Crane collapses after being hit by the ZHEN HUA

[rebelpaul]

At around 2:00 am on the 1st of march 2008 the ZHEN HUA  ZPMC ship slipped its moorings on the landguard terminal at the port of felixstowe striking a ship to shore crane and the crane collapsed. the ship was being battered by winds of around 85mph and was loaded with ship to shore cranes at the time of the accident.

[Ben Backstay]

2 cranes from the Landguard terminal have appeared to have collapsed and the ship is sitting on the beach at the south end of the berth.
I have a narrative and a series of pictures this morning in the "Port News" section of my website.

www.harwichhavenshipsandyachts.com.

Better pics will follow later in the day when the sun moves

[Guest]

rebelpaul wrote:
At around 2:00 am on the 1st of march 2008 the ZHEN HUA  ZPMC ship slipped its moorings on the landguard terminal at the port of felixstowe striking a ship to shore crane and the crane collapsed. the ship was being battered by winds of around 85mph and was loaded with ship to shore cranes at the time of the accident.

This was the vessel that Chris filmed yesterday as she arrived in Felixstowe - see http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=4654&forum=1

Regards

[Guest]

This from http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/default/:

"Gales cause chaos in county
01 March 2008 | 08:01

GALE-force winds of up to 60mph caused chaos across the county today, with scores of accidents reported and cranes crashing down at the Port of Felixstowe.

At the Port of Felixstowe the high winds led to two new ship to shore cranes crashing on top of older cranes at the Landguard port at about 1.30am after the ship delivering them broke its moorings.

A ship, the Zhen Hua 23, arrived at the port yesterday carrying three new high-rise quayside cranes for Britain's busiest container terminal, the first part of a consignment of

[Nathan]

Hi Steve,
            Looks like the winds are causing havoc all over, the KOS at the Tyne and now the vessel at Felixstowe! I am really suprised it managed to collapse several cranes, must of hit with some force!
- Coatham

[miraflores]

Now the second time a ZHEN HUA vessel has problems with the stormy weather. I think the captain has many questions to answer.
Rgds.
Juergen

[Nathan]

Indeed the blame will probably lay on the captains shoulders. But i dont think that he should be blamed for the wind and the way the vessel was moored?
- Coatham

[miraflores]

They may probably tell him that he had to fasten the ship with more moorings in advance of the strong winds.
Rgds.
Juergen

[Ben Backstay]

New photos have been added showing the collapsed cranes on the quay.
visit "Port news" in the forum section of www.harwichhavenshipsandyachts.com

[Guest]

Hi PilotB10

Nice set of close ups of the resultant damage
http://www.harwichhavenshipsandyachts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=324

Bet that will take some sorting out  :-o

Regards

[Nathan]

Amazing images! Good job no body was injured or even killed!
Looks like that dock going to be out of action for a while.
- Coatham

[henrycourt]

Surely this ship was in the control of a pilot when berthing !!!! Perhaps someone with far greater knowledge than me could tell us who exactly is responsible for how many lines are put out when berthing, in a port situation. Rgds jw.

[Guest]

henrycourt wrote:
Surely this ship was in the control of a pilot when berthing !!!! Perhaps someone with far greater knowledge than me could tell us who exactly is responsible for how many lines are put out when berthing, in a port situation. Rgds jw.

Hi John

The mooring broke at 01.30 - well after the Pilot had departed the scene - I cannot see how any finger of blame could possible be pointed in that direction.

A direct quote from the Pilot Magazine Online @ http://www.pilotmag.co.uk/career.aspx

'The Captain (Master) always has command of the ship and thus has ultimate responsibility for the safety of the ship, its cargo and crew. The pilot has the conduct of the ship in the pilotage district and upon boarding a vessel provides a passage plan for the transit and directs the course and speed of the vessel to execute the passage plan.'

The buck stops with the Skipper, after all they were his ropes that parted and thus his responsibility.

Regards

[Guest]

Hi All

I hadn't realised that tis accident caused the whole Port of Felixstowe to be closed down.

This from http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/default/

"Port of Felixstowe closed due to wind
01 March 2008 | 13:25

AN INVESTIGATION is due to take place following the collapse of two cranes at the Port of Felixstowe.

The port is still closed because of high winds, which caused havoc across the county overnight.

One of the new ships to shore cranes crashed on top of an older crane at the Landguard port at about 1.30am today after the ship delivering them broke its moorings.

The Landguard port is sealed off while the parts of the crane are recovered and the Landguard viewing area has also been closed as a precaution. Trinity Terminal remains closed due to high winds.

Employees at the port are on hand to begin work again once it is declared safe enough.

Several containers were also brought down due to the wind, many of which are believed to be empty.

Paul Davey, head of corporate affairs for the port, said:

[Tim]

QUOTE

Perhaps someone with far greater knowledge than me could tell us who exactly is responsible for how many lines are put out when berthing, in a port situation.

UNQUOTE

The master is responsible for the safety of the ship. He has the authority (so called "overriding authority") to take whatever action he believes is necessary to ensure the safety of the crew, the vessel, the cargo and the environment.

The storm didn't came out of the blue, so he must arrange for additional safety measures. That can be additional mooring lines (ship & shore) or assisstance by tugs.

Another question will be the condition of the mooring lines. Were the ropes still in good condition? Or have they been worn out? Had new ones been ordered but not delivered by the company in order to save money? Have the mooring ropes been properly fastened on board (over the bollards, not over the gypsy heads etc)?

Surely be a point the investigation will have a look at.

Greetings from Bremen,

Tim

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