Saturday, May 4, 2013

BOAT SAFETY - Did your boat manufacturer ever INCLINE TEST your boat? DO YOU HAVE THE OFFICIAL TEST RESULTS? WHY ARE YOU TRUSTING A NON-INCLINED BOAT? NAVAL ARCHITECTURE IS A SCIENCE - USE IT!

In several recent boating casualties the crew reported the boat capsizing. Why does a boat capsize? Why didn't it auto-recover?  

DESIGN, LOADING, FLOODING AND/OR STRUCTURE FAILURE. ONE, TWO THREE OR FOUR? OR ANY COMBINATION? IT ALL DEPENDS...

WHAT DO YOU NOTICE ABOUT THESE SINGLE TESTS BELOW? ALL TESTS ARE LIGHT SHIP! THAT IS NOT HOW YOU INTEND TO OPERATE IN THE REAL WORLD. THEREFORE, A LIGHT SHIP TEST IS ONLY A REFERENCE POINT IN THE TESTING PROCESS.


IF THIS IS A SOLO ROWBOAT'S AMOUNT OF STORES-CARGO WHAT MUST A FOUR OR SIX MAN ROWBOAT'S AMOUNT OF STORES-CARGO WEIGH? NOW IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENS IF THE BOAT CAPSIZES AND THESE STORES-CARGO MOVE? NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO AUTO-RIGHT? THE CENTER OF GRAVITY CAN CHANGE. IS THERE RESERVE BUOYANCY?




INCLINE TESTING WITHOUT STORES NOR THE OCCUPANTS?  I'M CONVINCED ROWBOAT DESIGNERS AND BUILDERS ARE WEARING BLINDERS... WITHOUT GOOD KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE TO BE ENGAGING IN THEIR TRADE. WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT BOATERS HIRING THESE PERSONS?  LIKEWISE, NOT QUALIFIED TO BE BOATING? 


SUGGESTED TESTS:

FIRST TEST - LIGHT SHIP
SECOND TEST - WITH OCCUPANTS (MANIKINS)
THIRD TEST - WITH OCCUPANTS AND STARTING A VOYAGE QUANTITY OF STORES-CARGOS (HEAVY)
FOURTH TEST - WITH OCCUPANTS AND ENDING YOUR VOYAGE WITH MINIMUM STORES-CARGO (DEPLETED SUPPLIES)
FIFTH TEST - DROP TEST - HOW HIGH? (OUCH!!!)

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED TESTS: (USING NAVAL ARCHITECTURE SCIENCE)

REPEAT FIRST TEST WITH MAN-HATCHES OPEN.
REPEAT THIRD TEST WITH MAN-HATCHES OPEN
FIANLLY - DO A REAL INCLINE EXPERIMENT...
INCLINE THE BOAT USING KNOWN WEIGHTS RECORDING FREEBOARDS FORWARD, MIDSHIP AND AFT UNTIL WATER COMES OVER THE RAIL WITH A POTENTIAL TO FLOOD BOAT HULL SPACES.


WHEN YOU INTEND TO OPERATE A ROWBOAT WITH VARIOUS CARGOS AND ROW PERSONS YOU MUST DO THE TEST WITH SAME.

DECIDE FOR YOURSELF... SCIENCE OR GUESSING?


1) Ocean rowing boat inversion test




2) Ocean Rowing Boat Avalon self righting test

Video url: http://youtu.be/LHXt3Xi7no4



3.Does Olly's boat self-right?

Video url: http://youtu.be/UwQmyewq5Zg



4. 30 FT Surf Rescue Boat static roll test
Video url: http://youtu.be/9i6A0YESr-w



5. Crash test boat capsize
Video url: http://youtu.be/1mhCYcztA8E
Video 2 url: http://youtu.be/ZPU5lnqLKAo (30 ft SRB in small surf)



More info on Incline Tests and Procedures

A cubic yard of sea water weights 1680 lbs.


Imagine the capsizing force exerted by a 10 foot beam sea on your boat? Napkin quick calc for a 36' length x 6' draft x 9' height sea is about 1680 lbs/yard x 36'/36" x 2 depth x 3 heights =  100,000 lbs. moving at 7mph hitting you broadside. This is a very simplistic calc to demonstrate the power of the ocean. Bottom line - this is going to hurt and potentially capsize your small watercraft. If your craft does not survive - your chances are slim... shelter is the first rule to survival.

Buy a boat wisely for your intended service, outfit it with good proven marine equipment, prepare for your voyage... and practice often with your safety equipment!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclining_test
and
http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/guidance_inclining_test_procedure-6.pdf

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  COMMENTS PLEASE.



I JUST DISCOVERED A VIMEO VIDEO OF A NEW BUILT ROWBOAT - WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS DESIGN? IS IT READY FOR USE IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN WITH ICE? INCLINE TESTED?

Video url: https://vimeo.com/65399277


The Creation of the Craft from Mainstream Last First on Vimeo.

IMG_7416



WATCH THE CAPSIZE TEST VIDEO BELOW:

WHAT DO YOU SEE?  IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE "CRAFT" STALLS INVERTED AND DOES NOT AUTO-RECOVER - THEN THE CRANE LIFTS A STRAP FORCING IT TO ROLL OVER... SORRY - DEFINITELY FAILS AUTO-RECOVERY...  (NOTE THE BOTTOM - SURE WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SLEDGE RUNNERS) I SURE WOULD NOT PLACE MY LIFE ON THE LINE BASED ON THIS TEST... IN A LIGHT SHIP UNLOADED CONDITION? OUCH!!!... NOT THE WAY YOU INTEND TO OPERATE IN THE ARCTIC... WHERE IS A PROFESSIONAL NAVAL ARCHITECT WHO UNDERSTANDS BOAT STABILITY SCIENCE WHEN YOU NEED ONE? MAINSTREAM LASTFIRST EXPEDITION ADVISER "CAPTAIN ALLEN DOMAAS" IS DEFINITELY ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN MY OPINION.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of an incline test - is this a new requirement?

Douglas Pohl said...

This is a long standing requirement for Inspected vessels carrying passengers... small recreational boats are not required to have an incline experiment and a prepared Stability Booklet for various loadings. BUT if you are planning to use your boat for ocean cruising - I'd sure be interested in an incline experiment before betting my life and my families lives on the seaworthiness of a particular boat. Contact your boat's manufacturer and ask if they have or if they know of anyone performing an incline test on your particular model boat. You might be able to contact that person and pay for a copy of the report. BE SAFE!

Anonymous said...

The 'Craft' rowboat has many hull compartments in case of running aground or being 'holed'. It appears that there is no way to 'pump' a compartment. Since the rowboat was not finished there are many details unknown. What was apparent, the cabins are high above the waterline, I think that makes this rowboat tall and tipsy, especially with a flat-bottom I'd be worried about a knock-down capsizing. Have you seen an ocean rowboat design with a deep keel to lowering the center of gravity and improve stability? So many questions that the builder did not really answer. He was very nervous in the video. I don't think he has ever designed an ocean rowboat. Was this his first one? Without a test I sure would not be risking my life in the Arctic on an unproven design rowboat. That is CRAZY.

Douglas Pohl said...

My first view of the above "craft" video leaves little doubt in my mind - this rowboat contraption while builder rich with features has a high center of gravity not conducive to good seakeeping - I'd go so far as to say it is not seaworthy (OMG) - I'd say it would not meet the intent let alone the specifications of IMO ocean service in Arctic waters - but remember this is an experimental "craft". I'd suggest an immediate improvement - at the least - free-port scuppers in the bulwarks to drain water from the enclosed rowing deck. While I'd prefer to see a properly fabricated cambered self-bailing deck without the bulwark sides, add toe-rails with lifelines or use the spare oars as liferails - the present deck is now 'holding' water that contributes to instability - a capsize recovery would be improved with the recommended bulwark free cambered deck. More later...

Anonymous said...

Your observations about the "craft" capsize test is spot on. It stalls and until the crane lifts on a strap it does not roll over. What are these people thinking? Their website says they have professional advisers. Where is the naval architect? Who designed this "craft". I realize it might be an experimental'craft'. Which further demonstrates the urgent need for an incline experiment. I agree with you - I would never go to the outback of the Arctic in an unproven 'craft' which is your primary survival structure for protection from weather AND WILDLIFE (POLAR BEARS). I like the boat builder who when asked if the 'craft' will protect the rowers says 'That's what a shotgun is for". He is the smartest tool in the shop!

Douglas Pohl said...

All I can think of is the "ADVISERS" are token holders - not actual advisers who review nor offer professional opinions - its all for good show? You would think an adviser called "Captain Allen Domaas" would be on top of advising details of a marine nature such as an incline experiment, boat stability, seakeeping, Arctic survival etc... Questions previously asked in e-mails to Kevin Vallely have remained unanswered. All you can do it ask, comment and suggest... no replies speaks volumes on the whole expedition and the participants.

Anonymous said...

Hi

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