NMCB 40 Alfa Company Completes Rare Tandem Lift
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090418-01
Release Date: 4/18/2009 5:36:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ian Lundy, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 Public Affairs
OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 Alfa Company completed a tandem crane-lift of a 63,000-pound water tanker at Camp Shields April 9.
A tandem lift uses two cranes simultaneously because the weight of the object lifted exceeds the recommended maximum lift capability of a single crane.
"This type of lift is rare and very complex," said crane crew member, Equipment Operator 2nd Class Eddie Nixon.
The lift allowed the Seabees to place the 8,000-gallon tanker onto a trailer hauling it to the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMO) at Camp Foster.
"I haven't seen one [tandem lift] since the Gulf War," said Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) John Menzie, one of the lift supervisors.
Attention to detail, along with good operational risk management controls ensured the lift went off without a hitch.
"What made the lift complex is you have to have two cranes lifting one piece of equipment. If one crane goes faster than the other or higher than the other, you could have a serious crane accident," said Equipment Operator 2nd Class Michael Hamlin.
"It was the most nerve-wracking thing that I've done since I've [joined] the Navy," said crane-lift crew leader Equipment Operator 1st Class Garret Jeppe.
"Commanding officers can be relieved [removed from command] because of crane accidents -- they're that serious."
Even though the magnitude of this lift was great and made the Seabees slightly nervous, it offered them unique training.
"Getting this kind of training is great for us and for the Naval Construciton Force, because it makes us better," said Hamlin.
Looking ahead, the crane crew is currently working on the calculations to lift a 50,000-pound cargo-handling machine for haul to DRMO.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb40/.
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