Keel Incidents

The number of keel incidents/failure world-wide is hard to determine accurately because of the varied nature of participation in the sport of sailing.
A World Sailing presentation in 2013 puts the number of keel failures at 72 reported incidents, with 24 fatalities since 1984. (Further Reading) This report cites the main cause of keel failure as

• 33% are welded fin failures
• 25% from grounding or collision
• 25% from hull internal structure failure

A further extension of these statistics has been compiled via Kraken Yachts (Further Reading) providing additional cases along with a touch of self-promotion around their encapsulated keels.
A further summary of specific incidents can be found on the Australian Sailing resources Major Incidents Reports (Further Reading)
Our summary of all data is in the following spreadsheet –(Further Reading)

Reporting Keel Issues

A keel incident that involves fatalities, has a newsworthy search and rescue component or is in a prominent race (ie Sydney Hobart) is likely to attract attention and be reported via the formal incident reporting options. The same keel incident where there is no loss of life, no crew rescue, and the boat is not in a profile race and we are not likely to see anything reported. Same keel failure different result. Add in cruising boats with no reporting obligations outside possibly collecting insurance and we are not learning much about keel failure through incident reporting.

Australian Sailing’s Special Regulation 2.02.5 see Further Reading outlines the types of incidents that should be reported if doing so may improve safety incorporating keel failure but not groundings. This reporting pathway takes you through to World Sailing and facilitates the setting up of a committee to investigate via World Sailing criteria World Sailing (WS) and Australian Sailing (AS) via “Incident Reports.” – WS Incident list See Further Reading

The incident system cover all forms of sailing incidents in all types of boats. The general nature of the reporting covering everything from a collision to man overboard etc doesn’t specifically put the spot- light on keel failures, or add anything to the body of knowledge around keels. The reporting pathway goes straight to WS, with no education of promotion of the process by Australian Sailing making it highly unlikely that reports would be completed unless a fatality or major rescue occurs. This system is far from adequate in properly investigating keel failure specifically and is only likely to attract profile incidents as discussed above.
There is a requirement to conduct an internal and external inspection after grounding (only in Cat 1,2,3 races) but no specific reporting system, record keeping, or compulsory follow up procedures in place. … 3.02.6 Inspection after Grounding – an appropriately qualified person shall conduct an internal and external inspection after each unintentional grounding.

Further Reading

World Sailing Statistics

“Are we facing a keel and rudder failure ‘time-bomb’?”2020. Kraken Yachts

Australian Sailing Major Incidents A.S. 2025

Summary of Incidents spreadsheet.

Maritime Incident Form NSW Maritime

Australian Sailing Special Regulation 2.02.5

World Sailing Report a safety Incident. WS latest copy on their website.

Incident Investigation Reports World Sailing WS

Major Incident Reports Australian Sailing AS

Why Do Keel Failures Happen … Yachting World. Mathew Sheahan. 2017.

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