A crane that fell into the water near Pangnirtung could further delay construction of the community's small craft harbour.

Sometime last Friday, a 120-tonne crane, which was being used on the project, tipped over.

Adele Butcher, an engineer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, was in Pangnirtung when the crane fell.

"At the moment we are still assessing the situation," she said. "It's soon to say whether there will be an impact on the timeline of the construction project, but the contractors are in the process of sourcing another crane to be shipped to Pangnirtung as soon as possible."

The $17 million harbour is in its third year of construction. It was supposed to be completed in July.