Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels

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Cuthbert Horton
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1 Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels Marc Cruder Traveling Senior Marine Inspector USCG Headquarters 1

2 Overview Purpose Provide guidance specific to sail rigging equipment Goal To ensure critical components are replaced on routine schedule before they experience complete failure 2

3 Rigging Equipment Service Life / Replacement Interval Variables that affect sail rigging components useful life span: Mast/Spar construction material and installation Sail rig type and/or Standing rig system complexity Service route variables & local conditions (e.g., wind/sea state) Frequency & duration of operations Design safety factor & review process Nature of operations (e.g., high performance or low stress) Operating area propensity for corrosion (e.g., heat, salinity, etc.) 3

4 Written Preventative Maintenance Plan Vessel specific document that addresses the installed sail rigging equipment and components. Contents of a PMP General Description: Including the type of rig, drawing and/or photographs of the vessel Exam/Maintenance Schedule: Establishes routine to detailed protocols from daily deck level rigging checks to the cycle of regular inspections aloft & comprehensive annual inspections Inventory of Critical Components: Including age, size, type of material and replacement schedule for components based on inspection results, service history, & manufacturer/designer recommendations 4

5 Inspection of Sail Rigging Maintaining a PMP is objective evidence the owner/operator is monitoring & managing the condition of the sail rigging equipment/components. Marine Inspectors will review PMPs during the inspection for certification & each annual; at a minimum. If deficiencies are found, requirements for corrective action may be issued. CG Marine Inspectors are not expected to go aloft because Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) is not provided In the absence of a PMP, the OCMI and/or Marine Inspector may require a third party rigging survey to verify condition of sail rigging and components. 5

6 Third Party Rigging Surveys Two types: Voluntary and CG-required for cause. In the latter, the owner/operator provides a rigging surveyor which the CG will vet. The survey report should address the elements of the PMP, and if for cause (because a PMP is not in place), help the OCMI determine the suitability of the sail rigging & components for continued service. Goal is to provide a comprehensive inspection of the entire rigging system aloft and alow. When the CG requires a rigging survey for cause, the expectation is that it include a survey aloft. 6

7 Standing Rigging Replacement Cycles for Stainless Steel Wire Industry guidelines focused to geography and salinity of operating environment NAVTECH Rigging Service Guidelines notes the following in terms of life expectancy: * Heat and salinity maximum (FL, HI, Caribbean) : 5 to 10 years * Heat and salinity medium ( East/West Coast of U.S.) : 10- to 15 years * Fresh water climate: 15 to 20 years Owners should use empirical data such as rig design parameters, manufacturer recommendations, vessel use, environmental conditions and rig service history to establish replacement intervals OCMI may approve intervals outside these guidelines on a case-by-case basis where justified based on individual design, condition and service exposure or history. 7

Un-stepping the Rig Close-up visual inspection of entire rig including mast, mast step and critical attachments of shrouds & stays at both the mast and hull

Inspection intervals specific to sail vsl rigs: 6 years: Multi-hulls w/ typical extruded aluminum or composite masts w/ inaccessible steps 6 years: Monohulls w/

8 Un-stepping the Rig Close-up visual inspection of entire rig including mast, mast step and critical attachments of shrouds & stays at both the mast and hull (chain plates). Inspection intervals specific to sail vsl rigs: 6 years: Multi-hulls w/ typical extruded aluminum or composite masts w/ inaccessible steps 6 years: Monohulls w/ deck stepped configurations, determined to be inaccessible by the OCMI 10 years: Vsls w/ wood masts, spars, and appendages Case-by-case: All non-wood keel stepped rigs OCMI may consider alternative time frames in specific cases; however, without compelling justification, the time frame should not exceed 10 years. 8

9 Sailing Vessel Design & Plan Review OCMIs should require all rigging systems be reviewed by the Marine Safety Center (MSC) during initial certification or following modifications. MSC Plan Review Guide H1-15 : Review of Rigging Systems for Sail Vessels: Outlines procedures for submitting plans & calculations to the MSC Location: CG Homeport CG Marine Inspector may consult the Traveling Inspection Staff (CG-5P-TI) or the MSC for assistance with plan review. 9

10 CONTACT INFO Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (Program Manager) Commandant (CG-CVC-1): LCDR James Fogle; Traveling Inspection Staff (Field Technical Consult/Support) Commandant (CG-5P-TI): Marc Cruder: Marine Safety Center (Plan Review) (MSC-1): Robert Barra: LT Brian Bonomi: LT Dan Burke:

MSC Guidelines for Review of Rigging Systems for Sailing Vessels

MSC Guidelines for Review of Rigging Systems for Sailing Vessels S. E. HEMANN, CDR, Chief, Hull Division Table of Contents References... 1 Contact Information... 2 Applicability... 2 General Guidance... 2 Methodology... 3 Stability and Rigging System... 3 Hull Structure