Breakthrough in Fatigue Monitoring Identifies Rig Hazards Before You Set Sail
by Cyclops Marine 19 Nov 01:00 PST
Breakthrough in Fatigue Monitoring Identifies Rig Hazards Before You Set Sail © Cyclops Marine
Imagine knowing your rig was on the brink of failure due to fatigue before stepping aboard your yacht. You could easily schedule a service and return to safe sailing promptly.
Anyone who’s faced the peril of rig failure firsthand understands how invaluable such a warning would be, potentially avoiding a costly and dangerous accident, and perhaps even preserving lives.
Nominated for the DAME Design Award, Cyclops Marine’s groundbreaking technology equips sailors with the foresight needed to safeguard their rigs. Once implemented, this will be integrated into Cyclops’ existing sensor range, enhancing the value of their industry-leading load monitoring solutions at no additional cost to sailors.
Transforming safety, service, and maintenance, this technology will also raise resale values for yachts with verified fatigue data, while reducing insurance costs for those equipped with Cyclops systems. Charter fleet operators can utilize the system to ensure optimal operational capacity.
Fatigue: The Hidden Hazard
Current load sensors monitor real-time rig loads, helping prevent overloads as sailors can act before hitting maximum working limits. However, rig failure can often be caused by slow, undetectable stress fractures. Over time, rigging’s mechanical properties decline—hidden stress weakens essential components—leading to failure at lower loads. Cyclops’ Fatigue Monitoring System evaluates rig health and lifespan based on extensive load data gathered over time.
Revealing the Hidden Dangers: How Rig Health is Monitored
By incorporating new firmware into its existing series, the System employs established internationally recognized algorithms to reinterpret the same load data—storing fatigue data within the sensor, which is subsequently analyzed and presented in user-friendly fashion via the Cyclops App.
Fatigue builds up over time through load cycles, with every structure having a specific load cycle threshold it can endure. During installation, the rigging’s breaking load (provided by the manufacturer) is entered into the app, customizing the system for the rig.
When using the app, if there is a noticeable gap between the cycles and the curve, users can sail with confidence, assured that their rigging is within safe limits.
A New Chapter in Safety, Service, and Maintenance
Currently, yacht owners mitigate fatigue through maintenance schedules based on rigging age and usage. This approach has significant drawbacks—disregarding variations in sailing habits, weather conditions, vessel types, and fluctuating payloads. Riggers might utilize methods like x-ray to assess rig health, which, while offering a snapshot, is both expensive and not readily available for the average sailor. The Fatigue Monitoring System replaces these approaches with unprecedented accuracy, practicality, and affordability, based on real-time usage data, accessible to owners at any time.
Much like a vehicle service indicator, the System enables sailors to take proactive, data-informed actions to guarantee safety and peace of mind. Moreover, monitoring rig health extends equipment longevity and saves owners both time and money. With a service schedule optimized based on actual usage rather than arbitrary factors like age or mileage, owners sidestep unnecessary maintenance, repairs, and premature replacements.
For its intelligent implementation and potential to transform the industry, Cyclops Marine’s Fatigue Monitoring System has received a nomination for the prestigious DAME Design Award. The system will be showcased alongside other nominees in Hall 13 (Elicium) at METSTRADE 2024.
If attending METSTRADE, visit the Cyclops exhibit (Hall 3, Stand 03.211) for more information. Alternatively, contact one of the experts directly.