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Lowering the mast for a bridge: who pays for damage to the rig?
Short answer
Much of the rig damage when lowering the mast happens during the lowering itself, not under the bridge: the mast swings sideways, spreaders and aerials break. That is normally a matter for your own hull cover; if a yard does the job, its liability comes in too.
On rivers and canals you often have to drop the mast before a fixed bridge when the air draft will not clear it. Lowering the mast is done with a harbour crane, with a tabernacle and A frame on board, or simply with the crew's muscle. More goes wrong than people expect: the mast swings off to one side because the forestay is eased too fast, a spreader snaps on the mast support, the aerial, wind indicator and masthead light get crushed, shrouds kink. Who pays for the damage to the rig depends on who lowered the mast and where the damage happened.
If you lower the mast yourself, damage to your own boat is normally a matter for your hull policy, because it happens suddenly during the manoeuvre. With us, breaking and bending of masts and rigging is an accident event, covered from Basis Plus; Basis does not cover it. If a part that had weakened over years gives way, the insurer may treat it as wear and tear. Liability cover does not help here; it only pays for damage to others. If a marina or yard lowers the mast for a fee, it answers for its staff's mistakes, often within its terms of business. If someone motors into a bridge with the mast still up because the clearance was misjudged, the damage to the bridge is a liability claim and the damage to the rig is again one for hull cover.
Prevention is easier than an argument. Check the bridge clearances along the route in the official guides and allow a margin for water level and aerials. Lower the mast in light wind and flat water with enough hands aboard, and rest it on solid supports fore and aft so it cannot wander sideways in a wash. Pad the spreaders and fittings, take off anything fragile beforehand and photograph the rig before you start. If something does break, report it before the repair and keep the damaged parts.
Worth remembering
Your own rig
damage while lowering, a matter for hull cover
Someone else's bridge
damage to others, a matter for liability cover
Photos before you start and a margin on the clearance prevent most disputes.
Questions
What owners ask us about this
Does liability insurance pay if my mast breaks while I lower it?
No. Liability cover pays for damage you cause to others. Damage to your own mast and rig is a matter for hull cover, with us from Basis Plus.
Who is liable if the marina lowers the mast with its crane?
If the yard does the job for a fee it answers for its staff's mistakes, often within its terms of business. Report the damage on the spot and have it recorded in writing.
What if I hit a bridge with the mast still up?
Damage to the bridge is a liability matter, damage to your own rig one for hull cover. Check the clearance beforehand and allow a margin.
Related
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