Independent guide: Record-keeping requirements for commercial vessels are set by AMSA and your safety management system. This page is aimed at private owners.
Quick answer
Keep every rigging invoice, every inspection report and dated photos of the rig, and log each check, adjustment and incident. The single most valuable document is the invoice for the last standing-rig replacement. Together these prove rig age and condition when an insurer, surveyor or buyer asks, and they help a rigger diagnose problems faster.
What to keep
| Record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Re-rig invoice | Proves rig age, materials and scope |
| Inspection reports | Show condition over time and professional oversight |
| Dated photos of fittings | Let you compare change, not just state |
| Tuning numbers | Turnbuckle positions and tension readings to recover the set-up |
| Incident notes | Groundings, knockdowns and storm events that may affect the rig |
| Furler and running-rigging work | Service dates and parts |
| Crane and haul-out dates | Tie inspections to access opportunities |
A simple rigging log
For each entry, record the date, who did the work, what was inspected or replaced, what was found, and any follow-up. A spreadsheet or the back pages of the ship's log both work. The annual inspection checklist can be printed and filed each season.
Who asks for records
- Insurers, particularly for older rigs or offshore cover — see rigging and insurance
- Surveyors during pre-purchase or insurance surveys
- Buyers — see how to prove rigging age when selling
- Race safety auditors, for items such as lifelines
- Riggers, who quote more accurately with history
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important rigging record to keep?
The invoice from the last standing-rigging replacement, showing the date, the stays replaced, wire material and diameter, and terminal types. It is the document insurers, surveyors and buyers ask for first, and it cannot be recreated later.
What if I have no records of my rig's age?
Treat the rig's age as unknown. Many insurers and surveyors will too. Options are a professional inspection with a written report, or a re-rig that starts a documented history. Swage markings and fitting styles can sometimes narrow the age, but rarely prove it.