Marine cranes education and training is essential even for those experienced in operating basic cranes. Marine cranes work on ship docks and offshore to load and unload cargo. Because of the factor of water involved in addition to typical crane work, marine cranes present even more of a challenge to operate.

Marine cranes education and training is beneficial for offshore crane operators, workers, mechanics, and supervisors. Marine crane education is obtained in several different ways. Consider some of the following when looking for more marine cranes education and training:

1. Educational training courses offer valuable information about sea cranes.

2. Educational resources teach information about marine cranes and their operation.

3. DVD and CD-Rom media offer visuals for learning about boat cranes.

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Take courses to gain an education on marine cranes

Training and educational courses are the best way to learn a trade or skill. Courses are lengthier than seminars and offer more detailed information as well as hands-on experiences. Students learn about industrial marine cranes and their operation. Some courses features training for mechanical duties performed on commercial marine cranes.

I recommend: Adriamare offers courses in offshore crane training. The list of topics includes safety, maintenance schedules, guidelines, and more. Energy Cranes also has a course designed to educate supervisory personnel working with and around sea cranes.

Obtain marine crane training aids and resources

Training resources and aids such as seminars and kits offer quick knowledge about marine cranes. Supervisors share these resources with crane teams as education updates and refresher courses. Training aids are often less costly than educational institute courses. One also completes them in a smaller amount of time.

I recommend: The University of Texas features the opportunity to purchase a training manual that serves as an orientation for offshore crane operators. One may download the table of contents to check for topics before making the purchase. Reflex Marine has a seminar on safe practices for operating or working with a marine deck crane.

Purchase media marine crane training products

Videos and CD-ROMs offer visual teaching aids for sea crane operation. They are also less costly. One may view these products several times if needed for training. Supervisors may share a video within an entire team

I recommend: Synergy Media offers a three-hour CD-ROM training course for both new and experienced crane operators. View the contents of the CD on the website. Bharat Book Bureau offers a book in DVD format that discusses offshore crane operation.

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• •  When undergoing marine cranes education and training, consider marine crane prices. Company purchasers examining marine cranes for sale must be knowledgeable about the heavy equipment. Without proper education in pricing, they may be costly to your business.

Marine cranes come in several varieties and go by myriad names. For example, there are fixed boom, telescopic, or knuckle boom styles. Sometimes they are called boat cranes, boat deck cranes, or sea cranes. Or one might be referred to as a marine folding crane. But whatever type you're looking for, or whatever you wish to call it, there are several ways to obtain commercial marine cranes for your business.

Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to each option. Here's how to determine where to acquire commercial marine cranes for your business:

1. Choose new marine cranes if you need the highest quality possible.
2. Purchase used sea cranes if you need long-term use, but have a limited budget.
3. Lease or rent equipment if you'll only use a sea crane occasionally or don't have much capital.
   

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Choose a new marine crane for the latest technology and high quality

Since industrial marine cranes are often used in salty conditions, used cranes may be rusted. New cranes, naturally, don't have this fault. In addition, you have access to the very latest technology when you buy new cranes. In short, buying is a great option if your business is well established and you know the cranes will be used for many years to come.

I recommend: Allied Systems Company manufactures some of the finest quality marine cranes on the market; they are also known for space-saving and custom designs. Blue Ocean Tackle Inc. offers electro hydraulic marine cranes designed for longevity and ease of maintenance. DMW Marine, LLC distributes Palfinger Marine Cranes, which include military cranes, offshore, and barge cranes.

Select used marine cranes for smaller budgets

Buying used heavy duty marine cranes has its advantages, too. By choosing carefully, you can purchase good-condition, reliable marine cranes at a small fraction of the cost of new. It's a great idea to buy used industrial sea cranes if your business is small- to medium-sized and you (or an employee) are familiar enough with equipment to accurately assess condition.

I recommend: Pine Hill Equipment Inc. sells quality used marine cranes for dock, ship, and offshore use, including telescoping boom cranes, stiff boom, jib knuckle, and yacht cranes. Triple "C" Marine Salvage also offers used marine cranes and accessories.

Lease or rent marine cranes for short term needs

If you'll be using the sea crane only occasionally, renting makes perfect sense. If you know you'll need to upgrade your commercial marine cranes regularly, or if your business has limited funds, you should strongly consider leasing. For rentals, it's best to consult local business directories; for leasing there are many good national sources for marine cranes.

I recommend: Harbour Capital Corporation will work with you to lease marine cranes, whether through a traditional lease, a $1 purchase option, or a 10 percent purchase option. KCI Business Finance also offers a number of leasing options.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most industrial marine cranes reach up to 125 feet and have about a 135 ton capacity. However, knuckle boom marine cranes are typically designed for working in a smaller working radius and are considered 'special purpose' cranes.

Marine cranes (also known as boat cranes, boat deck cranes or sea cranes) are useful on ship docks and offshore to load and unload the cargo. Other industries that use marine cranes are construction (for pier building) and logistics.

Whether you want to buy or rent a marine crane, you will need to be aware of various technical terms that state specifications and regulations for marine cranes. This guide intends to familiarize you with various marine crane key terms, including LMI, SWL, lifting capacity and LOLER.

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WLL (Working Load Limit)

WLL is the maximum load that should be supported by the crane under any condition. Before selecting a marine crane, you should evaluate the maximum load requirements for your applications.

I recommend: For the definition of WLL, you can refer to the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) (PDF).

LMI (Load Moment Indicator)

LMI is an indicator that flashes when the crane reaches its lifting limits. LMI calculates the actual load being lifted, to ensure that the safe working load capacity is not exceeded.

I recommend: For further information about LMI, you can refer to Cranes Today, a magazine for the crane industry.

SWL (Safe Working Load)

SWL is the maximum mass or force that a crane is authorized to support in general service when the pull is applied in-line.

I recommend: For more information about SWL, you can read through the glossary of terms at Crane In A Box.

Lifting capacity

Lifting capacity (also known as load capacity) is the most important specification of a crane. Lifting capacity is the maximum load or force supported by the crane.

I recommend: Concrete Monthly, a magazine for the concrete and cement industry, provides explanation for the term lifting capacity.

Metric dimensions

Metric dimensions are the dimensions of industrial products as per the Systeme Internationale (SI) standards. For marine cranes, the load capacity is measured in tones (or kilograms), according to the SI standards.

I recommend: For basic information on metric dimensions, read through the glossary of technical terms at Woodruff Block Company, a manufacturer of concrete masonry units and landscape products.

Imperial dimensions

Unlike metric dimensions, the imperial measurement system specifies the lifting capacity of a marine crane in pounds.

I recommend: Technology Services (PDF), a part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, provides an informative document that explains the relationships between the different measurement units.

LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998)

LOLER aims to reduce the risks to the health and safety of workers, from any lifting equipment, including cranes. While using a marine crane, you must make sure that you are following these regulations.

I recommend: For detailed information on LOLER, you can read through a technical article about LOLER by Health and Safety Executive (HSE).