Time: 16:32 GMT+1
Pos: Scotland
This is only my third time onboard ISBJØRN and I am very much still learning all her secrets.
ISBJØRN’s crew had left, so Jon Amtrup and I are deep into removing items from the bottom of the bilge, the back of cupboards, finding items that have US dollar tags on them although she hasn’t been across the pond in years, discussing ideas, planning, getting excited about the possibilities for this upcoming refit…
Erik, the Skipper currently onboard FALKEN, had just sailed into Madeira and was trying to anchor but couldn’t find the windlass breaker. My mind went blank… Countless hours I have spent in every part of FALKEN, there are no secrets between us, but in that instance I couldn’t access that part of my brain. I couldn’t mentally jump ship quick enough. However, that’s why we have systems in place.
Let's look at the 5 ways we do maintenance at 59 North:
1. Collaboration
We are user-experience focused. Everyone has a voice.
Recent crew on ISBJORN mentioned that they had some concerns that they might lose an important personal item down the edge of the bunk in the forward cabin. Those who have been onboard may have had similar feelings. This couldn’t be ignored, so we are in the process of designing a simple fabric system to protect any items from being lost to the bilge Gods.
By fostering open communication, involving the crew in decision-making, and utilizing collective expertise, you can transform maintenance into a team effort.
2. Negative hypothesis
Rather than searching for affirmatives, consider proving the negatives. This mindset shift can lead to proactive problem identification and preventive measures.
FALKEN arrived in Iceland after having a tough passage and with a distinctive fuel leak of some description.
After finding many various small leaks it then became a mission to make it leak again. I couldn’t recreate a 15 degree heel in the harbour or thumping heavily into waves, but I could try every method of fuel transfer, filling, pumps, engine starting, etc to make it leak.
3. Open-ended questions
HOW, WHY and WHAT are great open questions to deliberately uncover issues, foster creative solutions, and guide a proactive maintenance strategy.
August recently had a worrying trip back from the Shetlands where he noticed that the rig was too loose. He reacted quickly and safely to continue the journey although in a slightly more conservative way.
When we talked through the scenario we started with questions: “what were the conditions at the time, how much sail did you have up, what was your initial reaction, what made you look up?” These questions created a dialogue so that I could have a clear understanding of what had happened and why. But it also helped August remember and for us to remove unnecessary information.
4. Data collection
Data collection from sailboat safety inspections can be a hidden treasure trove of cost savings. By tracking the wear and tear of mechanical parts, you can predict when replacements will be needed. This proactive approach eliminates costly emergency fixes and minimizes downtime.
This is why we do rig checks, safety briefings, and observations; this is why we document with images and have discussions. We are always trying to simplify a system or process, but ultimately it needs to give us valuable data. A comment made in a skipper & mate debrief form may uncover a larger issue, or a near miss that could have been worse. Systems allow us to strive towards another level.
5. Preventative: Breaking the quality, cost and time triangle
Everyone knows that boats are expensive. We also know that you can never get something of great quality, quickly and cheap. What we can do is work as far in advance as possible. We can predict through data, guessing, and the old crystal ball that mechanical items and consumables will need to be replaced by a certain date and maybe they will only last 3 months instead of 6 months, but by completing preventative replacements we can avoid breakages or poor feedback.
None of these 5 things are independent of another. They help visualise a scenario so that we can keep sailing, whether I am sat in the mountains of Scotland, in the workshop, on the road, or in the bottom of a deep lazarette.
HOLD FAST!
// Adam Browne, 59 North bosun
