The Crew Report

Yacht cleaning specialists
Carpets
Upholstery
Curtains
Mattresses
Fire Retardent - MCA approved
Le Beau Rivage 9 Avenue d’Ostende
MC 98000 Monaco
T +377 93 50 58 16
F +377 93 50 58 17
M +33 607 34 70 64
E info@internettmonaco.com
W www.internettmonaco.com
corrosion
concerns
Chris Bell from Cathelco provides some essential
information in this regular column on corrosion
Q My zinc anodes wear away quicker at the aft of my
yacht than at the fore, do I have a corrosion issue?
A Remembering the four key elements for corrosion to occur – 1. An
anode and a cathode; 2. Potential difference between the anode and
cathode; 3. Metallic connection between the anode and cathode;
4. Anode and cathode must be placed in a conductive electrolyte;
seawater. It is common that there is more galvanic activity in the
aft of the vessel due to the different metals reacting against each
other (rudders, propellers, stabilisers, hull plates), thus the anodes
at the aft have to work harder, and sacrifice themselves, to protect
the various metals, than at the fore where the material is typically
steel or aluminium with little else to react with.
This varying requirement for cathodic protection should be taken
into account with the design of the yacht to provide sufficient
protection for the period between dry dockings. As the coatings
wear or degrade then this problem is made worse and corrosion
will happen at an enhanced rate. This is compounded by the fact
that zinc anodes work at their optimum when new, but once they
start to sacrifice and degrade their effectiveness is reduced thus
providing less and less protection until they finally wear out.
A problem that can prematurely wear zinc anodes is when you are
moored up in a marina and an electrical connection is made from
the boat to the jetty. This can occur when hooking up to shore
supply. If the jetty has steel piles, for example, then your anodes
will not only be protecting your boat but will also protect the jetty.
The problem with zinc anodes is that you do not have any warning
that this is happening until you pull the yacht out of the water and
find the anodes are worn at best, or you have corrosion damage at
worst.
There are two ways of resolving this:
1. To conduct a half cell plot, measuring electrical potential
around the hull, this is measured against a known reference point,
and identifies where there are potential corrosion hot spots.
2. To install an Impressed Current Cathodic Protection System.
This system constantly regulates and measures the correct
amount of protection to ensure corrosion is nullified. If the system
is “under protecting” the yacht (for example if the jetty is
connected to the yacht and draining current, the system will go
into alarm mode and immediately make you aware that you have
an issue. This can be seen as a sharp increase in current.
www.cathelco.com
If you have any corrosion queries, please contact info@yotcru.com
Image by Brooke Shaw/Superyachtart.com
With its protected areas and natural parks registered on UNESCO’s world heritage list,
International Marine Reserve, and Regional Nature Reserve stretching from Calvi to Porto-
Vecchio, Corsica remains for the most part a much-protected island. Its lively culture is the
product of centuries of customs maintained by the soul of the island, and is richly expressed
in its music, crafts and culinary specialities. It is strategically located in the heart of the
Mediterranean, only a few hours from the Balearics, the French Riviera, Naples, Sicily,
Malta, Greece and Sardinia. The island boasts a mix of cultural attractions, outdoor sports in
stunning landscapes, regional fine food, wines and specialities. There are many ways to
discover Corsica, with innumerable diving spots, canyoning, hiking, jet-ski tours, cultural
visits to the old villages and helicopter tours to name a few will take your breath away.
porto-vecchio
Porto-Vecchio is an interesting protected port.
Only yachts under 48 metres can enter the
marina – larger yachts can use the
anchorage or commercial dock. This is a beautiful
area with some of the most stunning beaches in
Corsica: PALOMBAGGIA and SANTA-GIULIA,
both have good beach clubs.
marina PORT DE PLAISANCE DE PORTO-
VECCHIO Tel: +33 4 95 70 17 93
culinary delights CASA DEL MAR
Tel: +33 4 95 72 34 34 This is a luxury restaurant with
very high quality food and is said to be one of the best
restaurants in south Corsica, with a modern setting.
CALA ROSSA Tel: +33 4 95 71 61 51 This restaurant
has a wild and elegant setting, and is also thought to
be one of the best restaurants in the south. LE
BELVÉDÈRE Tel: +33 4 95 70 54 13 French and
Mediterranean gastronomique cuisine overlooking the
gulf of Porto-Vecchio. LE FIGUIER is a very nice
pizzeria, 15 minutes drive from Porto-Vecchio marina.
L’AUBERGINE is a Moroccan restaurant overlooking
the bay of Porto-Vecchio. A typical Corsican restaurant
in the old town is L’ORRIU.
club LA VIA NOTTE – a five minute drive from the
marina and Europe’s biggest open-air disco.
crew passportcoRsica
corsica yacht services
propriano, golf di
valinco, campomoro
The bay of Valinco is one of the most beautiful bays
in Corsica, inside it is the little port of Propriano,
where you will find restaurant LE LIDO 42 avenue
Napoleon III, Propriano Tel: +33 4 95 76 06 37 There is a
good anchorage in Campomoro, which offers protection
from the strong SW wind. Visit restaurant LES AMIS
Campomoro Tel: +33 4 95 74 23 50 Ferries coming
from/going to Marseille are useful if crew need to join the
boat in Porto-Vecchio or Bonifacio, (both of them are only
one hour from Propriano)
marina YACHT CLUB DU VALINCO
Tel: +33 4 95 76 10 40
CORSICA YACHT SERVICES 2 montée Rastello, 20169 Bonifacio Tel: +33 495 737017
anne-cecile@cys.fr provides global assistance for yachts anywhere in Corsica, from north
to south, from Calvi to Bonifacio, all around the island. With two offices, one in Bonifacio
(Head Office) and one in Calvi, it is able to cover all requests, and also has a presence in
Bastia, Saint-Florent, Ajaccio, Propriano and Porto-Vecchio. The company guarantees the
best suppliers on the island, delivering requests within the hour on the quay. The
company offers a very large range of services, including itineraries and activity
suggestions, berth reservations, provisions with the finest and highest quality products,
flower arrangements, bookings in the best restaurants, luxury taxis and cars, travel
organisation, helicopter and private jet bookings, technical assistance and medical
assistance, etc.Anne-Cecile Appietto is CYS executive manager, and takes care of the
head office located in Bonifacio. Originally from Ajaccio, Corsica, Anne-Cecile has a wide
local knowledge. Her passion for boats along with her energy have built her reputation of
dedication and efficiency, which is well known amongst captains and crew. Anne-Cecille
has kindly shared her knowledge on the island in this guide, along with images.
THE CREW REPORT 33