Sause Bros' barge with Hitachi crane towed to new location

Project Summary

To make room for new 4-th generation container cranes, a 25 year old Hitachi container crane needed to be relocated from one pier to another pier, both within Los Angeles port limits. The 800 t heavy crane was lifted off its rails using dollies. Propulsion was provided by two winch trucks. A 300 x 90 x 22 ft cargo barge was chartered for the move. Steel bridge pieces spanned the gap between the barge stern and the quay. On March 19, 1997, with incoming tide, the crane was rolled onto the barge and temporary secured to the deck. Next day, at the end of the outgoing tide, the crane was safely rolled off the barge and lowered onto its rails at the new pier.

Scope of Work

The project scope included:

• Modeling of the barge hull for the ballast analysis;

• Simulation of the crane roll-on and roll-off operations and optimization of ballast procedures;

• Provision of on-site assistance during actual operations and controlling of the barge ballast operations.

Project Photographs

First row of waterside dollies slowly rolled onto barge stern.	Aft row of waterside dollies rolled onto the barge stern.	Waterside of crane completely on the barge.	Crane completely on the barge stern. Ready to roll into tow position.