The UK P&I Club has released the latest video in its online ‘Ask an Expert’ series, discussing the dangers and implications of crane wire failure for shipowners, charterers, and crew members.
Featuring Anuj Velankar, Senior Loss Prevention Advisor at the UK P&I Club, and Kim Chua, Chartered Engineer and Metallurgist at Brookes Bell, the video outlines the following topics:
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• Examples of crane wire failures
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• Post-incident inspection
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• Testing
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• Reference documents for maintenance requirements and discard criteria
Kim highlights the types of crane wire rope failures, such as dangling wires with frayed ends. She emphasizes the importance of inspection and testing as neglect can potentially lead to loss of life and there have been many cases that have resulted in damage to equipment, ship structures, and loss of cargoes.
Brookes Bell’s metallurgist Kim Chua urges the crew to take plenty of photos during or immediately after an incident and to carry out necessary sampling of the failed wire prior to a more definitive conclusion. It’s also integral to take a look at the reference documents available for maintenance requirements and discard criteria. There you can find information on how to maintain the wire rope to ensure its durability during its service life and the discard criteria help assess the condition of the wire ropes to determine when the wire rope should be replaced.
