Watch: Wind Turbine Installation Vessel Knocks Over 25-Tonne Crane During Testing At Navantia Shipyard

The Brave Tern, a wind turbine installation vessel, has hit a crane while undergoing a major upgrade at the Navantia Ferrol shipyard in Spain.

The vessel’s new crane accidentally knocked over a 25-tonne mobile crane on the quayside during final testing on Saturday morning.

The crane fell onto a small barge, but luckily, no one was injured, and there were no further risks to people or property. Built in 2012, Brave Tern is undergoing an upgrade to handle larger wind turbines.

The vessel’s crane, which was replaced as part of the upgrade, has a capacity of 1,600 tonnes and is designed to install turbines with over 15 MW capacity.

The upgrade project is being managed by Fred. Olsen Windcarrier (FOWIC), with Navantia carrying out the work.

Navantia Ferrol. Esta madrugada: pic.twitter.com/t9nBBlBoEa

— Ferrol First (@FerrolFirst) November 23, 2024

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On the morning of the incident, Brave Tern was preparing to leave the pier when its large crane boom got caught on one of the mobile cranes on the quay.

This caused the crane to topple, though its cab and pedestal stayed out of the water. After the collision, Brave Tern briefly anchored before returning to the pier. As of Tuesday morning, the vessel remained docked at the shipyard.

Carlos Diaz, a Navantia executive, told the local newspaper La Voz de Galicia that the incident was caused by a “calculation error in the manoeuvre” and confirmed it wasn’t due to wind or any other factors.

He assured the public that the situation was contained and posed no further risk.

The mishap hasn’t delayed the upgrade project, which started in January 2024. Brave Tern is expected to remain at the shipyard for about seven months, with work continuing on the dry dock and repair berths.

As for the toppled crane, salvage plans are still to be determined. However, with Brave Tern nearby and equipped with heavy-lift capacity, it may play a role in recovering the crane.