In a statement yesterday, Bavaria reiterated its suspicion that the fatal keel breakage of a 42match in the Adriatic was caused by a previous grounding. But evidence is still lacking. The keel is now to be searched for and salvaged.
With photos of keel damage in the fleet of the charter company Adriatic Challenge, to which the ill-fated yacht also belongs, the shipyard is attempting to substantiate its thesis of pre-damage.
It also attached a nautical chart to its press release, which is said to be from on board the wrecked 42match and proves that the crew had navigated close to some shoals in the area south of the Adriatic island of Murter.
Of course, all this is only circumstantial evidence in favour of the scenario advocated by Bavaria, according to which the keel was torn off due to a previous grounding or collision (see the detailed analysis in the current issue of YACHT 13/05).
An examination of the keel could provide the proof. The search is apparently now on for it - six weeks after the accident that led to the drowning of a sailor.
In the meantime, the shipyard's certifier (IMCI) has examined and approved the reinforcement measures that are now to be carried out on all of the approximately 150 38match and 42match vessels built to date. Pantaenius, with whom the ill-fated ship was insured, has also given the green light after inspecting the laminate plans and will maintain the insurance cover for the types in question after retrofitting.
The following is the latest press release from Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH on the keel loss of a 42match in the Adriatic:
"The investigation into the cause of the damage that led to the tragic accident involving a Bavaria 42match sailing yacht in Croatia is still ongoing. The ship involved in the accident and the remaining ships in the charter fleet are currently being examined by another expert and several inspectors from the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI).
The investigation report of the Croatian authorities is not yet available to Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH. From the nautical chart of the shipwrecked vessel (enlarged view) However, it is clear from the sea chart and the navigation provided there that the ship had to pass several shoals before the accident, most recently the shoal near Kukuljari, which was located shortly before the scene of the accident and below the surface of the water when there was a wave. A scan of the nautical chart with the traced pencil lines is enclosed with this information.
Clear photos of all keels from the entire Adriatic Challange fleet are also available. Accordingly, 8 out of 9 Bavaria 42match sailing yachts participating in the regatta in Vodice show clear signs of grounding. Of the other 10 vessels from this fleet in Biograd, 6 also show clear signs of previous grounding, which certainly cannot be interpreted as antifouling abrasion. Another ship with a net in the propeller is definitely an indication that the ships were already in service and that the regatta in question could not have been the first time they were used. This has since been confirmed to us in writing by another party; the boats had also previously been used for a regatta in the shallow waters off Biograd.
Since there is also evidence of damage to keels and in the ships in Biograd, the question arises as to how many ships in this fleet were already sent to the regatta with such damage. If the ships had been inspected beforehand, at least the ships remaining in Biograd would have shown the "previous damage" now proclaimed and the ships would have had to be stopped. Enclosed you will find one of the keel photos of one of the ships in Biograd, as well as the controversial net in the propeller of another ship. This certainly does not contribute to the loss of the keel, but it shows the state of maintenance of the ships that were "ready to leave" for charter in Biograd at the time of the accident.
Since the Croatian authorities and the owner have not yet searched for the lost keel, Bavaria will search for and salvage the keel in consultation with the owner of the ill-fated vessel.
Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH has received confirmation from the certifier of the Bavaria 42match series that the series-produced vessels of this yacht type have been adequately constructed within the required guidelines. The certifier sees no reason to withdraw the granted type certification.
The technical plans for the promised and preventive upgrade measures to increase the safety reserves have been reviewed and approved for implementation by the responsible certifier "IMCI" and the insurance company "PANTENIUS". These plans have also been sent to the Croatian registration authority for inspection and approval.
The retrofitting measures for the affected sailing yachts of this type started immediately afterwards and are already underway for most of the affected ships, the first retrofits have been completed."
Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH
07.06.2005
