Preliminary investigations by Saipem have suggested that a failure to the main block wire was to blame for a lifting accident on its crane ship S7000 yesterday.
The Italian marine contractor said “it would appear that the main block wire broke during the test lifting operation and the testing load” off the coast of Amoyfjorden in Norway.
As a result, a two cargo barge lifting load and the main block were released in the water, the company said in an updated statement following the incident.
After an initial tilting caused by the load release, S7000 “promptly returned in a stable position and safe condition”.
“A crane assessment is ongoing.”
The failure occurred while “performing (of) the planned 5 years main cranes load test, under the attendance of Classification Authority” (DNV).
S7000 has completed DP trials as per the DNV testing program, added the company.
“Nobody was injured during the incident,” said a statement.
Saipem 7000 was scheduled this month to return to foundation installation work at the 1.1GW Seagreen offshore wind farm off Scotland, after undergoing planned maintenance and inspection in the Netherlands.