NVIC 02-16: Sail rigging and mast inspection guidance

Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7501 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, SE Washington, DC 20593-7501 Staff Symbol: CG-CVC-1 Phone: (202) 372-1251 Fax: (202) 372-1216 Email: CG-CVC-1@uscg.mil COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 02-16 13 APR 2016 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 02-16 Subj: INSPECTION GUIDANCE FOR SAIL RIGGING AND MASTS ON INSPECTED SAILING VESSELS Ref: (a) Subchapter T - Small Passenger Vessels Under 100 Gross Tons: 46 CFR 176.402 (c)(1), 176.700, 176.800, 176.802.(a)(3), 177.202 (b)(12) and 177.330 (b) Subchapter K – Small Passenger Vessels Carrying more than 150 Passengers or Overnight Accommodations for more than 49 Passengers: 46 CFR 115.402 (c)(1), 115.700, 115.802 (a)(3); 116.202 (b)(14) and 116.330 (c) Subchapter R – Sailing School Vessels 46 CFR 169.221 (a), 169.222, 169.203, 169.239, 169.305 (a)(13), (14) and 169.309

Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels — PURPOSE. This Circular provides guidance to vessel owners, riggers, marine surveyors,

other marine service providers, and Coast Guard marine inspectors regarding inspection of sail rigging, masts, and associated components for inspected sailing vessels and the use of preventative maintenance as a good marine practice.

Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels — ACTION.

a. Officers-in-Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs), vessel owners and operators, or their representatives, are encouraged to take advantage of the procedures and guidelines detailed in this Circular. Area Commanders, District Commanders, Sector Commanders, Commanding Officer Marine Safety Center, and OCMIs are encouraged to apprise industry representatives of this Circular and apply its provisions appropriately. This Circular will be distributed by electronic means only and is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/default.asp. b. Coast Guard Marine Inspectors should refer to the enclosed guidance when conducting inspections on sailing vessels. It is important to follow the recommended frequencies of maintenance and inspections. Excessive frequencies (e.g., for unstepping the rig) may DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 167 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B x x x x x C x x D x x E x x F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 02-16 impose unnecessary expenses for the owner/operator without appreciable findings. Enclosure (1), along with its appendices, provides guidance for the purpose of assisting vessel owners/operators and U.S. Coast Guard personnel with the inspections and recommended documentation of maintenance for sail rigging and masts on inspected sailing vessels. c. The use of this guidance will assist sailing vessel owner/operators to adequately assess the safe condition of their sail rigging systems through the use of a documented preventative maintenance plan.

Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels — DIRECTIVE(S) AFFECTED. None.

DIRECTIVE(S) AFFECTED. None.

Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels — BACKGROUND.

a. In 2005, the entire rig of a U.S. tall ship was carried away as a result of a single, failed component in the standing rigging; fortunately, no injuries or fatalities occurred. b. In 2006 and 2007, two separate dismastings occurred aboard Coast Guard inspected catamarans in the Hawaii region; each tragically resulted in a passenger fatality. Post- casualty investigation analysis revealed rigging equipment failure as the primary causal factor in both cases (activity numbers 2833864 and 2895732; accessible at http://cgmix.uscg.mil/IIR/IIRSearch.aspx). Following these serious marine casualties, a comprehensive review and inspection of the Hawaiian fleet of 59 sailing vessels was conducted where approximately 20% were found to have significant mast and rigging deficiencies. These deficiencies included excessive corrosion, fractures in the masts, missing bolts, spreaders, and mast fittings. c. Post-casualty analysis and follow-up inspections highlighted the need for the Coast Guard, in collaboration with the commercial sailing vessel industry, to develop a standardized inspection, examination, and maintenance regime for sail vessel rigging nationwide to improve safety of commercial sailing vessel operations. d. In 2008, after a third catamaran dismasting, Sector Honolulu along with the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Traveling Inspection Staff led a workshop with local sailing vessel owners, operators, rigging suppliers, riggers, naval architects and marine surveyors to develop an inspection regime for sail vessel rigging. As a result of that collaborative effort, Sector Honolulu Inspection Note #13 dated October 16, 2008, established a recommended inspection and examination regime for sail vessel rigging that then became the standard for the nation’s inspected sailing vessel fleet. e. To date, there have been 37 reportable marine casualties involving inspected sailing vessels, 18 of which have involved masts, spars and rigging failures on both contemporary and traditional rigs. Dismastings were mostly attributed to, but not exclusively limited to multi-hulled sailing vessels. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 02-16

Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels — DISCUSSION.

a. Sail Rigging Inspections. Under 46 CFR 176.802(a)(3), 115.802 (a)(3) and 169.309 regular rigging inspection is already prescribed; however, the regulations do not establish specific time intervals for unstepping the mast. Given the high risk for and potential fatal consequences of a rigging failure, preventative maintenance is critically important for sailing vessels. The basis for any preventative maintenance plan is a robust examination regime to determine, with some level of confidence, component service life and replacement intervals in order to prevent equipment failures and related marine casualties. b. Condition of the Sail Rigging. Sailing vessels and their rigging are made up of a complex system that must stay intact and function properly else risk catastrophic failure that could result in a significant marine casualty. Sail rigging is also exposed to a complex variety of dynamic stresses in service. Variable operating conditions such as climate, wind strength, and weather and sea state, among other influences, imposes dynamic stresses that affect the working life of the rig and its components. Corrosion is also ever present based on materials used and exposure to the salinity of the marine environment. Proactive and thorough periodic examinations by vessel owners and operators are essential to monitor wear and corrosion, determine service life and replacement cycles, and help identify potential rigging failures before they occur. There may not always be obvious visual cues to prompt replacement or renewal of rigging equipment. Continuous monitoring, with an understanding of the equipment in use, is essential to maintain safe operating conditions. c. Vessel Specific Rigging Maintenance Regime. The inspection and maintenance regime set forth in Enclosure (1) and its appendices are intended to assist vessel owners and operators in determining the reasonable service life and replacement interval of rigging components as based on the vessel’s operations, environmental conditions, vessel type

(i.e., monohull vs catamaran) and other factors. d. This NVIC incorporates the best practices for sail vessel rigging of all types and sizes based on input from sailing vessel operators, Coast Guard marine inspectors, riggers, and marine surveyors. Publishing this guidance enhances consistency with the inspection process and helps sustain proper rigging maintenance and awareness in the commercial sailing fleet.

Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels — DISCLAIMER. This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is

itself a rule. It is not intended to nor does it impose legally binding requirements on any party. It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and may assist industry, mariners, the general public, and the Coast Guard, as well as other Federal and state regulators, in applying statutory and regulatory requirements.

Inspection Guidance for Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Sailing Vessels — ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS.

a. The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed by the originating office in conjunction with the Office of Environmental Management, and are categorically excluded (CE) under current USCG