The engine room crane consists of a motor coupled with wire drum so that the motor can lift or lower the crane hoist by winding or unwinding the wire over the drum. The whole system is then fitted in a trolley.

Two pathways are built with a rack and pinion arrangement, both in transverse and longitudinal direction of the engine room and over the main engine, where the trolley is placed so that the whole unit can move fore-aft and port starboard.

A remote is provided so that the crane can be operated from any position, thus allowing the user to keep a safe distance from the lifted load. It is the duty of the responsible engineer onboard to operate the crane and to have regular checks on the safety and working of the crane. Second engineer is responsible for operation, maintenance, and safety checks of the engine room crane.

Safety Features of Engine Room Crane:

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1) The most important safety feature of the crane is the electromagnetic fail-safe brakes which do not allow the crane to fall with the load even when there is failure of power. For this:

– Normally centrifugal brakes are fitted inside the rotating drum.

– The brake pads are always in applied state and pushed by magnetic springs when not in operation or when there is a power failure.

– As the crane is operated or the power is supplied, the spring gets pulled inward or compressed due to the electromagnetic effect of the current. This allows the crane to be operated normally.

2) Emergency stop is provided in the remote so that the operator can stop the crane at any time.

3) The motor is fitted with distance limit switch in both transverse and longitudinal direction so that the travel of the trolley limited and hence crane should not overshoot the rack’s end.

4) Mechanical stoppers are provided for both directions in case the electrical distance limit trips fail.

5) The up and down travel of the hook is also attaches with automatic stopper to avoid overloading of the motor.

6) The motor is fitted with thermal protection trip. When the motor windings get overheated, trip will activate saving the motor winding from burning.

7) Load limit switch is also fitted which will trip the motor if the load to be lifted is above the crane capacity.

Operational safety checks

1) It’s the responsibility of senior officers to operate the crane and to make sure all the personnel involve in any lifting operation are at a safe distance during operation of the crane.

2) Additional tools like eye-bolts, shackle, wire sling, belts etc. used for lifting must be checked before use.

3) It should be noted that no one walks or stand below the crane when it is in the loaded condition.

1) Daily checks

• Check the lubrication
• Check the noise level by operating the crane without load
• Check the heat generation
• Check all the limits and trips are working properly
• Check the contact areas of electrical equipment
• Check the brake operation
• Check condition of clamp in the hook

2) PMS

• Overhauling of motor
• Greasing of wires
• Renewal of wire ropes
• Annual survey
• Load test
• Grease: Wire ropes, rollers, plain bearings are applied with grease for smooth working.
• Oil: Lube oil is used for lubrication of ball bearing and roller bearing of hoisting and slewing gears. Check the oil level regularly and replenish once the level is below the mark.
• Inspect the wire rope for twisting, any unstable, any fracture
• Inspect The Gears: for any noise, damage on teeth
• Check Condition Of Sheave/pulley
• Hook condition
• Brake condition: The engine room crane is equipped with electromagnetic brake with fail-safe arrangement. This is the most important safety arrangement provided in the crane.