Rig failure.
The rig either fails slowly — a parted shroud, a cracked spreader, time to react — or it comes down all at once. Two procedures, depending on which one you have.
Depower. Brief. Diagnose.
Whether the rig is failing or already down, the first move is the same: stop loading it. Depower, alert the crew, find out what's broken before you start cutting.
- 1
Depower the sails.
Release sheets. Sail to luff. Reduce load before anything fails further.
- 2
Alert crew to the danger of mast collapse.
Everyone clear of the mast and rigging. PFDs on. Anyone below stays below.
- 3
Identify what failed.
Headstay? Backstay? Shroud? Spreader? The mast? The diagnosis determines the procedure.
- 4
Stop the boat or slow her.
Engine to neutral or low cruise. Less motion = easier diagnosis and safer crew.
Is the rig still up, or already down?
Which scenario are you in? The procedure splits two ways.
Rig at risk.
The rig is failing but still standing. You have time — use it carefully.
Go to steps ↓Mast down.
It's already on deck or in the water. Stop the damage, then deal with it.
Go to steps ↓Depower the sails.
First and most urgent. Eases the load on every wire.
Come about to take load off the failing side.
If the broken wire is the windward shroud, tack to put it leeward. Same with stays — load the good side.
Keep sheets loose.
No pinning load on a failing rig. Sails luffing is fine while you assess and rig backup.
If the problem is with the headstay:
Bear off downwind. A jib halyard secured forward to the bow cleat provides a temporary headstay. Reduce headsail load.
If shroud or spreader failure:
Tack so the failing rigging is leeward and unloaded. Rig a halyard or spare line as a temporary shroud to the toerail or chainplate.
If the problem is with the backstay:
Head up into the wind to reduce forward mast bend. Mainsheet eased, topping lift tight. The mainsail acts as a temporary backstay if the luff is kept tight.
If the rig comes down anyway:
Switch to Scenario 2 — Mast down, below.
Stop the boat.
Engine to neutral. Whatever's left of the sails, release. Everything stops while you assess.
Verify that no crew is injured or in the water.
Account for everyone before touching the rig. A mast coming down can take a person with it. Run Man Overboard or Medical in parallel if needed.
↗08Man Overboard↗07Medical EmergencyInstruct everyone to wear PFDs.
Mast and rigging in the water are sharp, heavy, and unpredictable. PFDs on, everyone clipped in.
Survey for damage and stabilize the downed mast / stump.
What broke? Is the mast threatening to hole the hull? Lash it down or push it overboard before it does damage.
Free the stays — remove clevis pins, or cut stays.
Use bolt cutters on shrouds and stays if needed; hydraulic cutters for the toughest. Free the rig from the boat before you can deal with it.
Salvage anything usable for repairs, jury rigging, or an antenna.
Boom, spinnaker pole, broken mast sections — all potentially useful. Cut wisely; you may want to rebuild.
Dump the rest of the downed rig overboard.
Once you've salvaged, get the wreckage off the boat. Reduces weight, reduces hazard.
Plug any hull damage.
A falling mast can hole the deck or hull. Soft-wood plugs, sealant, plywood — patch before you keep going.
Improvise an emergency aerial for the VHF.
Salvage a wire from the rigging, run it up the boom or any vertical you can manage. Without an antenna, your radio has miles of range, not tens.
Verify no lines or wires foul the propeller before starting the engine.
Standard rule, bigger deal after a rig failure — fallen lines like to wrap. Slow rev first to confirm clear.
If you can't motor and conditions are deteriorating:
Transmit Mayday. Dismasted under deteriorating weather is a Coast Guard situation. Don't delay.
↗14Emergency CommunicationsOnce stabilized and motoring:
Plan to the nearest port with rigging facilities. Reduced speed, lookout for floating debris (some of your rig may still be tied to you underwater). Document what failed — pictures, measurements — for insurance and the yard.
If the boat is taking on water or the engine won't start:
Gear for this moment.
The equipment we'd want aboard if this alarm went off right now. Each piece earns its place against a specific step above.
Cutting standing rigging by hand in a seaway is brutal. Proper cable cutters free the rig from the boat fast, before it holes the hull.
View gearA high-strength line rigs a temporary stay or shroud to hold the mast up long enough to get to shelter.
View gearWith the masthead antenna in the water, an emergency aerial restores the range your distress call needs.
View gearSeaWise may earn a small commission on these links — it helps keep the procedures free. We only list gear we'd carry ourselves.
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