Standing Rigging and Corrosion

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jun 6, 2004
173
Catalina 38 San Francisco Bay
There is a HUGE construction project less than 1000 ft upwind (prevailing and regularly 15 to 25 mph) from our marina. The site consists of 8 acres that are being excavated down to 30ft. They are clearing an old iron and steel mill slag pond to erect a building. Every downwind surface is covered with fine dust from this project. We are working with the city and builder to mitigate the problem. We recently put a magnet to the dust and it has a high concentration of ferrous material. This stuff is like talc, it is so fine. It is getting into everything, halyards, sheets, shieves, coverings, blocks, the rigging wire, even deck surfaces are showing rust spots..... My concern and question is: Will the ferrous dust pentrating the rigging wire cause or accellerate corrosion of the stainless rigging?
 
K

KennyH

My guess is yest

My guess is yes from what I have seen over the years. Once you get rust started on a surface it is hard to stop. Even stainless I have seen rust when it gets old or has been exposed to salt water for quite awhile. I think you have quite a problem and I am no expert. I would get an expert opinion from a metallurgist I believe they are called.
 

NYSail

.
Jan 6, 2006
3,178
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Least of the problems

What about your lungs? If this much metal dust is in the air, I am sure this will end up in your lungs. Call the EPA and tell them your concerns because this is obviously a health issue as well as a boat issue my opinion of course
 
Status
Not open for further replies.