Huge Floating Crane Lifts Bridges and Submarines

Like some Godzilla monster, the giant crane looms over the city

Early in the morning it arrives at the city dock to begin the bridge construction for the man-made island in Kagoshima bay. Boom length: 132m. Lifting capacity: 3700 tons!
It's "Yoshida" - Japanese biggest floating crane, built by Mitsubishi heavy Industries Division.

Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan

The task is to lift the whole bridge sections, each weighing approx. 3500 tonnes.

Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan

Each hook is 10 meters tall. The workers around it look as small as ants.
Some 800 steps lead to the tip of the boom, to the small cabin on the top.

Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan


Another day's job -
transporting a submarine

The Japanese submarine SS-600 Mochishio is lifted at the Kobe Kawasaki yard. The Mochishio is the last of the Oyashio-class and is approximately 84m in length. (thanks JB for info)

Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Sources: Jikki, Nifty

Safety First!

Large shipping cranes...

Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan

or crane vessels...

Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan

all require lots of TLC in operation, as the following unfortunate example demonstrates:
(more pics here)

Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan
Ships, Heavy Machinery, Japan

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