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American Sail Training Association

Rig Inspection Protocols for ASTA Member Vessels

Background:

Following two dismastings with fatalities on Subchapter T sailing vessels in Hawaii and

the dismasting of Pride of Baltimore II, the United States Coast Guard has taken a greater

interest in vessel rigging as part of their annual inspections.

rigging inspection for vessels within their operating areas.

Relevance to ASTA Member-Vessel Operations:

Initially, the suggestion was made (and partially concurred with by the Commandant’s

Office) that all sailing passenger vessels should be subject to annual third-party rig

inspections. The Office of the Commandant acknowledged that the marine inspections

department lacks the depth of knowledge to adequately inspect the myriad sailing

passenger vessel rigs currently in service and encourages the use of third-party surveys.

The USCG is looking to ASTA on this topic presenting us with an excellent opportunity to

steer the USCG guidance process. Recognizing that we have superior expertise within our

organization, we propose to utilize our industry experts, the masters of our ships, as

arbiters of the rig inspection process.

ASTA Action:

ASTA has been invited to establish a “best-practices” inspection protocol that member

vessels may employ as an alternative to third-party rig inspections. A task force was

formed consisting of ASTA members, ship masters, mates, and operational staff to draft a

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required to adapt the basic format to individual vessels, and will include:

• Monthly inspections masts, spars, deck hardware, shrouds and stays, deck fittings,

terminals, etc. (see below)

• Non-destructive testing as appropriate

• Documentation maintained , with supporting materials as appropriate, including

photographs, diagrams, inspection checklists with signatures, etc.

• Maintenance history for identified problems and their resolution in addition to with

routine maintenance.

• A reference bibliography for use in determining vessel-specific best practices

and approved by CG headquarters. Vessels choosing not to employ this system or vessels

providing unsatisfactory evidence of compliance with the system may be required by the

USCG to proceed with third-party inspections.

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DRAFT

To: CDR Mark Cruder, USCG

From: American Sail Training Association

Sail Rigging and Masts on Inspected Small Passenger Vessels” issued October 16, 2008 by Sector

Honolulu, and is based upon work by a technical committee of masters, mates, and operational staff

from member organizations and a detailed survey of current practice within the industry. The format

and frequency of inspections is a representation of best practices within our industry that have been

employed by numerous member vessels to maintain their sailing rigs to the satisfaction of the

USCG. We propose to make this protocol an industry standard which can be recognized by an

attending USCG inspector when conducting an inspection.

1. Under the supervision of the master, designated crew will conduct a monthly rig inspection

based on a checklist specific to the vessel. A sample template is provided below as a

maintenance logbook.

It is the intent of ASTA that the full implementation of this protocol by member vessels in

conjunction with an assessment at the time of inspection by an attending USCG Marine Inspector

will serve as an alternative to the third party rigging inspections that have recently been required as

part of annual safety inspections and COI renewals.

Respectfully Submitted,

American Sail Training Association Ship Operations and Safety Committee

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reviewed and signed off on by the master and then maintained in a file for review by company personnel

and the United States Coast Guard. The compendium of monthly rigging inspection reports as well as the

Rigging Maintenance Logbook shall be made available to USCG Marine Inspectors during inspections as

outlined in the ASTA Rigging Inspection Protocol.

The checklist is divided by mast with an additional section for the headrig. If possible a single person should

be responsible for the completion of each respective section with each item initialed upon completion.

Monthly inspections shall be as thorough as possible without the removal of protective coatings or invasive

inspection practices (i.e. service removal). In cases where evidence suggests a more in depth investigation

is required(bleeding rust, oversized holes in tangs, significant chafe, etc.), a notation shall be made on the

In addition to the use of organizational operations and maintenance manuals, ASTA has created a technical

reference bibliography as part of the Rigging Protocol. Collectively these references cover subjects related

to the construction, installation, inspection and maintenance of traditional and modern sailing rigs.

Vessel Name

Date_______________________________

Crew Member______________________ Master ______________________________

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Area-Main Mast

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T

ECHNICAL

B

IBLIOGRAPHY AND

R

EFERENCE

L

IST

:

T

HIS LIST WAS DEVELOPED AS A TOOL OF REFERENCE FOR THOSE CHARGED WITH

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SAILING RIGS IN TRADITIONAL SAILING VESSELS

.

NOT EXHAUSTIVE

DEFINITIVE WORKS PERTAINING TO RIGGING IN PERIOD SAILING VESSELS

.

T

HE INTENT IS NOT

TO PRODUCE A LIST OF WORKS WHICH MUST BE KEPT ABOARD

,