Yacht De-Laminating whilst sailing the Indian Ocean

[miyagimoon]

I am a member of the Closed Facebook Group "Red Sea Passage". It's for people who are or intend to sail either up or down the Red Sea and across the Indian Ocean.

One member has just posted that they need urgent repairs and is there any facilities in Cochin, India. The member is in fact the wife of a man who is right now sailing across the Indian Ocean. Her only communication with him is by e-mail / text via a Sat-phone. On following up this request it would appear the yacht in question is some 200 miles south east of the Island of Socotra and some 1200 miles from Cochin. The problem is associated with the Keel.
When asked to be more specific about the problem her reply was " from what I understand - there are 4 main frames where the keel is placed. the last of the stern has come off from the hull, no water enters but moves up and down, it is a matter of time before water starts to enter.
The others I think are patches badly made and some water is passing between the fiberglass."

I believe the Yacht to be a Bavaria 49 age etc not known.
My advise has been to head to the Seychelles some 900 miles South (Downwind) as apposed to sailing to India (1200 miles to the East with a prevailing NE Wind). She has suggested the Maldives (1100 miles ESE) as it is on route to his final destination of Malaysia.
Anyone any thoughts in respect to the Hull / Keel and any ideas as to what they can do to reduce risk of loosing keel etc.
I have suggested getting as quickly as possible to a safe haven. The Maldives although on route may be too far especially if they get adverse weather.

 

[maby]

very similar to what happened to Cheeki Rafiki - and we know how that ended! He probably needs to be making preparations for a very rapid exit from the boat including making sure that the liferaft cannot get trapped on a capsized hull. As you say, trying to remain on a down-wind course probably makes sense - he really wants to minimise heeling in order to minimise the strain on that keel joint.

 

[Poignard]

A MayDay call would be justified if there is an immediate threat to life, which there seems to be.

 

[PabloPicasso]

very similar to what happened to Cheeki Rafiki - and we know how that ended! He probably needs to be making preparations for a very rapid exit from the boat including making sure that the liferaft cannot get trapped on a capsized hull. As you say, trying to remain on a down-wind course probably makes sense - he really wants to minimise heeling in order to minimise the strain on that keel joint.

Did CheekiR delaminate? I thought the keel snapped off, or was that hooligan? Anyway, none of that helps these poor sailors. Downwind! Safe haven ASAP would seem the best bet. GRP working is a useful but not rare skill. Do they have any repair supplies on board? My limited understanding is that GRP has to be dry to repair it. Tek7 or similar maybe of use as it doesn't mind being wet, with mechanical fixing to hold joints together while it sets All very challenging underway.

Nearest viable destination may well be the Seychelles. Any yachts in the vicinity?

 

[Neeves]

Seychelles, if its the closest, is the best option. From memory Sunsail have a substantial base there, I know they have Leopards, as I have seen them - but not sure about monos. I assume they can maintain their own fleet.

I don't know Cochin but Mumbai up the coast might be another option. You are taxing my memory but I think there is a Yacht Club - but I have no idea of facilities.

I'd be going to the location easiest to reach - forget where he thought he was going - the priority should be safety and then repairs. If he opts for the Mayday - he would probably be picked up without problem - and his yacht abandoned (better than losing his life) he's the skipper its his call.

Jonathan

 

[bbg]

I'd be going to the location easiest to reach - forget where he thought he was going - the priority should be safety and then repairs.
Jonathan

His destination has changed from where he wanted to go to where he needs to go. He needs to change his mindset. The only priority is to get the boat to a safe place, preferably where he can get repairs done, but I would put that as secondary to making safe landfall. If worst comes to worst he gets the material to do the work and flies someone in from somewhere else to do it.

 

[rogerthebodger]

His destination has changed from where he wanted to go to where he needs to go. He needs to change his mindset. The only priority is to get the boat to a safe place, preferably where he can get repairs done, but I would put that as secondary to making safe landfall. If worst comes to worst he gets the material to do the work and flies someone in from somewhere else to do it.

The problem is that that area of the indian ocean is not very stable and the island of Socotra is a military zone.

My view would be to sail to Seychelles where there are sunsail bases and easy flights to South Africa where supplies and people are available to do repairs if there is no one in Seychelles to do it.

As we have seen loosing a keel can be very catastrophic so what ever he does he must be prepared for a sudden capsize and life raft and Epirb available at all times.

 

[savageseadog]

We can only wish the skipper well in what appears to be a very serious situation

 

[miyagimoon]

Seychelles, if its the closest, is the best option. From memory Sunsail have a substantial base there, I know they have Leopards, as I have seen them - but not sure about monos. I assume they can maintain their own fleet.

I don't know Cochin but Mumbai up the coast might be another option.

Jonathan

Mumbai is roughly the same distance as Cochin / Maldives but would be head to wind (NE). Oman is the closest but again requires heading North. According to Windy the forecast to the north for the over the next few days is NE 25+ knots. South the wind direction changes to a more Northerly and is slightly less in strength.

 

[dom]

I am a member of the Closed Facebook Group "Red Sea Passage". It's for people who are or intend to sail either up or down the Red Sea and across the Indian Ocean.

One member has just posted that they need urgent repairs and is there any facilities in Cochin, India. The member is in fact the wife of a man who is right now sailing acr5oss the Indian Ocean. Her only communication with him is by e-mail / text via a Sat-phone. On following up this request it would appear the yacht in question is some 200 miles south east of the Island of Socotra and some 1200 miles from Cochin. The problem is associated with the Keel.
When asked to be more specific about the problem her reply was " from what I understand - there are 4 main frames where the keel is placed. the last of the stern has come off from the hull, no water enters but moves up and down, it is a matter of time before water starts to enter.
The others I think are patches badly made and some water is passing between the fiberglass."

I believe the Yacht to be a Bavaria 49 age etc not known.
My advise has been to head to the Seychelles some 900 miles South (Downwind) as apposed to sailing to India (1200 miles to the East with a prevailing NE Wind). She has suggested the Maldives (1100 miles ESE) as it is on route to his final destination of Malaysia.
Anyone any thoughts in respect to the Hull / Keel and any ideas as to what they can do to reduce risk of loosing keel etc.
I have suggested getting as quickly as possible to a safe haven. The Maldives although on route may be too far especially if they get adverse weather.

Oh dear. As others say, head for safe haven, try to keep loads off the keel, and be prepared to abandon ship fast. As well as liferaft, fully inflate all dinghies kayaks, etc., and store comprehensive grab bag inc medicines on deck or beside companionway.

Do not even think of delaying a Mayday call if it starts to seem necessary - time can be crucial here and insurance will sort loss.

I would strongly recommend that the relevant Coastguards are also informed - including Falmouth. They may also suggest a route close to ships.

Then contact Bavaria and failing that Beneteau Group for expert advice after gathering as much detail as possible about the problem, repair materials on board, and position data for cross checking to Met forecasts.

As for this forum, I would suggest you also contact Tranona who is an expert in fibreglass construction.

Good luck and Godspeed to your friend.

 

[NormanB]

He is unlikely to have any materials onboard to effect any damage control BUT if he had the timber or other stiff material onboard he could shore the keel grillage to the deckhead. Or if he has a selection of G clamps - try and bridge across the grillage with cupboard doors or similar and wedge down onto the ‘delaminated Grillage’.

Other than that sailing downwind only towards nearest suitable destination, reduce sail as winds increase or drop and use engine.

Is he insured?

 

[Neeves]

He is unlikely to have any materials onboard to effect any damage control BUT if he had the timber or other stiff material onboard he could shore the keel grillage to the deckhead. Or if he has a selection of G clamps - try and bridge across the grillage with cupboard doors or similar and wedge down onto the ‘delaminated Grillage’.

Other than that sailing downwind only towards nearest suitable destination, reduce sail as winds increase or drop and use engine.

Is he insured?

He has or should have a spinnaker pole and at least one anchor with a fairly robust shank - but I cannot see how he would carry nuts of the right size for the keel bolts nor can I imagine he carries anything that would allow him to use an anchor shank as the support (even if he can saw it off the fluke - a battery angle grinder would be just the job!)

 

[miyagimoon]

Update from his Wife:

"it all seems under control for now. not putting stress on the boat and we are preparing for him to arrive in Kochin. He has a plan on how to repair, and Bob has been fantastic in giving help for Kochin contacts etc. Hopefully they will arrive for Sun 23 Dec and then we shall see what to do. Weather and wind looks ok and no storms. HIs fear is it will not withstand a storm. So we are crossing fingers and praying all is ok for what will be a long week's sail!!!!"

 

[BurnitBlue]

Get some rope or chain around the keel and tighten it with a Spanish windlass. Three ropes all the way round the boat and really tight will hold the keel against the hull. At least it will help. Sail ´slowly and off wind to avoid pounding and rolling. De-laminating is extremely serious as keel movement will peel the GRP away from the core foam. this happened to Cheeky Rafiti and that Oyster recently.

 

[TQA]

Get some rope or chain around the keel and tighten it with a Spanish windlass. Three ropes all the way round the boat and really tight will hold the keel against the hull. At least it will help. Sail ´slowly and off wind to avoid pounding and rolling. De-laminating is extremely serious as keel movement will peel the GRP away from the core foam. this happened to Cheeky Rafiti and that Oyster recently.

+ 1

 

[Tranona]

De-laminating is extremely serious as keel movement will peel the GRP away from the core foam. this happened to Cheeky Rafiti and that Oyster recently.

Given that this boat is not foam cored in the keel area that is unlikely to happen. The frame in question is a top hat moulding glassed into the hull and unlike either CR or an Oyster in design and construction.

That is not to say that the keel is secure as the purpose of the frame is to transfer the loads of the keel to the hull structure and failure of the attachment to the hull clearly weakens it. It is unlikely to lead to keel movement and the concern would be about the ability of the hull to resist the forces now the reinforcing structure is now no longer firmly attached.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Get some rope or chain around the keel and tighten it with a Spanish windlass. Three ropes all the way round the boat and really tight will hold the keel against the hull. At least it will help. Sail ´slowly and off wind to avoid pounding and rolling. De-laminating is extremely serious as keel movement will peel the GRP away from the core foam. this happened to Cheeky Rafiti and that Oyster recently.

If the keel is anything like the one in this link then there's nothing you can achieve with rope or chain other than slowing the boat with their drag. http://www.alpha-techniki.com/en/work-samples/keel-floor-repair-bavaria-49/ Even if there was I'd still be wary of trying it because you could quite possibly do more harm than good.

I'd certainly be going off the wind to land or a rendezvous, but would probably aim to be travelling as close to wave speed as I could to reduce the interaction - but conditions vary and a better balance of speed/heave/roll will only be found by experimentation.

 

[jordanbasset]

I believe the Yacht to be a Bavaria 49 age etc not known.
.

Any more confirmation on whether it is a Bavaria 49, may make a difference as to the advice

 

[miyagimoon]

Any more confirmation on whether it is a Bavaria 49, may make a difference as to the advice

Yes, It is a Bavaria 49. Although the wife does not know year etc.

 

[Gryphon2]

One thought. If he is insured I would consult the insurer. They would presumably have a view as to what he should do and would certainly need to be consulted over repairs