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Air Chamber Flotation

DEFINITION
Rhodes are constructed with sealed seats as air chambers to provide flotation for safety. Sail Chicago has improved the intended flotation benefits by adding Styrofoam for positive flotation, preventing the boat from sinking). Improperly maintained flotation materials in an unsealed chamber can cause a boat to sink if it capsizes and was totally swapped with water.

Annually this foam must be inspected. Older foam, when exposed to water, can become heavy like a wet sponge, in which case it must be replaced. Newer foam prevents water from penetrating even when exposed to water. Foam in either case must be confirmed to be dry and completely fill the air chamber space under the seats.

Hatch access ports must be confirmed solid and seat drain plugs must be tight and operational. Seat access-port hatches, the size of which is specified by Hardware Team, must be large enough to use to get old foam out and new foam in, but not too big to weaken the seat integrity.

ALERT/WHY

• Boat safety flotation is critically dependent upon seat component, access ports and air chamber drain plugs always being in place to prevent water from entering the air chamber space.
• Currently our boats only have lower bow compartments filled with Styrofoam for positive flotation: the forward lower bulkheads should have up to 3 round access ports installed so that the original form can be inspected and possibility replaced
  

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Prior Experience; demonstrated prior competency to drill and cut into seats to install access ports properly.

KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE

Tom Wagner
Jim Condon
Rich Covello
Frances McNamara

LIBRARY

(links to additional material)

CO-ORDINATION WITH OTHER TEAMS

• Hardware sets standards (specification of seat port hatch size) and maintains parts list

TOOLS

Power drill, key hole saw, small jig saw, moto-tool cutter or similar to cut holes for installing access ports

MATERIALS

EXPENDABLES

Draft 1 - 10/26/02