Since I am anyway for the moment into big things (except for the Mini then ) I thought I would tell you something about these two cranes aswell. Btw i always wonder why they do not make programs about machinery like this on Discovery and likes. Hmm...
Saipem:
Length: 198 m
Breadth: 87 m
Depth to main deck: 45 m
Transit draft: 10.5 m
Operational draft: 27.5 m
Main blocks tandem lift: 14,000 t (at 43 meter radius...)
Aux.1 block: 2,500 t revolving at 74 m rad.
Aux. 2 block: 900 t revolving at 115 m rad.
It actually lifts 900 mt at 115 meters radius!!!
The crane naturally have everything when it comes to equipment and it also accomodation for over 805 pps. A friend of mine stayed on it for a week while he waited for them to finish the gas platform he is now working on in the North sea. each crane is fitted with an engine of 15600 hp. The booms reaches almost 200 meters up.
the crane also come swith a cinema and a hospital. Since a few years back there is zero tolerance to alcohol in this industry so unfortunetaly there is no proper bar Everythin in these machines is about redundance, redundance and redundance. they have several packups for every critical system.
The Saipem have the world record for heavy lifting today with 12150 mt, allthough the Thialf is rated at 200 mt more.
The Thialf is a few meters longer, and a little wider.
I would like to rent one, since it would be really cool, but as far as I recall the bill is intimidating, so I guess I have to stick with my little 35 tonner...
Very fascinating though me thinks