Dismasting is something every sailor hopes they won’t need to deal with. But there are things that can be done to lower the risk of this happening. Here, we’ll share information about dismasting, how to ensure you’re prepared for this and what to do should a dismasting occur.
Read on to find out all you need to know.
What does dismasting mean?
Dismasting occurs when a ship’s mast (or multiple masts) breaks or falls over. This can cause damage to the vessel, injure someone on board, cause the boat to capsize, or make it impossible to sail.
What causes dismasting?
There are a few different causes of dismasting, but it typically happens during bad weather, such as strong winds and storms. Strong winds put stress on various parts of the boat, making them more susceptible to damage.
Other dismasting causes include:
- Collisions with other vessels, rocks or structures
- Aggressive waves smashing into the boat
- Sailor error – for example, if the sail is not being used correctly for the conditions
- A mast becoming weak due to old age or poor maintenance
- Equipment failure caused by wear and tear or poor design
What happens when a mast breaks?
When a mast breaks, the vessel becomes difficult to sail due to instability, especially during unfavourable weather or when navigating rough waters. This could result in the boat capsizing or flooding, which may require those onboard to abandon the vessel for their own safety. However, this is the worst-case scenario, and quite often, a dismasting can be dealt with to keep damage and risk to a minimum.
In many dismasting situations, the boat won’t be able to continue moving, as its sails help it propel forward. A backup or emergency sail is a practical way to overcome this issue.
If you're sailing on gentle, sheltered waters, a dismasting won't necessarily be dramatic. You'll likely be able to eliminate any potential issues and sail on safely.
Staying safe during a dismasting
There are numerous steps you can take to ensure the safety of yourself and anyone else on board during a dismasting.
Preparation
Have a dismasting plan in place, so you’re prepared should the worst happen. When you know what you’d do should this occur while out sailing, you’ll have the confidence to put your plan into action without panicking. Creating a plan will also mean you have what you need on board. Make sure that any tools you may need, such as bolt cutters, are protected and well-maintained – you don’t want to reach for them in an emergency and find they’ve seized up or gone missing.
Tools
In addition to a good pair of bolt cutters, many other tools can help in the event of a dismasting. These include a hacksaw, pulling and punching tools for removing stubborn clevis pins, and a sharp knife or small axe for cutting lines. Try out your tools on similar materials to ensure they do the job. You may also want multiple sets of tools depending on your vessel and crew size.
Related: Essential items to have on a boat
Communication
In the event of a dismasting, being able to communicate and ask for help is absolutely vital. Having multiple communication options available to you can help with this. A satellite phone is perfect because you might lose your radio connections should they become damaged. You should also make sure that anyone on board with you knows how to use the communication channels, who they'd need to contact, and what they'd need to say during a dismasting.
Safety
As with many hobbies, safety must come first should something potentially dangerous, such as a dismasting, take place while you're out on the water. Put the needs of yourself and others on board before your vessel, even though this might not come naturally to you at the time. During a dismasting, all crew members should wear a lifejacket and waterproofs.
Related: Boat safety tips
Maintain your vessel
By maintaining your vessel, you can ensure that it's safe to sail, and you'll be able to pick up on any potential issues, such as loose parts, corrosion, broken wire strands, or damage to the mast. If you find something that could cause a safety problem while sailing, get this fixed before heading out. It's not worth the risk, especially when bad weather can quickly turn a minor issue into a dismasting.
What to do during a dismasting
When it comes to practical steps to take during the dismasting, the following should be considered:
- Secure any loose or broken pieces to prevent them from causing further damage to the vessel or injuring a crew member.
- If the mast is damaged beyond repair, use cutting tools to remove it. This will help to limit the risk of capsizing.
- Deploy your backup or emergency sail if you have one so you can take yourself and others on board to safety. If you don't have a backup or emergency sail installed, you should consider getting one of these as part of your preparation plan.
- Stay mindful of weather conditions and how these could impact what you’re doing to stay safe. Some of the best sailing apps on the market can keep you up to date on what weather to expect on your journey.
- Check your fuel levels, ensure no loose lines could have a negative impact on your engine, and clear any floating debris that may cause issues when you attempt to move.
What to do after a dismasting
Once you and your crew are safe and off the boat, make your way through these steps:
- Check in with everyone who was on board to see if they have any injuries that need addressing.
- Take photos of the damage and make notes of anything you and your crew remember – this may help with your insurance claim.
- Report the incident to the relevant authorities, ensuring you include details of what may have caused the dismasting, such as strong winds.
Specialist boat insurance through Insure4Boats
Specialist boat insurance through Insure4Boats protects your boat against accidental damage, theft, malicious damage, and salvage charges.
You can also opt to include Third Party Liability and contents protection, so you have nothing to worry about when cruising the waterways.
Find out more about specialist boat insurance through Insure4Boats or get an instant online quote today.
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.
