Yachts get a lift

Princess Yachts is using freestanding Goliath cranes from Street Crane Company to produce its new 30 to 40m M Class tri-deck yachts at the Devonport Dockyard. They will be used in the assembly of the craft allowing large fabrications to be lifted, transported and accurately placed as the yachts are fitted out.

The yard's assembly facility is enclosed by a lightweight, wide-span space frame building. This has insufficient strength to accommodate overhead cranes, while freestanding gantries would have occupied production space. Street Crane recommended floor running Goliath cranes, using a slim leg design to maximise hook coverage.

The main assembly area is served by two mirror image Goliath cranes of 16t SWL, each spanning 13.75m.

These have twin hoists of 8t lifting capacity that can be used independently or in tandem. A 28m span Goliath crane, with hook coverage over the whole production area, has a single 16t hoist and will share the outer running rail of the smaller Goliaths.