Crane License Program Before  receiving  a  license  to  operate  a  crane, crane  operators  are  required  to  attend  40  hours  of formal   classroom   instruction   on   crane   operating safety,   as   outlined   in   the   NAVFAC   P-306.   The Naval Construction Training Centers (NCTC), Port Hueneme,   California,   and   Gulfport,   Mississippi, offer a crane school that covers the requirements of the  NAVFAC  P-306.  Additionally,  operators  who need to renew their license and have completed the 40  hours  of  crane  safety  must  attend  a  minimum 8-hour  refresher  training  course  on  crane  operator safety. The   testing   of   crane   operators   is   the   direct responsibility   of   the   crane   certifying   officer   and cannot  be  delegated.  The  crane  certifying  officer  may be assisted in administering a performance test by the crane test director. Performance tests are conducted, as  outlined  in  the  NAVFAC  P-306. The  crane manufacturer’s manual is used to test the operator on the  operator’s  maintenance  responsibility. The  equipment  officer  is  normally  responsible  for the  duties  of  the  battalion  crane  certifying  officer.  As outlined in the NAVFAC P-307, the crane certifying officer  must  be  designated  in  writing  by  the commanding  officer  of  the  activity. The  crane certifying officer designates in writing the crane test director. A  crane  license  is  issued  on  the  Construction Equipment  Operator  License,  NAVFAC  11260/2,  and will  indicate  the  make,  model,  capacity,  and  the attachments  the  operator  is  qualified  to  operate. Operators  requiring  more  on-the-job  training  with cranes can be issued a training license for a periof of 30 days. The trainee must be under the supervision of a  qualified  crane  operator.   The training license must denote the make, model, capacity, and the attachment on which the operator is to be trained. Before you deploy, ensure that the crane crew has several   licensed   crane   operators. Your  licensed operators  will  be  needed  to  support  the  Battalion Equipment Evaluation Program (BEEP) of the cranes. The crane certifying officer designates in writing the crane  test  operator  and  the  crane  test  mechanic. These positions are required for the crane certification program. The  crane  certifying  officers  may  also designate   an   alternate   crane   test   director,   test operator,  and  test  maintenance  backups. BEEP Cranes  are  normally  condition  inspected,  load tested,  and  certified  annually,  as  prescribed  in  the NAVFAC  P-307;  however,  in  the  NCF,  lest procedures   for   cranes   are   performed   during   the BEEP as a joint battalion effort. Time management is  important  when  performing  the  BEEP  of  the crane  area  of  responsibility.  You  must  remember that  the  weight  testing  of  cranes  is  a  time- consuming  event  and  should  be  completed  before (he  end  of  the  BEEP. The BEEP Equipment and Attachment Evaluation Inspection   Guides   for   cranes   are   issued   by   the dispatchers. The   inspections   of   the   cranes   are performed jointly by the EOs assigned to the crane crews. Once the EOs have completed the Equipment and  Attachment  Evaluation  Inspection  and  the  paper work is taken to the dispatcher, the crane mechanics will  jointly  inspect  the  crane,  using  the  inspection guides. The   crane   mechanics   also   have   the responsibility  of  performing  the  Crane  Condition Inspection  which  is  documented  on  the  Crane Condition  Inspection  Record  (figs.  3-1A  and  3-1B). This  inspection,  commonly  known  as  the  “before, during,  and  after  inspection,”  is  part  of  the  crane weight-testing  procedure  and  can  be  performed  at  the same   time   the   mechanics   are   performing   the equipment  and  attachment  inspection.  The  crane  test director   is   also   responsible   for   inspecting   and reviewing   the   items   on   the   Crane   Condition Inspection   Record. After  the  crane  is  released  from  the  shop,  the crane  crew  supervisors  have  the  responsibility  to prepare the crane for the weight-testing procedure. Accomplishing the weight test for certification of the crane is important, because the ERO for the crane cannot be closed out until the crane is certified. The weight testing of cranes requires the use of big, heavy weights, a stable foundation, and an area clear  of  obstructions.  Some  deployment  sites  have  an area  in  Alfa  company  with  weights  for  the  weight testing  of  cranes;   however,  Public  Works  Centers overseas normally has an area allocated for the weight testing of cranes.   They  normally  allow  the  battalions to schedule time periods for use of this area. When  a  crane  has  to  be  transported  to  the weight-testing-area,  the  crane  crew  supervisors  must receive the planned travel route to determine if low wires,  low  overpasses,   narrow  bridges,  or  unsafe obstacles  exist.  The  absolute  limit  of  approach  for 3-2