Applying Infrared Imaging Techniques to Marine Surveying

… Identifying Moisture Intrusion in a wood cored FRP yacht.

John (JACK) N. Allinson, II BS
SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyor AMS®
Level I Certified Infrared Thermographer
J.N. Allinson Associates, Inc.

ABSTRACT
At InfraMation conferences 2003 & 2004 the role of a Marine Surveyor and the inspections of vessels
using IR were presented. For the 2005 conference Mr. Allinson describes how the FLIR Systems
ThermaCAM® E4 infrared camera was used as an effective tool in the isolation of moisture intrusion into
the BALSA wood-cored hull of a ten (10) year old Forty-Five-Foot (45’) SEARAY motor yacht. The
multidisciplinary skills of J.N. Allinson Associates, Inc. were then utilized to convert these findings into
timely and valuable information for the client.

This paper will present an IR report format for Marine Surveying and illustrate how the use of an infrared
camera set the stage for discussion and interaction with the client while solidifying the credibility and skills
of the Marine Surveyor.

Keywords: Marine Surveyor, Percussion Testing, Moisture Meter, Cored Composite, Capacitance
Measurement, Resistance Measurement, holesaw, Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP), Non Destructive
Testing (NDT), Destructive Testing (DT).

INTRODUCTION
When buying or selling a yacht, the discovery of moisture intrusion into a wood-cored vessel can
seriously raise questions regarding the structural integrity and longevity of the core. A multitude of key
players are affected by this discovery. For the buyer, seller, and their agents, concerns are: is there
structural damage now, how extensive is it, how much will repairs cost, and has this condition caused the
boat to lose actual or perceived value? Often the sales price of a yacht involves hundreds of thousands
of dollars. This usually necessitates the involvement of money lenders and insurance underwriters. Their
concerns deal with obtaining enough information to perform a risk assessment regarding the present and
future value of the yacht as well as the probability that a future insurance claim will be filed based on the
present day condition of the vessel. Such was the case when ‘MINUTE MAN II”, a 1995 45’ SEARAY
450DA went through a Prepurchase Condition and Valuation Marine Survey in early April of 2005.
Among the findings was the measurement of significantly higher moisture content in the aft starboard hull
of the vessel. This finding stalled the sale of the vessel. As a result, J.N. ALLINSON ASSOCIATES, INC.
was employed to confirm and investigate the moisture intrusion findings. Through the use of Infrared
Thermography and their multidisciplinary skills, J.N. ALLINSON ASSOCIATES, INC. was able to convert
the moisture intrusion findings into valuable information for all concerned.

SUMMARY
J.N. Allinson Associates, Inc. met with the client(s) (the seller and his agents) at the inspection site and
involved them in the inspection process. The application of Infrared Thermography was explained and
demonstrated along with the concepts of:

• a time series IR inspection method using the heating effects from the sun to warm the hull
• techniques for measuring moisture content
• microbial factors and wood core degradation
• moisture meters (types and measurement methods)

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 • percussion sounding
• FRP laminates with BALSA wood cores
• destructive testing by coring the hull with a holesaw
The mid morning environmental conditions were good for performing the Infrared Thermography
inspection. Within an elapsed on site time of four (4) hours all phases of the tests were completed and
the client(s) were now knowledgeable of the structural integrity of the BALSA wood core in this boat.
Within days the client received an electronic copy of his report from J.N. Allinson Associates, Inc. which
he forwarded to the buyer and the lender. The information in the report satisfied the concerns of the
buyer and lender and within days the loan was approved, and the sales transaction completed.

PUBLICATIONS
Allinson, II, John (JACK) N.; “Infrared Thermography in Marine Surveying” Technical Information
Exchange for Marine Professionals, Vol. 19, No. 2 pp 4 & 12.
Allinson, II, John (JACK) N., J.N. Allinson Associates, Inc.; “Applying Infrared Imaging Techniques to
Marine Surveying” InfraMation 2003 Proceedings September 2003 Volume 4, pp. 1-6
Allinson, II, John (JACK) N., J.N. Allinson Associates, Inc.; “Applying Infrared Imaging Techniques to
Marine Surveying…continued” InfraMation 2004 Proceedings, October 2004 Volume 5, pp. 83-90
Allinson, II, John (JACK) N., J.N. Allinson Associates, Inc; Practical Applications of Infrared (IR)
Thermography for Marine Surveying Presented at the 2005 SAMS®
Florida Regional Meeting

REPORT FOLLOWS:

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Hull Infrared (IR) Inspection
Of a 1995 SEARAY 450 DA

“MINUTEMAN II”
Conducted by:
John N. Allinson, II
INDEPENDENT MARINE CONSULTANT
SAMS® ACCREDITED MARINE SURVEYOR
Certified Infrared Thermographer
PREPARED FOR: InfraMation 2005
DATE: OCTOBER 2005

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 Table of Contents

I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5
Survey Purpose: .......................................................................................................................... 5
Survey Scope:.............................................................................................................................. 5
Executive Summary:.................................................................................................................... 5
Methods: ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Process: ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Appendix I: Hull Identification Number........................................................................................ 7
Appendix II Photographs............................................................................................................... 8

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I. Introduction

Survey Purpose:
This survey will be performed to confirm the presence of moisture in the BALSA coring that was
discovered with a moisture meter during a previous survey.

Survey Scope:
Acting upon the request of the boat owner, the attending surveyor did attend onboard the motor vessel
“MINUTEMAN II” on 12 April 2005. Present during the inspection were owner, selling broker, and Mr.
John (JACK) N. Allinson, II (Accredited Marine Surveyor and Certified Infrared Thermographer for J.N.
Allinson Associates, Inc.).
The scope of this survey was to use Non-Destructive Testing Techniques (NDT) to confirm whether the
BALSA wood core between the outer and inner fiberglass reinforced (FRP) skins was wet. Upon
confirmation of moisture intrusion, Destructive Testing (DT) would be used determine whether the BALSA
wood core showed signs of deterioration and loss of structural integrity.
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) was sighted on the stern of the vessel. A photograph and rubbing of
the HIN appears in Appendix I.

Executive Summary:
This IR (NDT method) survey isolated the coolest spot on the starboard side hull which corresponded
with the highest moisture content readings using the capacitance measurement feature of the
SOVERIGN moisture meter (NDT method). Percussion sounding (NDT method) suggested that this cool
spot was structurally intact. A core sample (DT method) and visual inspection of the BALSA wood
revealed that while the wood was measurably wet using the SOVEREIGN moisture meter, it had not
started to deteriorate.

Conclusion:
It is preferable for the BALSA wood coring in an FRP laminate to be dry. However, it is this surveyor’s
opinion that the BALSA wood coring in this vessel will continue to remain structurally intact until such time
that the wet wood is exposed to wood degrading fungi and other cellulose degrading microscopic
organisms under the proper environmental conditions that would support their growth. With the present
construction practices used on this vessel, the bonded outer and inner FRP laminate skins prevent these
environmental conditions from occurring.

Methods:
On the afternoon of 11 April 2005, the day prior to the IR inspection, the subject vessel was hauled from
the water and placed on wooden blocks (known as blocking) in an uncovered, open and exposed area of
the boatyard. Hauling the boat prior to the inspection was done to allow the surface of the boat hull to dry
out. Moving the boat to the uncovered, open and exposed area set up conditions where solar insolation
could be used to uniformly raise the temperature of the vessels surface.

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On the morning of 12 April 2005 the hull of the boat was inspected for moisture intrusion using:
• A FLIR Infrared Camera model E4
• A SONY Digital Video Camcorder model DCR-TRV900
• A phenolic plastic tipped hammer
• A steel measurement tape
• BOSE® QuietComfort 2® noise-canceling headphones
• 3M blue painters masking tape to delineate suspect areas
• A SOVEREIGN moisture meter Serial # 00380996
• A cordless electric drill with a 1/8” drill bit
• A 1.5 inch holesaw attachment for the cordless electric drill
• and a flat bladed screwdriver

Weather conditions on 12 April 2005 were about 10% cloud cover, with a wind of 5 knots or less out of
the East. Shortly after sunrise the ambient air temperature was approximately 78°F and by 1130 it had
risen to approximately 90°F.

Process:
“MINUTEMAN II” was blocked in an open, uncovered area so that the outside surface of starboard side of
the boat would be warmed by the morning sun (see photos). As the sun rose, both the starboard and
portside hulls of the vessel were scanned with the IR camera to look for unequal thermal patterns in the
hull above the waterline. IR scans of the hull began around 1030 and at approximately 1130 the
starboard side hull had heated sufficiently so that the IR scan identified an area on the starboard aft side
of the hull that was cooler than the surrounding hull. When checked with the capacitance side of the
SOVEREIGN moisture meter (see photos) this area displayed higher moisture meter readings than other
areas on the starboard side of the vessel. When sounded with a percussion hammer in conjunction with
wearing BOSE noise-canceling headphones (see photos) there was a very slight audible difference in this
area. However this slight audible difference did not suggest a structural decomposition of the wood
coring.
This suspect area on the exterior hull was marked using blue colored 3M painters tape. A section of the
hull was marked measuring approximately thirteen (13”) inches high by thirteen (13”) inches long (see
photos). A tape measure and reference points were used to locate the corresponding area in the boats
interior where the inner FRP skin was accessible for study. Destructive testing was performed on the
interior FRP skin to minimize noticeable damage. Three (3) small holes measuring approximately 1/8th
inch in diameter were drilled approximately ¼” deep through the inner FRP skin to just penetrate the
BALSA wood coring (see photos). These holes were visually examined and it was noted that no moisture
leaked from the compromised FRP skin. Next a check for moisture content was performed using the
resistance feature of the SOVEREIGN moisture meter (see photos). Needle sharp prongs easily
penetrated the wood with little or no resistance and the moisture meter readings were off the scale (see
photos).
The prongs were retracted from the hull and a visual examination of the holes and prongs showed no
signs of moisture or discolored fluid that would suggest that the wood core had started to degrade. Finally
a 1.5” holesaw was used to cut through the inner FRP skin into the BALSA wood core. The inner FRP
skin was cut until the saw just started to penetrate the wood core (see photos). Next a flat bladed screw
drive was inserted beneath the cut edge to try and pry the FRP skin away from the BALSA core. After a
fair amount of force, the FRP skin broke free of its bond to the BALSA wood core. Again the resistance
prongs of the SOVEREIGN moisture meter were inserted into the wood and similar off-scale readings
were observed. Next a visual examination of the surface of the exposed BALSA wood core (see photos)
revealed that it was a light tan color and showed no signs of degradation.

Finally the flat bladed screwdriver was used as a prod against the BALSA wood. The wood fiber was
intact and did not flake or crumble under considerable pressure.

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Appendix I: Hull Identification Number
I certify that the Hull Identification Number SERP2491L495 depicted in the photograph below WAS
sighted on the starboard exterior side of the transom of the MINUTEMAN II.

Digital Photograph of HIN rubbing on the starboard stern side of MINUTEMAN II

Digital Photograph of HIN on the starboard stern side of MINUTEMAN II

12 April 2005

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Appendix II Photographs

Red arrow points to the approximate location where it was confirmed that the BALSA wood coring was wet.

View of the port side hull of “MINUTE MAN II” blocked in the open at a boatyard in South Florida. Note
the clear and sunny cloudless day that provided good environmental conditions for using the sun as the
source for warming up the exterior hull.

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InfraMation 2005 Proceedings ITC 108 A 2005-06-01
 Percussion sounding the hull using a phenolic hammer and BOSE® QuietComfort 2® noise-canceling
headphones. The area to the left of the blue tape (red arrow) can be accessed from the interior of the
vessel. This is important for destructive testing as taking the core sample (see photos) from the interior
and its subsequent repair will be less noticeable than taking a core sample from the exterior.

Normal image of aft starboard side of MINUTEMAN II.
Red arrow shows the test area where the highest
moisture readings were found and the BALSA core
would be tested to see if it had started to deteriorate.
Infrared (IR) image of the aft starboard side of
MINUTEMAN II. The red arrow points to cooler area
within the blue tape delineated area. The clean
edge around the cooler area was from the blue tape.
This cooler area was indicative of moisture intrusion
which was supported by readings with a
SOVEREIGN moisture meter, percussion sounding
and coring with a 1.5” holesaw.

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 Capacitance testing the cool IR area with a SOVEREIGN moisture meter shows an elevated
SOVEREIGN moisture meter moisture reading.

Interior view of hull in the area that showed wet Size of the drill used to make the holes for the
readings on the exterior. Red arrow points to a water resistance moisture measurements with the
trail. Ledge area above the blue tape is where the SOVEREIGN moisture meter.
BALSA wood coring in the hull side stops before the
hull to deck joint area (upper portion of picture)
begins.

Holes for resistance testing with SOVEREIGN Red arrow shows SOVEREIGN moisture meter with
moisture meter. prongs inserted into holes for resistance measurement

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Resistance measurement sends SOVEREIGN
moisture reading off the scale!
After considerable effort with the flat bladed screw
driver, the 1.5” diameter FRP inner skin (coupon) was
pried away from its bond to BALSA wood coring.
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1.5” holesaw used to score the inner skin. Note the
dry white dust from drilling the fiberglass. No visible
signs of water or a discolored fluid streaming out
The interior side of the FRP coupon shows that the
resin is unaffected by the high moisture in the BALSA
wood. Bright white fiberglass fibers show that the
FRP inner skin was solidly bonded to the scrim-
backed BALSA wood core when it was pried loose.
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View of the 1. 5” core (green arrow) taken from the
interior second skin (white arrow). The BALSA wood
core beneath the inner FRP skin (see figure to the
right). The white mesh (red arrow) shows that this
BALSA wood core was scrim-backed. Beneath the
scrim material the wood is still in good condition.
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Example of the interior side of a hull looking at the layers of a FRP
composite using BALSA wood coring. Identified in the figure are the
gelcoat, the first skin (multiple layers of FRP), a section of BALSA
wood core (made up of individual blocks of wood set on end grain)
and a second skin (multiple layers of FRP). Missing in the figure
(red arrow) is a flexible mesh (known as a scrim) that holds the
individual blocks of BALSA wood together. In the photograph on the
left you see the second skin which has been colored gray, while the
exterior gelcoat (photos on pages 11 & 12) has been colored white.
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