Marine Results completed a super-fast turnaround on a gigantic 61.40m / 201′ tall rig after crew of the one year old Hoek designed schooner, 62.00m / 203′ in length, heard a splitting sound coming from the mast just after they had finished a race at the Pendennis Superyacht Cup in Falmouth in early July.
Closer inspection revealed that there was delamination originating from the heel of the mast. The following day, luckily a layday in the race programme, a team from Marine Results were on the scene to carry out an ultrasound inspection of the mast base. Working closely with Rondal who supplied additional technical consultancy, Marine Results concluded that the mast needed to be lifted from the yacht for a full assessment.
Within two days Marine Results managed to obtain hard standing in Southampton on the Bladerunner Quay at Ocean Village, and secured the use of a crane large enough to handle the mast. The following day the rig was pulled out of the boat and partly slid into a 40ft container, where power and lighting enabled repair work to get underway around the clock.
While on the ground further NDT (non destructive testing) was carried out on components by Marine Results. The rig was re-stepped the following day, and following sail trials, the yacht was able to take part in and win the Cowes Superyacht Cup a couple of days later.
“A fuller investigation into the incident is still underway,” explained Jon Morris of Marine Results. “We’ve now been asked to do a full mast inspection for Athos later in the season once the pressure of the busy race programme is off.”
“We were very proud of being able to get the work completed on such a fast turnaround,” he added. “Recent expansion of personnel including a number of specialists is enabling us to respond quickly and mobilise equipment and facilities in any part of the world.”
Following the full inspection, which will take place when the yacht is in Palma, Marine Results will submit a report and work with the yacht to retune both masts.
