After more than 1,500 suggestions from 65 schools and months of anticipation, the South Carolina State Ports Authority and the South Carolina Aquarium announced the winners of their "Name the Crane" contest on Wednesday, June 27.
The cranes on the dock at Columbus Street Terminal have become quite a hit with visitors to the Aquarium, which offers close-up views of port operations.
With the help of the Ports Authority Maintenance Department, the winners climbed ladders and peeled off stickers unveiling their winning names. The names will remain on the base of the port’s most expensive hardware. The massive cranes, which are used to lift shipping containers on and off of vessels, cost $6 million each.
The lucky winners were children who participated in the Aquarium’s 2000-2001 Structured School Program. Students were asked to observe the cranes and see how they look and work. Each student earned $25 and tickets to the Aquarium, while each school received $100 for their science programs.
Winning Entries: