16 Cranes in a marine environment

In-shore and off-shore,

operating cranes from a
vessel or barge gives
additional dynamics to
the operation. Learn the
differences and
understand how to
access and deal with
these differences.

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 1

Module Summary

– Juliana Bridge, Alphen aan den Rijn, August 2015 – Lifting of personnel.
– Juliana Bridge, The lift plan step 1 – Lifting of personnel
– Juliana Bridge, The lift plan step 2 – LOLER lifting operations and lifting equipment
– Juliana Bridge, how it was executed. regulations
– Juliana Bridge, conclusions from the Dutch Safety – IMCA Guidelines for Lifting Operation
Board – Equipment Selection
– Differences between land and marine and – Possible safety measures to be considered
offshore cranes. – Degrading lifting curves
– Dynamic Amplification Factors (DAF) in air – Down graded lifting curves depending on Hs
– DAF in water lifting through the splash zone – Barge limitations:
– Lifting through the splash zone – Local deck strength
– Lifting through the splash zone, slamming. – Environmental limitations
– Lifting through the splash zone; varying buoyancy – Limitations on the workability:
– Lifting through the splash zone; inertia force – Risk assessment (1)
– Lifting through the splash zone; drag and friction. – Risk assessment (2)
– Lifting through the splash zone
– Lifting through the splash zone; what method to
use?
– Do we need a lift plan?

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 2

Juliana Bridge, Alphen aan den Rijn, August 2015

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 3

Juliana Bridge, The lift plan step 1

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 4

Juliana Bridge, The lift plan step 2

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 5

Juliana Bridge, how it was executed.

What can we note already:

– Weight is 182 mT but CoG location not indicated.
– No stability calculations made for barges although it was even mentioned in the risk assessment.
– It is not mentioned how to rotate the bridge deck.
– Only one revision of project execution plan which is final and for information at the same time

Execution of the operation

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 6

 Juliana Bridge, conclusions from the Dutch Safety Board

Our own calculations showed that stability was to small to work with but did not show that the system
would capsize so why does the Dutch Safety Board concludes that “even when the lifting calculations
had been carried out faultlessly, an accident could not have been avoided.” The flexibility of the crane
has a negative impact to the stability of the barge.
You CAN NOT compensate for heel by ballasting when GM is close to 0m
The flexibility of the telescopic crane boom works a spring that controls the cog of the cargo. As a result,
the CoG of the cargo does
not appear at the top of the
Effect on cargo shift when secured by
crane but higher.
springs In this case it was about
12m resulting in a GM
reduction of 1m

Rigid constrained load

Blue rigid crane

Spring constrained load Red flexible crane
h = imaginary extra boom length.

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 7

Differences between land and marine and offshore cranes.

While verticality is very important for land cranes,
marine and offshore cranes are designed for lateral Crawler crane on a barge
loads and working in a dynamic environment.
We distinguish:
1. marine cranes,
2. offshore cranes and
3. land cranes operated from a barge or vessel.
Marine cranes are the ‘standard’ cranes on board
vessel for which a heel of 5° and a trim of 2° are
assumed.
Offshore crane are unique and almost every new
build crane is a one-off.
The functional requirement and limits are given by
Derrick boom
the crane supplier and agreed in cooperation with
the user.

Jack-up barge creates a static

2x7000 mT offshore crane Telescopic boom Marine crane base for the crane
May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 8
Dynamic Amplification Factors (DAF) in air
A mayor difference between onshore lifting is that we now have an operation
from a fixed environment to a moving environment or vice versa. Also from
one moving environment to another moving environment is possible.
The movements of the vessel(s) or barge(s) amplifies the forces acting on the
load. The DAF can be expressed as: dynamic load + static load
DAF =
static load

The dynamic load is a load is subject to additional dynamic forces such as: in
water and going through the splash zone. These loads are affected by the
shape, size, weight, contents, vessel motions etc. Going through the splash
The DAF should for major offshore lifts be established on the basis of a zone
dynamic analysis, considering the effects in.
DNV-GL considers as minimum factors for lifts:
SHL (Static Hook ONSHORE INSHORE OFFSHORE
Load) From Quay to From crane vessel to barge/ship in from barge/ship
barge/ship. sheltered waters to a fixed platform
3 – 100 t 1.10 1.07+0.05 100/SHL 1+0.25 100/SHL
100 - 300 t 1.05 1.12 1.25
300 - 1000 t 1.05 1.10 1.20
1000 - 2500 t 1.03 1.08 1.15
> 2500 t 1.03 1.05 1.10
May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 9

DAF in water lifting through the splash zone

A typical subsea lift consists of the following main
phases:
In air, lift off from deck and maneuvering an object
clear of transportation vessel and then,
1. lowering through the wave zone,
2. further lowering down to sea bed and
3. positioning and landing.

All phases of a subsea lift operation should be

evaluated.
For lifting in water we Fline = force in hoisting line/cable
can find a simplified W0 = weight of object (in air)
method in DNVGL-RP- FB = buoyancy force
N103 “Modelling and Fc = steady force due to current
Analysis of Marine
Operations” FI = inertia force
Both Simplified Methods Fwd = wave damping force
Fd = drag force
Fw = wave excitation force
Fs = slamming force
Fe = water exit force.
May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 10
 Lifting through the splash zone
The various phases when lifting through the splash zone. DAF
to be <2 to ensure force > 0 and avoid slack wires.
Dynamic force
Submerged Weight
Weight in air
Force

Time
0

Structure in air Structure touches Structure almost Structure fully

(vessel motions) water (vessel submerged (vessel submerged (vessel
motions and motions, slamming motions and drag)
slamming) and drag)
May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 11

Lifting through the splash zone, slamming.

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 12

Lifting through the splash zone; varying buoyancy

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 13

Lifting through the splash zone; inertia force

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 14

Lifting through the splash zone; drag and friction.

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 15

Lifting through the splash zone

The resulting force

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 16

Lifting through the splash zone

The required input

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 17

Lifting through the splash zone

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 18

Lifting through the splash zone

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 19

Lifting through the splash zone

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 20

Lifting through the splash zone; what method to use?
Loads depend on:
– vessel motions,
– location of crane tip,
– wave pattern,
– object weight in air,
– object weight in water,
– object geometry and
– object orientation.
Simple
Generic lifts: Covered by vessel TRA
(ROV basket, Gabion bags, concrete
mattresses etc.)
Small structures: Generally analyzed in
Macsi or similar
(Protection covers, SLP, small PLEMS, PLETS
etc.)

Intermediate size structures: Analyzed in

OrcaFlex or by the simplified method
(PLEMS, PLETS, Riser Bases, Satellites etc.)

Large / Complex / difficult structure CFD.

(Foundations, templates, manifolds etc.)

Complex

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 21

Do we need a lift plan?

Yes, any lift offshore needs to be planned. A lifting operation involves storing and releasing
energy and always contains risks. By planning the lift, we can:
– Ensure that the risk are assessed, controlled and if possible eliminated.
– Give time to consider how?
– Find suitable equipment and competent persons
– Get responsibilities clear
– Evaluate interference with other operations
(SIMOPS)

Tugger lines are

used to control
the hoist.
For big hoists, the
tugger lines are
on the winch

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 22

 Lifting of personnel.

Personnel Rated Loads (API Spec 2C / USA Billy Pugh

law)
– All hooks used for support of personnel shall
have an operable latch to prevent the
personnel basket sling from coming off the
hook accidentally.
– The rated load when handling personnel
shall be the least of 1/3 of the calculated
SWL for non-personnel load rating
– The design factor of load hoist wire rope Billy Pugh
when handling personnel shall not be less
than 10.
LOLER
– Clutches or other means of disengaging the
drive train are prohibited for personnel-
lifting operations.
– during transfer over the sea, passengers are
provided with survival suits and life jackets of
an approved type.
Crew Basket training is supplied in addition to Frog
BOSIET/FOET or HUET

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 23

Lifting of personnel

q Prevention of person(s) becoming stuck/trapped

q Prevention of person(s) falling/being crushed
q Communications between passengers/operator
q Suitability of equipment and accessories
q Environmental hazards
q Correct PPE/harnesses/etc.
q Trained/competent personnel
q Certification/pre-use checks
q Vessel-/site-specific procedures
q Equipment secured in transporter
q Efficient means of rescue
q Limiting conditions of use

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 24

 LOLER lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations
LOLER is legislation and most
Source: www.dbd-data.co.uk
be adhered to within its
jurisdiction.
LOLER applies to all:
– Locations covered by the
Health and Safety at Work
Act
– Offshore installations
within UK territorial waters
and the UKCS (United
Kingdom Continental Shelf

I Applies to the following:

– Any employer whose personnel are
employed to use lifting equipment
– Self-employed personnel using own or
other company's lifting equipment

IACS; the International Association of Classification Societies

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 25

IMCA Guidelines for Lifting Operation

IMCA is an international association with around 1,000 members operating in over
60 countries. The value proposition is to influence our industry in key technical,
contractual, policy and regulatory matters that are in the best interest of the marine
contracting industry.

International
Marine
Contractors
Association

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 26

Equipment Selection

•Select equipment that is fit for purpose

•Equipment must be certified and have operating instructions
•Factors to considered
•Purpose(s) of use,
•Technical specification and operating parameters,
•Location of use, environmental and ergonomic factors,
•competency of personnel using equipment,
•Approved Safe use and operating instructions,
•Maintenance, Test and Inspection Recommendations,
•Stability, installation and dismantling of equipment,
•…

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 27

Possible safety measures to be considered

A check list can be part of the lifting plan. Below an example to be completed by the competent
person
q Weight not verified
q Stability of load
q High centre of gravity
q Awkward size/shape/sharp edges q
q No dedicated lift points
q No certified suspension points for
lifting equipment
q Packing protection load/lifting
equipment/assets
q Loose objects removed from load q
q Load on pallet requires securing q
q Tag lines required
q Buoyancy of objects
q Lifting of chemicals
q Access and egress for slinging
q No lift point directly above load q
q Accessories/equipment fit for
purpose/SWL
q Lifting equipment/accessories
certificates
q Stability of lifting equipment
q Pre-use equipment checks
q Crane mode verified
q Vessel stability
Vessel ballasting required
q Lifting over
plant/equipment/assets
q Restricted head room
q Lay-down area
size/strength/stability
Route and lay-down area clear
Route and lay-down area
obstructed
q Lay-down in operational radius of q
lifting equipment
q Conflicting operations
Cultural, communication,
language issues
q Diving operations – precautions
q Emergency/rescue plans
q Environment: visibility/wind
speed/wave height/tide
q Sudden changes in environmental
conditions
q Load visibility during night/subsea
working
q Blind lifting
q Lighting pick-up and set-down
areas
q Dynamic factors involved
q Seabed suction
q Seabed conditions
q Competent and sufficient
personnel
q Suitable adequate supervision
Correct PPE
q Toolbox talk required
q Sea fastenings removed
q Pre-use equipment check

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 28

 Degrading lifting curves
Crane curves for onshore
can not be used.
‘Standard’ crane curves
assume that the crane is
on a fixed non-moving
surface.
Offshore and marine
cranes are designed to
withstand the vessel
dynamics. This means that
for offshore use, crane
curves are degraded or
cranes are considered not
suitable at all for offshore
use.
Cranes have multiple crane
curves depending on the
environmental conditions.
Telescopic land cranes are
not suitable for use in a
dynamic environment.

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 29

Down graded lifting curves depending on Hs

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 30

Barge limitations:

Free floating
– intact stability condition
– Sailing condition (boom down)
– Lifting condition (boom up with load in the hook)
• Stability range
• Wind overturning moment
• GM value
JB-117 Self
• static heel due to wind Elevating
• Static heel due to load Platform
• Crane limitations (heel max 3 deg)
Jack-up:
– Maximum leg loads during crane movements of any kind
– Soil conditions
Spud Leg Barges Lastdrager 6 with Mammoet
– maximum leg loads during crane movements of any kind, crane
– dynamic leg loads due to waves and wind
Structural strength
– Local
– Global

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 31

Local deck strength

Check for allowable deck load. The use

of heavy steel / hard wood load
spreading mats is recommended to
create a proper load spreading.

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 32

Environmental limitations

Closely monitor the

environmental conditions in the
harbour, sheltered area or
offshore
Tidal range and currents,
especially important for column
stabilized barges.
Water depth, especially
important for spud pole barges
and jack-up barges
Soil condition to be verified for
column stabilized barges and
jack-up barges
Reliable weather forecasting
– Wind data
– Wave height and period

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 33

Limitations on the workability:

Efficient communication
between parties involved

Efficient monitoring tools

Operations to be planned and

split up in workable steps.
Coordinate with other ongoing
operations. SIMPOPS

All steps should have a fall back

scenario

Operations to be executed in
workable environmental
conditions

Working on water involves

additional measures regarding
safety

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 34

 Risk assessment (1)
A risk assessment matrix like shown below can be used with the job risk assessment.
(Potential costs of loss shown could vary dependent on company and operations)
Hazard Descriptive Actual/potential Environmental Cost of
Probability rating
severity words consequences (any incident that ...) loss
category Personal illness/injury A B C D E

possible

unlikely

unlikely
likely

likely
very

very
1 Very high Fatality(s), terminal lung potentially harms or adversely affects >$1m 1 1 1 2 3
disease or permanent the general public and has the
debility potential for widespread concern
regarding the company’s operations.
Can have a serious economic liability
on the business
2 High Serious injury, poisoning, potentially harms or adversely affects >$250,000 1 1 2 2 3
sensitisation or dangerous employees and the environment at
infection the worksite. Requires specialist
expertise or resources for correction
3 Moderate Injury leading to a lost time potentially harms or adversely affects >$50,000 1 2 2 3 3
accident or persistent employees and the environment at
dermatitis or acne the worksite. Requires general
expertise or resources for correction
4 Slight Minor injury requiring first presents limited harm to the >$10,000 2 2 3 3 3
aid treatment or headache, environment and requires general
nausea, dizziness, mild expertise or resources for correction
rashes
5 Negligible Negligible injury or health presents limited harm to the >$10,000 2 3 3 3 3
implications, no absence environment
from work and requires minor corrective action
May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 35

Risk assessment (2)

There are various moments to identify risks.
HIRA Hazard identification and risk assessment
JRA Job Risk Assessment
TRA Task Risk Assessment naming depends on the company.
JSA Job Safety Analysis

In addition, there is the Equipment Risk Assessment which is part of the JRA.
Keywords to help with the
equipment risk assessment are
q Is the equipment designed for
this type of lift?
q Have any modifications been
made to the equipment?
q Could alarm settings require
attention, e.g. if changes have
been made to wire rope length
on drums?
q strength and stability of lifting
equipment, rigging and load;
q ergonomic considerations;
q operator protection; q access and egress arrangements,
q environmental conditions; particularly in emergency situ
q location/proximity/environment q overturning and overloading;
al hazards; q other emergency situations;
q the nature of the anticipated q maintenance and inspection
load(s) (e.g. hazardous or requirements whilst in use;
dangerous substances); q dismantling and storage
q whether it involves lifting of requirements;
persons; q transportation methods for
q means of attaching/detaching continued integrity.
and securing loads;
q loading and set-down
arrangements;

May 20, 2021 www.seacamel.com 36