Rig failure
If a main component of the standing rigging such as a forestay or backstay fails in rough weather with the boat driving hard, a deck-stepped mast will usually go over the side. If the spar is stepped on the keel through the deck, there is some chance that it can be saved. Loss of lesser components such as a shroud or baby stay is often ‘survivable’ given the right action, while more traditional rigs which are less highly loaded may also offer a second chance. Whatever gives way in a rig, the first action must be to take the load off the damaged component. This is usually best done with the helm. If a forestay breaks, or is seen beginning to strand, run the boat off the wind straight away. When a shroud looks like letting go on the weather side, tack immediately so that it goes comparatively slack, then deal with it. These actions should be as instinctive as going for the brake in a car. If you think about them often enough, they can become so. Running repairs – Repairing standing rigging at sea from within a yacht’s own resources is a tough call. Spare shackles, lengths of wire and bulldog grips are essential for long-distance ventures, but today the availability of rope such as Spectra® which is as strong as wire and stretches
even less make jury-rigging far more viable than it was. To create a backstay, for instance, a length of Spectra® core could be run between some fitting at the masthead to a spare rigging screw at the deck, or even a tackle winched up hard. The job would see you across an ocean if need be.
Action on dismasting • Do not start the engine immediately. You will almost certainly have ropes over the side. A locked-up propeller is the last thing you want now.
• Make a head count. Have you lost anyone? Check for personal injury and prioritise casualties. Bear in mind that without the roll inertia of the mast, the motion of the boat will be very much worse. Remind crew of this and make sure everyone hangs on bearing in mind as the guardrails may have also been damaged.
• Unless you are in immediate dire danger, make a PAN- PAN call. Advise the coastguard of your situation and what you are proposing to do. A positive approach from you will reassure them. If you don’t need rescuing, say so.
• Assess the damage. Is the hull in danger from pounding spars still attached by rigging? Yes? Cut the wreckage free as quickly as possible, saving only what you sensibly can. You should have on board a pair of hefty bolt-croppers for this wretched contingency, as well as a generous supply of hacksaw blades. You will also be pleased now if you have opened your split pins only as far as shown on (page 23) and resisted the temptation to bend them round so they can never be moved again. No? Is a safe haven within range of your fuel tanks? If it is, you can afford to free yourself of the wreckage. Nonetheless, if conditions are not so tough that motoring home with spars on deck or lashed alongside could create further damage, bear in mind that your insurers may take a more positive view of your efforts if you have hung onto the mast. If motoring to safety is not an option, sort out the wreckage and salvage everything you can for a jury rig. You never know what may prove useful, and there are no chandlers in mid-ocean.
• Only when all ropes have been cleared and stowed so that they cannot be kicked or washed back over the side should the engine be started. Getting under way often eases the extreme motion and does wonders for morale.
118 | MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP
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