28.10.2015

Crane strikes Hong airport bridge

A floating crane being towed by a tug struck the Kap Shui Mun Bridge in Hong Kong on Friday, temporarily blocking access to the airport on Lantau Island.

It seems that the captain of the tugboat was towing the crane, from the Lantau construction site of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge after it had broken down, to the Yau Ma Tei typhoon shelter. Reports suggest that he was aware that the crane was at least three metres higher than the bridge's 41 metre height restriction and due to its mechanical fault, the crane boom could not be lowered.
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The culprit - a broken down floating crane

The captain apparently did so in order to cut around 45 minutes off the longer alternative route under the Tsing Ma Bridge, which has a height restriction of 53 metres. He claimed to know that the actual clearance height of the bridge was 47 metres. However he did not take into consideration the high tide and choppy water. The crane boom hit part of the bridge setting off its alarm and triggering a two hour closure.
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A Barin AB 23/SL checks the bridge for damage

The tug captain and the two man crew aboard the crane barge were arrested, the maximum penalty for each person is HK$10,000 ($1,300) and six months' imprisonment, although if charged with criminal damage they could face 10 years in jail.

A Barin AB 23/SL underbridge inspection platform has been brought in to ensure that all is fine under the bridge and possibly help with any repairs.
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The narrow jacking leaves room for traffic

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The damage was not bad enough to keep the bridge closed