Yacht

Does leaked crude oil from tankers corrode the GFK-hulls of yachts?
Andrej Mischerikow, by E-mail

The material GFK which is used to build yachts is considered to be very hard-wearing. "However, no materials last forever. With proper care, that means regular polishing, GFK-surfaces protect against damage and ageing" Jan Meyer from the yacht shipyard in Bremen explains. However a reaction to crude oil or similar substances cannot be completely ruled out. "It depends above all on the period of time involved. The oil would have to have an effect on the surface for at least weeks or months" points out Prof. Dr. Thiemann from the University of Bremen. If the hull of the boat has already been damaged by osmosis, moisture and oil can get into the synthetic material. If it remains there for a longer period of time, then it can possibly cause damage. Prof. Oudot from the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris considers its aggressiveness to be similar to that of diesel with which boats often come into contact whilst filling up with fuel. Ultimately, though the oil from the tanker "Prestige" gives cause for concern ecologically, real damage to the hulls of yachts is however most unlikely.

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