Cable failure linked to hoist accident at port

Posted

A cable failure caused the pulley system on the Port of Port Townsend’s 75-ton mobile hoist to drop a boat on Jan. 30. The boat is being repaired; the hoist is awaiting further inspection.

Greg Englin, director of operations and business development, reported on the accident at the Feb. 8 Port Commission meeting.

One big takeaway from the incident is how quickly and how well marine tradespeople responded to help port staff successfully lower the 60-foot fishing boat Bernice into the water without further damage.

Port commissioners and staff expressed appreciation to the marine trades businesses and individuals who promptly stepped up to help that day with equipment and fabrication skills, including Oceanview Marine Services, ACI Boats, Craftsmen United and the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op.

Mike Hogan of Oceanview was employed the following day to stabilize the hoist on the haulout dock and then “walk” it into the boatyard for inspection and possible repair.

About 10 years ago, Hogan got into hot water with port officials for working on steel boats outside established noise ordinances. Hogan still does business at the port, where he is “always there to help” other businesses, David Griswold of the Shipwrights Co-op said during the Feb. 8 meeting’s public comment period.

Hogan “really did step up,” agreed Pete Hanke, port commissioner.

No one was hurt during the accident. The state Department of Ecology responded to an estimated 25-gallon fuel spill.  No penalty was assessed. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded, and gave the port a warning, Englin reported.

“Everybody felt everybody else’s pain,” Englin said.

The fishing boat has been in the shipyard for a checkup prior to the spring commercial fishing season. The owner, Mike Deach, has brought his other commercial boat to the port as scheduled, Englin noted.

“He’s OK with the outcome,” Englin said.

It’s been at least 37 years since a port hoist was involved in an accident, Englin said. “You’re more likely to be eaten by a great white shark” than have one of the port’s hoists fail, he said, considering how many thousands of hoisting operations have gone off without a hitch during that time span.

The port’s hoist crew and maintenance staff take the accident personally, noted Sam Gibboney, port executive director.

Monthly and annual maintenance is performed on the port’s three hoists; the 75-ton machine’s annual checkup was set for March 9.

The big question: What’s the status of the damaged hoist?

One representative from the Travelift company has already seen the hoist; a structural engineer is due soon to give a more thorough inspection, Englin said. Once a survey is completed, Englin explained, the port would act on it quickly to decide if the hoist needs to be repaired or replaced.

Englin noted there are 15 lifts scheduled for the 300-ton hoist, including those of two fast ferries.

“We’re starting to see more activity in the yard,” he noted.