What really happened to Polina Star 111   ?

The below is reproduced with the kind permission of Charles J Doane of Wavetrain

The genesis of this story was an incident that occurred back in July 2015 in which Polina Star III, an Oyster 825, which reportedly had been extended to 90 feet and was just over a year old, was lost off the coast of Spain. The very first report came from Oyster, but contained no details, stating only that the boat “suffered a serious incident which compromised the integrity of the moulded hull.” A follow-up report by Yachting World, published in August, added little more, noting only that Oyster believed the boat may have run aground and there were rumors it had capsized before foundering.

Oyster 825 Polina Star 111 Under Sail                   Polina Star in slings following salvage

In the last few days the Italian skipper of the boat has been sharing his account of the event, and photos of the wreck, which was recovered and has been closely examined, have also been circulating online. Though the exact causes are unclear, it is perfectly clear that there was no grounding and that the boat suffered from major hull delamination that led to its keel suddenly falling off.

The photographs of the damage, which have been published by a pair of German and Russian sailing publications, are staggering:

Laminate torn away                                                       Exposed wiring / services 

Root of stub keel                                                              Intact keel bolts

The skipper, Alessio Cannoni, who has straightforwardly identified himself as “Alessiocannoni” in a Cruisers Forum discussion of the event, described the incident as follows:

FACT 1: (why I know what I know)

The owner built the boat with the target to sail around the world, then he asked to me to follow the commissioning, to prepare the boat for this long trip and to choose and to organize the crew. I arrived in the shipyard in the April 2014, and I stayed there every day up to the launch of the boat in July, then I have sailed on her as captain about 10.000 miles: Southampton- Norway and back, Southampton-Las Palmas, ARC rally, cruises in Caribe, Antigua-Alicante (we never arrived).

FACT 2: (the crew)

The boat had two permanent crew member, to be able to manage this aspect I have organized a turn-over of 5 people:
Alessio Cannoni
Dafne Mele
Giulia Visintin
Monica Rosini
Riccardo Salimbeni

during last trip the professional crew was: me and Dafne.

FACT 3 (the boat design)

the boat was not extended, she was designed and built by Oyster exactly as you can see in the pictures.

FACT 4: (the meteo)

we sunk in a sunny day we were reaching in 18 kn of TW with about 1.3 m of wave, sailing with staysail and 80% main sail.

FACT 5: (SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT)

3 JULY 2015 TIME 14:07′
strong noise with vibration from the hull
14:07’15”
big flooding in the engine room
14:07’30”
water over the service batteries; all systems KO
14:07’45”
I bear away, the crew prepare emergency bilge pump, life rafts, grab bags, furl manually the stay sail, send the may-day by standard-C and by VHF
14:13′
the keel disconnected completely and the boat capsized, in that moment I was standing up in front of the chart table (deck-house) sending the may-day, the water was already cooling down my balls.
a fishing boat “fished”us after a couple of hours.

Keel still attached to stub keel                                      Broader view of keel

FACT 6:

we made a video from the life raft, it show the two rudders pointing the sky perfectly intact, a big hole in to the hull; the relic float upside down all night long, the following morning we found the boat still floating about 15 miles from the capsizing point, one missing rudder, the other one partially broken.

FACT 7:

the CEO of Oyster knows exactly this story, he sent two people on site the following day, I told them every single detail of the accident and I gave to them all the pictures and movies that I had and that I still have.

The relic of the boat and the keel was rescued in October. This operation was a month-long, I participated to this operation and I participated also to the survey performed by all the insurance company’s surveyors. We are waiting for the response.

  Polina Star 111

Author’s Background – Who is Charlie J Doane ?

Charlie has worked as a boating journalist since 1986, including stints on staff at SAIL, Cruising World, and Offshore.  Currently he is cruising editor for SAIL.  His freelance work has appeared in Ocean Navigator, Blue Water Sailing, the New York Times, Sailing, Yachting Monthly, Yachting World, Good Old Boat, and other seemingly reputable publications.

Link – http://wavetrain.net/news-a-views/705-another-major-keel-failure-what-really-happened-to-polina-star-iii

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd.  Marine Surveyors & Consultants 
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections

www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: 01603 327 123

Japan – A long way to go for a Marine (Insurance) Survey, but a great adventure & experience

Several years ago back in 2007 we had the pleasure and honour to be instructed by a large Japanese Corporation to undertake a Condition Survey / Valuation of this most famous 110′ gaff rigged ketch built in 1927 by Camper & Nicholsons UK.  (Launched as ‘Gwendolen’)  We therefore thought that this condition / valuation survey would make an interesting blog

Dimensions:   Auxilliary Gaff Rigged Ketch ‘Cynara’        LOA  109′ 8″ x   Beam 18′ 7″ x   Draft 11′ 3″

Rumour is that ‘Cynara’ belonged at one time to Winston Churchill. The Cynara itself doesn’t have a log. It also doesn’t have a certificate to prove Churchill’s ownership. However the Japanese owner’s believe this to be true

During her early years she was owned by Lord Northampton, her longest owner to date, and was later used for charter in the Mediterranean where she entertained the likes of Prince William of Gloucester. Another of her accolades involves the film industry where Cynara starred in the film, Arriverderci Baby ! with Tony Curtis and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Cynara (73.4 tons) was sailed to Japan in 1973 to become a promotional tool for ‘Seibu’, a Japanese department store. Cooking classes were held on ‘Seibu’s luxury yacht’ as part of the companies’ ‘edutainment concept’ and she regularly went out on sunset cruises. During this time her devoted skipper took serious pride over the maintenance of the vessel, especially when it came to his varnish!

View aft standing on bow sprit                  Deck view                   View from beneath with a 11′ 3″ draft

Japan (Tokyo) is a long way to go to undertake a condition survey & market valuation, plus travelling south to Kanagawa (marina) which took a day by car, but had the pleasure of the bullet train ride back to Tokyo – a very rewarding experience

If anyone wants to know what it is like staying in a local Japanese hotel with communal bathing and sleeping on a mat on the floor plus eating ‘real’ Japanese food,  don’t ask.

       My two Japanese helpers

Plan of Cynara

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd – Marine Surveyors & Consultants Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Delta RIB  5.5m

Acting as Marine Insurance Loss Adjusters, European Marine Services was recently instructed to inspect and report as follows:

• Casualty details including views on what caused the damage.
• Review the estimates for repairs to the third party vessel and advise whether you consider the work fair, reasonable and casualty related.
• Provide us with your reserve estimate.
• Witness details, where applicable.
• Subrogation* details, where applicable  ( * Insurer’s right to pursue a third party)
• Photographs of the damage.

The accident happened at speed and resulted in extensive damage to the GRP hull plus rupturing the inflatable tube (sponson) with the RIB being close to sinking.  Fortunately no one was hurt

View of extensive damage to GRP hull

What is important is not the results of our investigation / inspection or how the accident happened which remains confidential, but that the insurance company required the following documentation as part of its claim consideration from the insured parties

• Warranted all vessels classed and certified
• Warranted all vessels are fit to encounter the ordinary peril of seas, rivers, lakes or navigable waters, properly crewed, equipped, fuelled, provisioned and with all equipment in proper working order. Seaworthiness applies not only to the physical conditions  of the hull but to all its parts, equipment and gear.
• Were the crew fully qualified up to RYA Level 2 power boating, VHF AND Sea Survival courses.

The above clauses (extracts) being part of the Insured Marine Policy Terms & Conditions  ie. the small print

This being important to boat owners whom have the misfortunate to make a claim in the event of an accident

Therefore make sure that as an owner / operator / user of small high speed craft that you are fully aware of the Insurance T&Cs,        

If not you may possibly find that you have no cover

DC27 – Salvage Buyer Required                                                                                         (# 00870)

Due to an unfortunate incident (not a structural fault) this private Dawn Craft – DC 27 boat unfortunately sank earlier this year but was quickly refloated with minimal structural damage

Inboard petrol engine has been partially inhibited (bores filled with oil etc) propulsion being an outdrive unit

We represent a major Marine Insurance Company who have requested we dispose of this DC 27 on their behalf and are therefore looking for a salvage buyer – professional or private

If interested contact us as below

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd – Marine Surveyors & Consultants Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Herbert Woods Gaff Rigged Half Decker 1937                                                               

This 20′ gaff rigged broads yacht is a classic and was built by Herbert Woods of Potter Heigham at the same time as the early YBOD (White Boats) that currently race on Wroxham & Barton Broads

To all intents and purposes this yacht is actually a White Boat with some small changes, such as there is no horse with a block fitted for the mainsheet on the aft deck.  The keel is also slightly longer and possibly a fraction deeper however everything else is the same.  Herbert Woods may well have experimented with this yacht and YBOD sails will almost certainly fit

She has been kept in a garage for the last couple of years and being unused is in very good condition, being re-planked in 2006.

We undertook a pre purchase survey and found only minor problems such being easily remedied. The seams being sikaflexed have done well although there is a risk of taking on a lot of water when next launched, but the seams will quickly take up.

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Hampton Safari 25  – Survey for Insurance Purposes                 

Louis Bodmer – This week undertook at Eastwood Whelpton – Upton Yacht Station (home of one of the few dedicated sailing hire fleets on the Norfok Broads) – An insurance survey of this 40+ year old Hampton 25, being probably an ex hire boat, but now in private hands

The Hampton Safari originated on Oulton Broad in the early 60s (initially in wood) being a forward drive hire boat.  Subsequently GRP mouldings were made and many other builders (including Dawn Craft Wroxham) produced this very popular inland waterway boat, both as private and hire craft.

The first Hamptons with sliding forward roofs were produced in 1968 followed by sunshine roof versions.  The hull has a long central box keel giving good manoeuvrability and versions produced as 2 / 4 berth with a single central engine

This particular boat needs quite a lot of cosmetic attention plus improvement to services installations.  To include battery electrics, fuel system and LPG installations

The painted hull has been subject to impact damage especially in the bow area and gunwale fendering bolts show evidence of external corrosion.  The mild steel extended skeg arrangement supporting the single semi balanced rudder shows evidence of corrosion

No boat has sunk as a direct consequence of osmosis – and as always in the majority of broads based boats of this vintage there is intermittent osmosis. The extent is not too severe and structurally this boat should continue for many more years to come

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course or call us to discuss

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

County Court Judgements  CCJ’s   ……………………..   NAME  &  SHAME

To:    All Yacht Brokers, Boatyards and Marine Service Providers  –  BE  AWARE

European Marine Services Ltd have the following Marine Services – Bad Debts  ….

Despite CCJ’s and issued Warrants we regretfully have been unable to secure payment from the following parties for marine services provided

Warrant #  0A021983     Seamaster 813    ‘Thrifty Six’      £ 429.00          (#781)                              Mr Stewart Rogers of   7b Market Place, Bungay Suffolk

Warrant #  0A021999      Bourne 30          ‘Tipple Too’       £ 449.80           (#749)                             Mr Peter Gray of   3 Stockmen Field, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire.   We believe the party is converting this boat to live-aboard

Should you know of these parties or have any current address we would be pleased to hear from you   –    Please share / circulate

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

 Mariah 260 Sports cruiser – Insurance Claim Sinking                                                 

European Marine as loss adjusters were instructed by a major marine insurance company to inspect this boat following its unfortunate incident and establish the following:

Causation and any action taken to prevent such a loss    Accidental damage if any to have caused this loss.   Mooring conditions and Condition of vessel prior to the incident.   

The background to the incident was that the vessel hit an underwater object resulting in major damage to the Mercruiser outdrive unit, resulting in the ingress of water, partial sinking and a flooded engine compartment

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 12301603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Princess 266 – Accidental Sinking      

European Marine as loss adjusters were instructed by a major marine insurance company to inspect this boat following its unfortunate incident and establish the following:

The cause as to the accident. Any accidental damage. Mooring conditions and condition of vessel prior to the incident.

The background to the incident was that the vessel due to strong prevailing winds, with a combination of high tides the vessel was blown onto the bank with the aft cockpit / cabin partly submerged. Consequential damage to the two Volvo Penta petrol engines, engine compartment flooded and rear cabin flooded

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 12301603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Chris Craft 26  (1938)                                                                                                                   

We were instructed by the owner to undertake an inspection for insurance purposes of the 1938 classic 26′ Chris Craft. Other than a few very minor problems this 76 year old Chris Craft passed with flying colours and is a credit to her current owner having taken the time at enormous cost to (almost) rebuild her to an as-new condition

  View of internal structural condition

The owner found  Chris  (ex Charleston) in 2007 , rotten as a pear  and barely afloat,   languishing on the Thames at Trinity Buoy Wharf,  London E14.

In 2007  she was taken to Woods Dyke boatyard Horning  for repairs, which ultimately developed in to a full rebuild. Woods Dyke closed half way through the rebuild so I took her to Phoenix Boatyard at Potter Higham where I discovered that  much of the work done at Woods dyke was of a poor standard and had to be redone. The owner virtually rebuilt the entire boat at Phoenix, leaving untouched only some frames, small sections of chine , the stem and part of the center line , which were in excellent condition. So she can still be considered as an original  vintage boat rather than a new build.

She had previously spent a number of years on the Norfolk Broads but the owner was unable to definitely establish this for definite and there is another virtually  identical Chris-Craft called “Roma”  moored at Richardson’s in Potter Higham and there may be confusion about which boat is which.

The Nanni 3.8 9 (with upgraded 100 amp alternator),  Halyard CV05 Aquadrive,  flexible engine mounts and s/s shaft were  all new and fitted in 2009,  since when the boat  has had  only minimal use but has been stored under cover and the engine has been serviced and regularly  run under load, every week or so.

For information & marine surveys contact European Marine Services Ltd                                            

Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com