Liebherr starts Orion crane repair project

Liebherr has started preparations for the recovery of its HLC 295000 offshore crane on board the Orion vessel, whose hook broke this May, leaving several people injured and damaging the crane and the vessel’s deck.

The repair project, which will be completed in the course of 2021, is starting this month with crane salvage and steel construction work, since the boom and parts of the A-frame need to be manufactured from scratch.

The salvaging process will be split into three phases.

“Since the crane cannot be salvaged directly on site, the first stage involves appropriate safeguarding of the scene of the accident in order to safely shift the vessel to Berth 25 in the international Port of Rostock. In phase two, the insecure components shall be recovered to ensure controlled and safe dismantling of the crane during phase three”, Liebherr explained.

The company SARENS has been assigned with the salvage of the damaged components of the crane.

Liebherr said that comprehensive repairs are necessary during the coming months in order to put the heavy lift crane back into operation, including the steel construction work.

The installation vessel Orion, ordered by DEME, was initially scheduled to be deployed for Moray East jacket installation. Due to the unfortunate event, the vessel was replaced by Seajacks Scylla.