Bolt-on Keels must be checked regularly: Designer speaks out

Following the news that an independent inquiry is to be launched into the loss of the keel from the Sydney-Hobart yacht Showtime (See Kraken News February), top naval architect Kevin Dibley has anticipated the findings. The New Zealand-based designer says any enquiry will come to the same conclusions, namely that keels with such configuration ie bolt-ons should be regularly inspected and undergo rigorous analysis. ‘The fin must be checked for signs of corrosion, bolts must be re-checked regularly, and both must be tested by an expert following any impact or grounding,’ Dibley said.