the broken crane boom, crane debris and some more parts has fallen into the holds and the river alongside of the containership. Ships may pass the involved "MAERSK KARACHI" only with very low speed. Damage sum still unknown, but evidences safeguarded, RadioBremen reported.

Photo gallery:

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,676.html

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,677.html

+++

To be continued.
Regards Peter
« Last Edit: May 16, 2015, 11:10:49 AM by PHa »

Offline PHa

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2015, 10:10:24 AM »
Update:

Some additional data and information are herewith provided:

Examination of the casualty and clean-up of the casualty scene is in slow progress. Ship is still blocked by the collapsed boom of the chinese built ZPMC-crane, fallen into the open hatch down to the hatch-bottom. Boom has damaged the tanktops of the hatch-bottom (ballast tanks) and the hatch coamings. Ship has to be repaired at a dry-/floating dock. Weight of the collapsed boom-part is 160 mtons. And parts are fallen into the river Weser. Sonar examinations in progress.

Bremerhaven has a tidal range of 3,80 meters and berth is directly at the outer riverside with tidal flow.

The crane operator, died in the accident, was 52 years old and a skilled worker with 15 years of experience. His wife and children needing urgently help. Donations very welcome. Contact via http://www.ntb.eu/de/kontakt.htm  

Photo gallery:

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,676.html

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,677.html


Sources: Radio Bremen. Nordsee-Zeitung, Bremerhaven; Weser-Kurier, Bremen.

+++
Regards Peter
« Last Edit: May 17, 2015, 02:53:24 PM by PHa »

Offline PHa

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2015, 02:44:43 PM »
UPDATE:

Today morning (18.5.2015) the floating sheerleg ENAK (IMO 6826858) has removed some smaller parts of the collapsed container bridge out of the still blocked hatch of MAERSK KARACHI (IMO 9162215) at the pier of North Sea Terminals Bremerhaven (NTB). Crane was assisted by tugs STIER (IMO 8912209) and STEINBOCK (IMO 7612644). Salvage work will be continued.

Regards Peter

On shipspotting:

ENAK - IMO 6826858 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2175074
STIER - IMO 8912209 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2086640
STEINBOCK - IMO 7612644 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1933551
MAERSK KARACHI - IMO 9162215 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2246125

Photo gallery:
http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,676.html

http://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/bildergalerie-bremerhaven-detailseite_mediagalid,677.html

« Last Edit: May 20, 2015, 04:35:26 PM by PHa »

Offline PHa

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2015, 03:51:10 PM »
Ship happens: Now fire onboard the MAERSK KARACHI at Bremerhaven.

Today fire broke out during welding works onboard of MAERSK KARACHI. Fire still not under control. 70 firefighters and four firefighting-boats in action.

More in german language plus video:

http://www.radiobremen.de/nachrichten/kurz_notiert/schiff-feuer100.html

Regards Peter
« Last Edit: May 22, 2015, 07:39:37 PM by PHa »

Offline Captain Ted

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2015, 07:59:20 PM »
that's all what they need now !!!   :(
NOW!!!,,,if we could get rid of the sailors,,how safe shipping would be !!!!!!!!

Offline Andrew (Aushiker)

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2015, 03:20:36 AM »
Coming from Australia we have a perception of excellent German engineering so I am surprised to see that this (1) a Chinese built crane (guess economics at play here) and (2) that rigorous certification was not in place to avoid such a tragic outcome.

Very sad for the man and his family :(

Andrew


Offline davidships

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2015, 08:26:27 AM »
Good engineering and an effective regulatory/inspection regime do not mean that there will never be any failures.  There are a number of possible causes.  There will clearly be an thorough investigation by the German authorities, so I prefer to await that rather than make assumptions.


Offline Jens Boldt

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2015, 01:55:59 PM »
Thanks for keeping us up to date with the ongoings at Bremerhaven, Peter!

Offline PHa

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #11 on: May 24, 2015, 06:48:09 AM »
Fire extinguished on saturday, no firefighters injured, hold bottom flooded with water and estinguishing media, must be checked before pumping water into the river to avoid pollution. Salvage of broken boom of container bridge will now begin on Monday. Waterway traffic alongside terminal must completely stopped to avoid swell for maybe a day. "MAERSK KALKUTTA" still blocked on quayside. A very expensive accident!
Regards Peter

Sources: Radio Bremen, Weser-Kurier, Bremen.
« Last Edit: May 24, 2015, 06:50:28 AM by PHa »

Offline MO Roy

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Re: Tragic accident at Bremerhaven
« Reply #12 on: June 02, 2015, 08:28:59 AM »
Anyone any update?
I assume she will be there for a while. But for instance is the crane-boom already removed and/or has the water already been pumped out?
Here on board the news is scarce....
Cheers,
Roy

 

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