This true story illustrates the need for preventative measures:
Their boat left Harwich on 7th May and arrived at its destination some weeks later. The cruising area was not familiar and the need to retrace their route over a distance of three miles meant that the buoyage was reversed. Although aware of this factor the skipper unfortunately gave the wrong instructions to the helm.
There was a very loud clunk, the skipper looked at the chart again realising that his track had taken them onto a submerged rock. The engine was put into neutral and everything seemed OK. The external and solid iron keel seemed to have taken the shock of collision well. For safety he switched on the bilge pump and was horrified to hear it pumping water. The cabin sole was lifted and he saw water filling the bilge. Very soon the level had reached over the sole. They were sinking.
In this case the yacht and her crew survived, fortunately they had on board an emergency repair device which they knew how to use. For your own protection find out about the following:
SUBRELLA is a patented folding emergency repair patch for your vessel. As a temporary repair device it fully meets the classification of "Essential Equipment" within the RNLI - SEA CHECK advisory document.
The device is simply a folding patch, which because of its simplicity can be applied quickly and effectively with no elaborate instructions to follow nor physical effort required.
Small children too young to understand the technicalities have succeeded in deploying it at their first attempt!
Click here to be taken to the Subrella page, showing an animation of the product in action.
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| Many yacht instrument systems can provide voltage readings
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The makers WALPORT INTERNATIONAL Ltd. Were established in 1953, and been producing SUBRELLA, since 1974. Their knowledge and experience on hull damage bolsters the development of SUBRELLA.Of course, they cannot predict the shape of the hole or when you will get it. However it is known that it will most likely be rectangular shaped, and where it is likely to occur - in the least supported regions of the hull. Their knowledge is passed on through this web site in order to help you understand in advance everything about holes, just in case one day you need it to save your life and that of your crew. You might even go to the aid of another vessel.
Size range and recommended usage:
Holes come in all shapes and sizes, small boats can sustain large holes and larger boats get small holes. As much as anything it is a matter of personal preference which of the sizes you buy, however you should be aware that a large boat going at the same speed as a small boat would strike an object with a greater force. Therefore, the tendency would be for larger to boats to sustain a larger hole. The most likely location is that which is least supported. Such areas tend to be the least cluttered and therefore have reasonable access. If you can get an arm to the damage, you can get SUBRELLA to it!
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Size D ( approximate size, 30.5 cms sq. ) Day cruisers / yachts up to 7.5 m
- Size E ( approximate size, 45.7 cms sq. ) Sea going craft 7.5 to 10.5 m
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Size F ( approximate size, 55.9 cms sq. ) Sea going craft 10.5 to 14 m
Vessels above 15 m in length which are Ocean going are recommended to carry at least one other of the size range such as D or E.
Please contact Subrella directly for more information and price lists.
