WHY BOATS SINK (AND WHAT THE INDUSTRY CAN DO ABOUT IT) Brian Goodwin, Technical Director, ABYC Beth A. Leonard, Director of Technical Services, BoatU.S. Daniel K. Rutherford, IAMI-CMI, Ocean Marine Specialties, Inc. IBEX September16, 2015

WHY BOATS SINK: OBJECTIVES TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BOATS THAT SINK 1.WHY BOATS SINK – BASED ON EXPERIENCES IN THE FIELD AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE BOATU.S. CLAIM FILES 2.WHAT DESIGNERS CAN DO TO REDUCE SINKINGS 3.WHAT BUILDERS CAN DO TO REDUCE SINKINGS 4.WHAT BOATYARDS CAN TO DO REDUCE SINKINGS 5.WHAT MARINAS CAN DO TO REDUCE SINKINGS

WHY BOATS SINK INTRODUCTION COCKPIT DRAINAGE ISSUES CAPACITY ISSUES MAINTENANCE ISSUES ADDRESSING NEGLECT CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

WHY BOATS SINK - INTRODUCTION A REAL WORLD EXAMPLE – AUGUST 13, 2014 LESSONS LEARNED FROM BOATU.S. CLAIM FILES

FIRST THINGS FIRST HOW DO WE DEFINE SINKING? BOAT SITTING AT THE DOCK WITH WATER COMING IN THROUGH THE SHAFT STUFFING BOX AT A SLOW ENOUGH RATE THE BILGE PUMP CAN KEEP UP? BOAT THAT GETS SWAMPED BY WAVES? BOAT WITH POSITIVE FLOTATION THAT STAYS ON SURFACE THOUGH IT’S SUBMERGED? BOAT WITH A LEAK THROUGH A HATCH OR A PORTLIGHT?

DEFINING SINKING “YOU CAN BAIL WATER 24/7, AND NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU ARE AT NOT SINKING, YOU STILL HAVE A HOLE IN YOUR BOAT.” - KELLI JAE BAELI, CROSSING PATHS

FIRST THINGS FIRST A BOAT IS SINKING IF IT MUST BE ACTIVELY PUMPED OUT TO REMAIN AFLOAT AND UNDAMAGED.

IF THE BILGE PUMP IS RUNNING, THE BOAT IS (MOST LIKELY) SINKING! WELL-DESIGNED BOATS DO NOT SINK BECAUSE THE BILGE PUMP FAILS MOST BILGE PUMPS ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR CONTINUOUS DUTY NOR MEANT TO KEEP THE BOAT AFLOAT IN AN INUNDATION SITUATION BILGE PUMPS ARE MEANT TO: REMOVE NUISANCE WATER – SPLASH AND SPRAY GIVE YOU SOME TIME TO DEAL WITH NON-NUISANCE LEAKS TIME SHOULD BE MEASURED IN MINUTES OR HOURS, NOT DAYS OR WEEKS

IF WATER IS COMING IN THROUGH THE SCUPPERS, THE BOAT IS (MOST LIKELY) SINKING! OVERLOADED OVERALL OR IN ONE PART OF THE BOAT SO THAT WATER COMES UP THROUGH THE SCUPPERS SWAMPING THROUGH TRANSOM SO THAT STERN STARTS TO SQUAT PUTTING DRAINS BELOW THE WATERLINE RAINWATER ACCUMULATING MORE QUICKLY THAN DRAINS CAN REMOVE IT SWAMPING DUE TO WAVES SO THAT COCKPIT CANNOT DRAIN

WHAT THE STANDARDS HAVE TO SAY H-3 H-4 H-5, H-26, H-28, H-35, S- 30 H-8 H-22, H-27

OVERVIEW – 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

OVERVIEW – 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Marina/ Boatyard Designer/ Builder Operator Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

OVERVIEW – 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

OVERVIEW – 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

WINTER SINKINGS 2012 HAPPENED TO BE A YEAR WITH ALMOST NO WINTER SINKINGS; NOT SO FOR MOST RECENT WINTERS WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE 2006 ANALYSIS?

LOW TRANSOM CUTOUT MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM IN LAST SINKING ANALYSIS; NEW DESIGNS PUT OUTBOARDS IN SPLASH WELL WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE 2006 ANALYSIS?

WHY BOATS SINK INTRODUCTION COCKPIT DRAINAGE ISSUES CAPACITY ISSUES MAINTENANCE ISSUES ADDRESSING NEGLECT CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

OVERVIEW – 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Designer/ Builder Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

CONCEPTS IN DESIGN Bathtub vs. Bottle Intended use

ABYC H-4 COCKPIT DRAINAGE SYSTEMS QUICK DRAINING COCKPIT WITH WATERTIGHT SOLES QUICK DRAINING COCKPIT WITH WEATHERTIGHT SOLES SELF-BAILING OR SELF-DRAINING COCKPITS NON-DRAINING COCKPITS COCKPITS THAT ARE DRAINED BY OPERATOR INTERVENTION ONLY ASSISTED BAILING

H-22 ELECTRIC BILGE PUMP SYSTEMS Source: Navy Salvors Handbook

WHY BOATS SINK: DESIGN AND BUILD ISSUES ADEQUATE COCKPIT DRAINAGE WHAT THE STANDARDS SAY WHAT HAPPENS AS BOATS AGE WHAT HAPPENS AS STORMS BECOME MORE INTENSE ACCESSIBILITY OF BELOW-WATERLINE FITTINGS NON-WATERTIGHT HATCHES THAT ARE VULNERABLE TO WATER INTRUSION

WHY BOATS SINK INTRODUCTION COCKPIT DRAINAGE ISSUES CAPACITY ISSUES MAINTENANCE ISSUES ADDRESSING NEGLECT CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

OVERVIEW – 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Marina/ Boatyard Designer/ Builder Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

S-30 OUTBOARD ENGINE AND RELATED EQUIPMENT WEIGHTS HPCFR (1984) *

WHY BOATS SINK INTRODUCTION COCKPIT DRAINAGE ISSUES CAPACITY ISSUES MAINTENANCE ISSUES ADDRESSING NEGLECT CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

OVERVIEW – 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Marina/ Boatyard Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

DOCKING ISSUES MOST DOCKING ISSUES HAVE TO DO WITH THE LINES NOT RISING AND FALLING WITH THE CHANGES IN WATER LEVEL…

HOW TO PREVENT SHORE LINES FROM TRAPPING BOATS TYING UP THE BOAT PROPERLY: ADEQUATE FENDERS TO KEEP BOAT OFF THE DOCK AT ALL TIDE LEVELS LONG LINES ATTACHED AT A SHALLOW ANGLE TO THE BOAT SPRINGLINES SET UP FROM BOW AND STERN THAT RUN THE LENGTH OF THE BOAT CROSSED STERN LINES

UNSECURED FITTING DRAIN PLUGS DRAIN PLUGS NOT PUT IN DRAIN PLUGS NOT SECURED SEA STRAINER LIDS LOOSE SEA STRAINER LIDS LID NOT REPLACED AFTER WINTERIZING SHORE WATER HOT WATER HEATER FITTINGS HOSES LEFT ON AFTER CLEANING 43% 14% 23% Owner/operator/boatyard or marina employee doesn’t secure an otherwise working fitting…

PREVENTING SINKING FROM UNSECURED FITTINGS – PRE-LAUNCH CHECKLIST 1.CHECK FOR BILGE PLUG BEFORE LAUNCHING 2.CHECK SEA STRAINERS AND FILTERS ON REFRIGERATORS, AC, ETC. 3.MAKE SURE ALL HOSES AND HOSE CLAMPS ARE SECURE 4.CHECK FOR WATER INGRESS IMMEDIATELY AFTER LAUNCHING

OVERVIEW – 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Marina/ Boatyard Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

TYPICAL SINKING SCENARIO: WEAR, TEAR, CORROSION 1.WATER ENTERING FROM SOMEWHERE AT A SLOW RATE 2.BILGE PUMP KEEPS UP UNTIL: 1.FLOW OF WATER INCREASES SO THAT BILGE PUMP CANNOT KEEP UP 2.BILGE PUMP FAILS 3.BATTERIES GO FLAT OR SHORE POWER GOES OUT 3.BOAT SINKS PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY

WEAR, TEAR, AND CORROSION: 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

HOW STERN DRIVES SINK BOATS STERNDRIVE AT WATERLINE BELLOWS KEEP WATER OUT 78% OF SINKINGS FROM STERN DRIVE FAILURES ARE DUE TO DAMAGED BELLOWS

STERN DRIVE BELLOWS FAILURES AGE AND DETERIORATION REGULAR INSPECTION TEARING FROM FATIGUE REPLACE BELLOWS EVERY 3-6 YEARS MARINE GROWTH DAMAGE ANNUAL HAUL OUT TO CLEAN MARINE GROWTH OUT OF BELLOWS

WEAR, TEAR, AND CORROSION: 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

HOW COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS SINK BOATS OVERHEATING LEADING TO MELTED EXHAUST HOSE LEAK IN RAW WATER SYSTEM

HOW OVERHEATING SINKS BOATS IMPELLER FAILURE REPLACE EVERY OTHER YEAR REPLACE IF ENGINE LOOSES COOLING WATER AND OVERHEATS CLOGGED HOSES/HEAT EXCHANGER FLUSH HEAT EXCHANGER AND HOSES AS PER MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDATION REPLACE HOSES AT LEAST EVERY TEN YEARS MELTED EXHAUST HOSE

WEAR, TEAR, AND CORROSION: 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

HOW SHAFT LOGS SINK BOATS LEAKING STUFFING BOX NO LEAKS WHEN ENGINE NOT RUNNING; 2-3 DROPS PER MINUTE WHEN RUNNING REPLACE STUFFING AS PER MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDATION SHAFT SEAL INSTALLATION ISSUES USE ONLY QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN TO INSTALL INSPECT REGULARLY FOR FIRST 20 HOURS OF USE SHAFT SEAL COOLING HOSE LEAKS INSPECT REGULARLY TO BE SURE HOSE IS SECURE AND HOSE CLAMP IS GRIPPING BARB SECURE ABOVE WATERLINE IF NOT IN USE

WEAR, TEAR, AND CORROSION: 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

HOW COCKPIT DRAINAGE SINKS BOATS BROKEN PLASTIC FITTINGS DETERIORATED HOSES

TO PREVENT COCKPIT DRAINAGE ISSUES: 1.IF COCKPIT DRAINAGE IS INACCESSIBLE, INSTALL ACCESS HATCH 2.INSPECT ALL HOSES, HOSE CLAMPS AND FITTINGS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SEASON 3.TIGHTEN LOOSE HOSE CLAMPS AS NEEDED 4. CHANGE HOSES AFTER TEN YEARS OR WHEN THEY SHOW ANY SIGN OF DETERIORATION

HOW LIVEWELLS SINK BOATS ACCESS ISSUES CAN BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS ANY OF THE FITTINGS FOR THE LIVEWELL WHICH MAKES INSPECTION ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE LOOSE HOSES SEE MORE LOOSE HOSES ON LIVEWELLS THAN ANYTHING OTHER THAN COCKPIT DRAINS, IN PART DUE TO ACCESS STRUCTURAL ISSUES LIVEWELL STRUCTURE IS SOMETIMES FRAGILE – THIS CRACKED WHEN BOAT CAME OFF A WAVE AND WAS THE ONLY DAMAGE TO THE BOAT BUT CAUSED IT TO SINK

WHY BOATS SINK INTRODUCTION COCKPIT DRAINAGE ISSUES CAPACITY ISSUES MAINTENANCE ISSUES ADDRESSING NEGLECT CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

WEAR, TEAR, AND CORROSION: 2012 SINKING CLAIMS Source: Analysis of BoatU.S. Marine Insurance claim files

HOW NEGLECT SINKS BOATS Given enough time, water will start entering almost anywhere…

HOW NEGLECT SINKS BOATS Eventually water will backfill through larger opening…

WHY BOATS SINK INTRODUCTION COCKPIT DRAINAGE ISSUES CAPACITY ISSUES MAINTENANCE ISSUES ADDRESSING NEGLECT CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DESIGNERS 1.DESIGN TO THE STANDARDS AS A MINIMUM 2.EVALUATE DESIGN AT VARIOUS ANGLES OF HEEL, TRIM, AND CAPACITY 3.ENSURE ADEQUATE COCKPIT DRAINAGE DO NOT DRAIN COCKPITS OR HATCH GUTTERS INTO THE BILGE CONSIDER LEVEL OF SCUPPER TO FULLY-LOADED WATERLINE AT LAUNCH AND IN THE FUTURE DESIGN FOR HIGH-VOLUME RAINSTORM EVENTS 4.DESIGN FOR ACCESSIBILITY TO INSPECT AND REPLACE HOSES 5.BUILD IN ADEQUATE SAFETY MARGIN FOR WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE ACCEPTABLE USE

FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUILDERS 1.BUILD TO THE STANDARDS AS A MINIMUM 2.EVALUATE DRAINAGE AND DOWN FLOODING POINT AT MULTIPLE ANGLES OF HEEL, TRIM, AND CAPACITY 3.PROVIDE ACCESSIBILITY TO INSPECT AND REPLACE HOSES 4.SEAL ALL DECK AND ENGINE WELL PENETRATIONS 5.USE QUALITY MATERIALS THAT WILL RESIST WEAR, TEAR, AND CORROSION UV-RESISTANT HATCH MATERIALS STAINLESS STEEL HOSE CLAMPS HIGH-QUALITY, REINFORCED HOSES BELOW THE WATERLINE

FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOATYARDS 1.CREATE DETAILED PRE-LAUNCH CHECKLISTS CHECK FOR BILGE PLUG BEFORE LAUNCHING MAKE SURE ALL HOSES AND HOSE CLAMPS ARE SECURE CHECK SEA STRAINERS AND FILTERS ON REFRIGERATORS, AC, ETC. CHECK FOR WATER INGRESS IMMEDIATELY AFTER LAUNCHING 2.ADVISE CUSTOMERS IF ENGINE UPGRADES OR OTHER ACCESSORIES MAY EXCEED BOAT’S CAPACITY OR REDUCE ITS STABILITY 3.ESTABLISH DETAILED MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF BOATS AND MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS 4.INFORM CUSTOMERS OF POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES BELOW THE WATERLINE – YOUR EMPLOYEES MAY BE THE ONLY ONES WHO WOULD EVER SEE THEM ON MANY BOATS 5.BE PROACTIVE! IDENTIFY PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY BECOME PROBLEMS

FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MARINAS 1.WALK THE DOCKS DAILY CHECK WATERLINES LISTEN FOR FREQUENTLY RUNNING BILGE PUMPS LOOK FOR DEBRIS IN COCKPIT INSPECT LINES AND FENDERS 2.INSPECT BOATS IN THE WATER REGULARLY DURING THE WINTER 3.CALL THE OWNER AT THE FIRST SIGN OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS 4.CALL THE INSURANCE CARRIER IF THE OWNER DOES NOT RESPOND 5.IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM, TAKE ACTION

THANK YOU, AND DON’T END UP LIKE THIS GUY THIS WINTER… QUESTIONS?