I belong to two yacht clubs, both with small cranes. The Miles River club's
crane is only rated for 2000 pounds, thus is used by the Star fleet and a
couple of light keel boats, boat owners operate it and the only problem is too
many of them at one place at one time.
At Tred Avon, the crane is good for 6000 and is used by a few heavier boats,
the club has a fleet of club owned Ideal 18's. The owners of a fleet of
Shields, a couple of J-80's, Melges 24, J-24, etc. use it and have been
'taught' by the other club members. Nothing heavy enough to cause major damage
and few people use it to set masts - those that are set are quite light -
anything bigger than that goes to real cranes at nearby boatyards. Plus, there
are a lot of club 'regulars' around for assistance.
Gary Nylander
Maryland
----- Original Message -----
From: Knowles Rich
To: cnc-list Cnc-List
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 10:40 PM
Subject: Re: Stus-List Use of Cranes at Yacht Clubs
Thanks for this Bob. Agreed on most points. I was simply trying to find out
what others are doing. We have had a few accidents over the years that could
have been avoided if the individuals involved had had a bit of common sense or
instruction, the latter being easier to administer.
We met tonight and I think we have a pretty good handle on where we are
going. No major deviations but some tightening up on who and how.
Cheers
Rich Knowles
INDIGO LF38
Halifax, NS.
On 2013-06-26, at 11:30 PM, Robert Abbott <robertabb...@eastlink.ca> wrote:
Rich:
Regarding the use of the spar and jib cranes at our club, I believe the
existing practices and policies are working quite well. There is no 'official
certification' or 'regulatory course' or 'spar/jib crane operator's card'
regarding the use of these cranes imposed upon the club and its members by any
govt entity .....nothing like a Small Pleasure Craft Operator's Card or
driver's license. There is the 'certification of inspection' of the actual
cranes under the Elevator and Lifts Act by the Department of Labor but it
doesn't license and/or authorize who can use the cranes. Therefore, that's why
the club has its own practices and policies.....we are self governing in this
matter.
First the spar crane, let assume there are approx. 250 'masts' at the
club..... I estimate 60% to 70% are stepped/unstepped by 'contractors'. One
contractor alone does approx. 100 yearly. These contractors appear to be very
competent, but again, even they do not hold any 'official certification'.
Then there are the masts serviced directly by 'owners' with their helpers.
Many or most of these owners have been doing this for years and are just as
competent/skilled as the contractors.
This leaves the 'fringe group'....who are they and how many? Probably not a
lot, if any, and probably do not have big masts. And if they do have big masts
with no experience, they probably wouldn't even attempt to do the mast. As you
know, if you don't know what you are doing, it can be quite intimidating.
How many of these have the Waterfront Committee, or the yard staff,
witnessed? It has been my experience, if the yard manager and staff observe
the slightest area of concern when a 'crew' is servicing a mast, they
intervene. The most common infraction I see is someone not wearing a 'hard hat'
and when the yard staff observe it, they immediately intervene.
Regarding the jib crane, again 'no official certification'....it's use is
almost exclusively by boat owners. The 'yard staff' use it on a regular basis
but they do not hold any 'official certification.' In my opinion, the majority
of boats owners using the spar crane can do it better than the yard
staff.....they do it on a regular basis....many weekly.
Maybe the old saying comes into play here...."If it ain't broke, don't fix
it".
Maybe from a liability perspective, anyone using these cranes must sign a
waiver.....club not responsible for members' use of cranes....make it an
automatic part of club membership like buying a ski ticket.....this way, there
is no extra administration involved for anyone.
Bob Abbott
AZURA
C&C 32 - 84
Halifax, N.S.
On 2013/06/26 12:39 PM, Knowles Rich wrote:
I'm on the Waterfront Committee at our yacht club and am reviewing the
club's policies relating to use of the spar and jib cranes. The spar crane's
capacity is 1,400# and the jib crane's 10,000#. The club permits members to
work on their own boats including re and re spars and launching and retrieving
boats that can be lifted by the jib crane. Many of the boats such as J24's that
fit within the jib crane's capacity are dry sailed.
Our current practise is for members and know contractors to attend a
briefing course on both cranes at least once every two years before they be
allowed to use them. We have the usual cordoned off areas and hard hat rules.
There are infrequent almost-accidents, occasional minor gear and boat
damage and an accompanying ongoing concern about safety. The one serious
accident that I can recall involved a member getting whacked in the head by an
errant mast. His hard head saved him, but he did have to wear a neck brace for
some time. He was fortunate.
Your comments are welcome.
Rich.
Rich Knowles
INDIGO LF38
Halifax, NS.
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