Membrey’s was engaged urgently after a roll‑on roll‑off ship’s ramp jammed during deployment, leaving the vessel unable to sail. A winch rope on the ramp’s second stage had jumped the sheave, wrapped around the motor and could not be freed. Working with the shipping line, captain and a heavy‑lift specialist, we planned a controlled support and lowering of the ramp. With engineered lift points, a 750‑tonne crane, and strict waterfront safety controls, we restored the ramp to a safe, flat position on the wharf, enabling onward port operations and vessel readiness.
The Challenge
With the main ramp unable to close, operations and safety were at risk at a live Port of Melbourne berth. A winch rope had fouled around the ramp motor, preventing normal retraction. We had no existing lifting points, limited access over water, and strict controls for point loads, hot works, and overside exposure. Rapid approvals, detailed engineering, and a coordinated multi‑party response were essential. Any misstep risked structural damage, extended berth occupancy, and significant schedule disruption.
The Solution
We assembled a turnkey team and process: shipping drawings informed ramp movement and mass; an engineering firm designed lift calculations and temporary lift lugs; welding procedures and inspection regimes were set. We produced a full paperwork pack for the Port of Melbourne, including Lift Plan, SWMS, hot‑works permits, outrigger pressures, point‑load controls and waterside safety plan. A 750‑tonne crane was specified with a boom‑lift and man‑box for boilermakers, plus an auxiliary crane to position lugs and a strengthening plate. Scheduling prioritised parallel workstreams to compress critical‑path time.
The Result
The 750‑tonne crane was mobilised and assembled as welding commenced. Over four 14‑hour Easter shifts, lift lugs and reinforcement were installed and inspected. Rigging was then fine-tuned into position; riggers in the man‑box connected gear for a synchronised manoeuvre between the shore crane and the ship’s ramp winch. In approximately 30 minutes of controlled “lifting,” the ramp was supported, guided and brought down to lie flat at the wharf edge in the correct datum. The vessel regained operability, demonstrating Membrey’s turnkey coordination and heavy‑lift problem‑solving under live‑port constraints.
