Inspection and rigging specialists Marine Results have provided a pre-launch inspection to the fleet of seven Volvo 65 yachts that have been built for the forthcoming Volvo Ocean Race which starts on 11th October 2014.
The company carried out the ultrasound inspection of the hull slamming area, rudders, masts and spreaders, whose highly sensitive results reveal any defects in the early stages of construction. The work took place at Green Marine, the UK based yacht builders that have been finishing each yacht, and the Marine Results team was on site for each one as it was completed.
The inspection is part of a requirement of R&Q Insurance Services to fulfil insurance risk assessment requirements. Marine Results has done a further inspection too – four inspectors from the company went to Alicante on 17th September prior to the start of the race, to inspect all the boats again when they were out of the water there.
“We are very pleased to have secured this contract with the Volvo Ocean Race where the integrity of the yachts is so important,” comments Marine Results’ Ed Danby. “Our expertise was called upon by R&Q, the risk assessors, to carry out a survey independent of the builders and designers.”
The Marine Results inspections were designed to flag up any early flaws in the yachts and their rigs, which can be then be rectified before the fleet crosses the start line of the 39,000 mile race.
