U.S. Navy officials have idled the 206-foot crane installed at Indian Island Naval Magazine to allow for stepped up security and increased ordnance operations.
The crane, installed in May 2000, was put into service to lift containers from vessels stopping at Indian Island. The crane at the North Olympic Peninsula’s only Navy base is the tallest structure in Jefferson County.
Equipped with a 1,635-horsepower diesel generator, the crane is capable of lifting a container weighing up to 88,900 pounds.
With a cargo hook, it can lift 112,000 pounds.
But the $8.9 million crane sits idle.
Military operations at the base have increased, even though crane work has decreased, Cmdr. David Belt, commanding officer, said Wednesday. More military vessels are visiting the island to be stocked with explosives.
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