Issued by Australian Sailing:
Keel and rudder fins are failing for reasons that include damage from groundings and collisions, or inadequate maintenance.
Notice:
World Sailing has produced a collection of frequently asked questions in relation to the inspection of keel and rudders.

Boats requiring an inspection can contact the RPAYC Boatyard on 9998 3700 or Boatyard@rpayc.com.au 

Frequently Asked Questions produced by World Sailing:
What are the checks designed to do?
Keels have been breaking off yachts for many years. The yacht types losing keels and rudders range from cruising to high performance racing yachts and from newly built to old. This regulation is designed to require a visual inspection each 2 years. It is designed to capture visual signs (cracks, movement, corrosion, loose keel bolts, loose or irregular rudder bearings) that may indicate a potentially serious problem. It is expected that once noted, the Owner would undertake a more detailed investigation or just get it repaired.

Who is a ‘qualified’ Inspector to conduct this visual inspection?
The range of Inspectors has been kept broad since the inspections are visual and no specialized equipment or techniques are required. Inspectors could be marine surveyors, naval architects or engineers, or shipyard mechanics with a minimum of 5 years’
experience working on yacht mechanical systems or composite materials. The Owner or persons directly employed by the Owner is not considered suitable. Some countries may require additional certification in order to undertake yacht inspections. Each MNA will have to determine if they will require additional qualifications.

Does this keel inspection ensure seaworthiness of my yacht?
This is not a guarantee that the yacht is seaworthy or that the keel or rudder will not fall off.

What are causes of keel loss?
Keel and rudder losses are generally as a result of the following factors:
– Unrepaired damage from a grounding
– Poor maintenance with resulting corrosion of metal components
– Damage from at sea impacts (logs, marine life, etc.)
– Metal and composite fatigue: Yachts appendages are designed for a maximum number of loading cycles (waves primarily). Cruising yachts are designed to have a large number of cycles, hence a long sailing life, however racing yachts, designed for reduced weight and higher keel loads have a limited life. This life is determined by the design specifications, the days sailed and size of the loads (pounding into waves).

What risks does a keel inspection reduce?
The visual inspection is targeted to reduce losses due to unrepaired grounding damage, poor maintenance, and at sea impacts.

What is fatigue?
In materials science, fatigue is the weakening of a material caused by cyclic loading that results in progressive and localised structural damage and the growth of cracks. Once a fatigue crack has initiated, each loading cycle will grow the crack a small amount, typically producing striations on some parts of the fracture surface. The crack will continue to grow until it reaches a critical size which exceeds the fracture toughness of the material, producing rapid propagation and typically complete fracture of the structure.

Which risks does it not address?
It does not target fatigue unless there are visible signs (cracks, movement).

How is a tip swing test conducted?
The yacht is suspended with the keel off the ground/cradle. A member of the inspection team braces himself and attempts to move the keel while the Inspector looks, both from the outside and at the inside (keel floor) of the yacht, for movement (opening and closing of any cracks) at the keel/hull interface.

Do Race Organizers have to verify the qualifications of the inspector?
The OSRs do not expect or require the Race Organizer to verify the Inspector’s qualifications. If the Race Organizers or MNA wish to add additional qualifications and possible verifications, they may do so in the Notice of Race.

What have Race Organizers to do?
Note in the Notice of Race for an OSR category 0 – 3 event under Eligibility and Entry, that in addition to a copy of the valid measurement certificate ,a copy of the “Keel and Rudder Inspection Form” shall be submitted to the race secretary and/or shown at registration. What shall the Technical Committee of the Race Organizer have to decide if in the column Inspector’s Notes, negative remarks are made? Such as small cracks in gelcoat, slight clearance in rudder bearings, slight deflection or items to be kept under surveillance? Allow her entry.

What shall the Technical Committee of the Race Organizer do if the inspector has noted structural failures in his
column and the owner has no proof of any action taken or has done nothing about it at all? Refuse her entry.