🚢 Port & Marine Equipment
Floating Crane Inspection & Certification in Saudi Arabia
A floating crane is a crane mounted on a barge or pontoon that lifts heavy modules, piles and marine structures from the water or alongside vessels and quays. They are used for port construction, offshore and coastal fabrication, bridge and jetty work and heavy cargo lifts along Saudi coastlines in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea. Because both the crane and the vessel affect safety, an independent examination reviews structural integrity, ballast and stability arrangements and the load chart as a combined system.
What we inspect on a floating crane
- ✓Slew ring bearing, boom, boom pins, A-frame or gantry and counterweight checked for cracks, play and structural condition
- ✓Main and auxiliary hoist wire ropes measured for broken wires, diameter reduction and corrosion, with sheaves, drums and rope termination checked
- ✓Pontoon or barge hull, deck structure and crane pedestal inspected for corrosion, cracks and visible thickness loss, with ultrasonic thickness gauging where required
- ✓Ballast system, pumps, valves, tank vents and heel and trim indicators tested for correct operation
- ✓Load chart and rated capacity indicator verified against vessel trim and heel limits and the boom radius in use
- ✓Mooring arrangements, winches, spud legs or anchor handling gear checked for condition and adequacy
- ✓Hoist, slew and luff brakes, limit switches and emergency stops functionally tested
- ✓Hydraulic power packs, generator and electrical installations checked, along with fire protection and lifesaving equipment on the barge
Common defects we find
- ✓Hull and deck plating wasted by corrosion around the crane pedestal
- ✓Ballast valve or pump faults that limit trim and heel control
- ✓Wear and play in the slew ring and boom pin connections
- ✓Wire ropes damaged by drum crushing or kinking after offshore use
- ✓Load charts and rated capacity indicators that do not account for heel or sea-state derating
Risks of operating uncertified
- ✓Barge heeling or capsizing during a lift because ballast control or load chart limits are not respected
- ✓Crane structure or rope failure while lifting heavy loads over water or personnel
- ✓Loss of position in wind and current when mooring or spud arrangements are inadequate
Testing, standards & frequency
Load / performance test
A load test is typically carried out with certified test weights or calibrated load cells at 100% to 125% of rated capacity depending on the standard and client, at representative boom radii and with heel and trim recorded. The test confirms hoisting, slewing, braking and the load indicator, and may be witnessed with the vessel's ballast operating.
Inspection interval
Typically at least annually, with a thorough examination before mobilisation to a new site, after major repair and more frequent re-inspection where client or class requirements apply.
Standards referenced
- ASME B30.8 (floating cranes and floating derricks)
- ISO 9927-1 (cranes, inspections, general)
- ISO 4309 (wire ropes, examination and discard criteria)
- Manufacturer specifications and load charts
Part of our Crane Inspection & Certification service. You receive an inspection report, Certificate of Conformity and inspection tag for passing equipment.
Industries using this equipment
FAQs
Who inspects a floating crane, the crane or the vessel?＋
Both matter. A crane examination looks at the crane, ropes, brakes and load charts, while hull, ballast and stability are usually covered by marine surveys or class where the vessel is classed. Clients often ask for both before a critical lift.
How is a floating crane load tested?＋
The crane is tested with certified weights or measured loads at selected radii while heel and trim are recorded and ballast is managed. The test confirms capacity, brakes and the indicator readings as a combined crane and vessel system.