Report Text:
The owner of a traditional gaff-rigged yacht advised that the mast had been lost when sailing in wind of 15 to 20 knots. Ā This was caused by the failure of a splice on the starboard forward shroud of main mast.Ā On examination it was found that a copper wire lightning conductor, which had been routed down the shroud, had been Ā touching Ā theĀ splice through the rope serving. This had resulted in Ā corrosion of the galvanised wire.
CHIRP Comment:
A reminder of the care needed to avoid galvanic action between dissimilar metals. Ā The Editor still remembers an incident on a Ā vessel on which he was serving when the aluminium radar tower secured directly by steel bolts toppled over!
