Heather A C2 Crane

Project Background

Sparrows Offshore have contracted HAKI Access to design, engineer and install a variety of bespoke access solutions for various work scopes across the UK North Sea.
The overall aim of this work scope was to change out the main winch drum and to achieve this, a temporary davit crane and associated supporting temporary steelwork was to be lifted into place and supported during its construction.

Client Initial Specified Work Scope

Sparrows requested we install a small suspended access platform to the underside of the boom and erect a simple lifting frame from this with ladder beams to allow the components of the crane and steelwork to be lifted into place.

Our Solution

HAKI utilised the a small QuikDeck suspended access platform. This was built at deck level, lifted into place and the operatives utilised its cantilevering abilities to swing out further sections of platform to the underside of the cab and in against the pedestal when at height. This was all constructed at deck level and secured to the main platform for the lift.

Completed Installation

The platform served a dual purpose in giving the Sparrows team useful access to the winch drum fixings but also gave our team a platform to erect the lifting frame from. The lifting frame featured a single boarded lift to allow operatives to easily install rigging kit, and once the davit was installed, the frame could be struck to lift level to allow the crane free movement for the drum changeout. The frame was then rebuilt to facilitate the removal of the davit crane and it’s supporting temporary steelwork before a final removal of the system.

Safety & Commercial Benefits

The full installation was completed by a team of 4 operatives in 3 shifts, a 60% time saving compared to the traditional approach of building from weather deck level to the underside of the boom, before erecting the lifting frame. In addition to the labour costs saved, there was a direct reduction in operative time spent working at height and the risks associated with this.

Further cost savings to the labour profile of the job were offered by retaining a member of the HAKI Access team on for the duration of the work scope to allow for unplanned modifications to the build. For this project the operative was also a trained rigger and so was able to contribute to the wider work scope in addition to the maintenance of the temporary works supplied by HAKI Access.

From a broader perspective, the positive relationship between Span and Sparrows and a willingness from both sides across all levels to buy into this collaborative approach has resulted in a fundamental change in the way Sparrows plan and execute their crane maintenance works.