Comet Yachts safety Bulletin

[flaming]

https://assets.publishing.service.g...4a5f5a33a3d3/2018_-_SB3_-_Tyger_of_London.pdf

If you know of anyone with a Comet yacht, especially if it is a shoal keel version, make sure they see this.

 

[Resolution]

Really interesting, but the report does not say who manufactured the keel. Was it in house or sub-contracted out?

 

[macd]

Really interesting, but the report does not say who manufactured the keel.

de Havilland?

 

[Resolution]

de Havilland?

What a memory you have!

 

[Thistle]

https://assets.publishing.service.g...4a5f5a33a3d3/2018_-_SB3_-_Tyger_of_London.pdf

If you know of anyone with a Comet yacht, especially if it is a shoal keel version, make sure they see this.

Not belittling Tyger's problems, but where was the swimming Fatbeard when he was needed to catch the wayward keel before it was lost on the ocean floor? Surely his carefully collected bag of stuff would contain a floatation device to attach to sinking items??

 

[lpdsn]

Although there are differences from Hooligan V the similarity is the failure of a welded keel (not built to the designers specification).

It's not as if welding isn't used elsewhere on structures that are safety critical, e.g the oil industry. Maybe boatbuilders need to learn to have welds inspected to a suitable standard. I doubt it would break the bank.

 

[lpdsn]

Not belittling Tyger's problems, but where was the swimming Fatbeard when he was needed to catch the wayward keel before it was lost on the ocean floor? Surely his carefully collected bag of stuff would contain a floatation device to attach to sinking items??

Fatberg, sorry Fatbeard, has probably already recovered it and handed it in to Falmouth police station as lost property.

 

[Fatbeard]

You may believe that. I can hardly comment.

 

[bikesherpa]

MAIB has just released the final report on the Tyger of London capsize.
https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/keel-failure-and-capsize-of-charter-yacht-tyger-of-london
Very interesting analysis of the keel design and construction.

 

[JumbleDuck]

MAIB has just released the final report on the Tyger of London capsize.
https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/keel-failure-and-capsize-of-charter-yacht-tyger-of-london
Very interesting analysis of the keel design and construction.

Thanks for the link. Yes, very interesting. It all seems to come down to a design which was impossible to make and, even when modified, impossible to check. The changes during construction didn't help, of course, but if the keel had been better designed in the first place those changes wouldn't have been necessary. Very reminiscent of Hooligan V.

 

[dunedin]

Scary reading for owners of (and crew on) the affected type of Comar Comet yachts. Looks impossible to assess if the keel is safe, even by dropping the keel (when ashore in a boatyard, for clarity!)
To be certain of safety looks like might have to remove and recast all or some of the lead keel, incorporating revised keel bolts. And builder now gone so all at owners expense.

 

[dom]

To be certain of safety looks like might have to remove and recast all or some of the lead keel, incorporating revised keel bolts. And builder now gone so all at owners expense.

Agreed, in the absence of which the affected vessels will be functionally unsaleable. Even the unaffected ones are likely to suffer a big hit owing to an unresolveable uncertainty problem.

 

[Kukri]

Yikes. What an expletive deleted silly design!

One wonders how many other very silly ideas have occurred to the makers of other production yachts, as the role of the structural engineer has been cut back in favour of the interior designer.

 

[photodog]

Agreed, in the absence of which the affected vessels will be functionally unsaleable. Even the unaffected ones are likely to suffer a big hit owing to an unresolveable uncertainty problem.

How much for a new keel???

 

[dom]

How much for a new keel???

That's the question isn't it as the original design is idiotically uncheckable. if I was to hazard a guess, probably about £20-25k for fabrication, around £5k for design. with boatyard costs on top.

Even then, there is bound to be a value hit as prospective purchasers will likely require independent examination and verification. Ditto insurance companies.

 

[photodog]

That's the question isn't it as the original design is idiotically uncheckable. if I was to hazard a guess, probably about £20-25k for fabrication, around £5k for design. with boatyard costs on top.

Even then, there is bound to be a value hit as prospective purchasers will likely require independent examination and verification. Ditto insurance companies.

It’s a business opportunity for someone....

Engage with multiple owners... bring their old keeps back to a central point, melt em down and recast with a new properly welded top plate... ship back reattach.

 

[[3889]]

I get a warm glow reading about the performance of St Barbara V's crew. It's nice to know people like that are out there.

 

[dolabriform]

I get a warm glow reading about the performance of St Barbara V's crew. It's nice to know people like that are out there.

+ 100

 

[bikedaft]

I read the report, thanks for the link.

I must be thick but i cannot figure out what bit failed? There were stainless rods through a plate, that were welded on one side only. Did the rods snap? Seems odd as the rods went through the plate? Or what have i missed? Thanks!

 

[dom]

I read the report, thanks for the link.

I must be thick but i cannot figure out what bit failed? There were stainless rods through a plate, that were welded on one side only. Did the rods snap? Seems odd as the rods went through the plate? Or what have i missed? Thanks!

You're right, the MAIB's summary advice link is indeed confusing.

Follow this link to its main report and all will become clear:
https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/keel-failure-and-capsize-of-charter-yacht-tyger-of-london