fitting out yacht

Yacht fitting out

With the same high level of focus and energy, we work with all our clients to ensure an on-time, professional outcome from the very first phase of the CAD shop drawings to the launch of a turnkey yacht project complete with soft goods, linens, china and crystal.

At Genesis Yachts, we employ teams of skilled Italian and American craftsman and highly experienced managers for our yacht fitting-out projects. Our capabilities include custom cabinetry, stonework, upholstery, leather craft, soft goods and much more.

Constant innovation and adaption to the sophisticated and ever-evolving demand of the yachting marketplace have been the secret to our success. Thanks to our innovative systems, Genesis Yachts can offer more efficiency and functionality than our competitors.

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Spring Fitting Out Checklist for Your Boat

• By Green Brett
• Updated: April 5, 2018

As you prepare to go about your rites of spring, think about two of the most basic tenets of safe and enjoyable sailing: keeping the water out and making sure the vessel ­functions properly. In the crush of fitting out at the start of the season or before an extended voyage, there are numerous details that go along with adhering to these two ­principles. But carefully looking over your pre-launch checklist and preparing things like through-hulls and steering, and giving the engine a thorough going-over, can go a long way toward ­hassle-free enjoyment afloat.

While it’s easier to check the following items with the boat still on the hard, you should be able to inspect and service critical systems even if you’re a full-time liveaboard and the boat’s in the water. Here then, is the fitting out to-do list I use on a ­periodic basis.

Through-hulls should actuate smoothly. The older cone-shaped valves can be easily disassembled and greased, while ball valves respond well to some grease applied from the outside while they are closed (be sure to work them until they turn smoothly). If the boat’s out of the water, be sure to close any nonessential through-hulls before launching. We usually launch with just the engine’s intake open.

Every hose connection below the waterline should have two hose clamps in good condition, and any hoses should be free of cracking and inspected for weak spots or chafe. Also, be sure that an emergency plug is either tethered to the hose or in a very obvious and quickly accessible location.

Bilge pumps ought to test normally in both automatic and manually switched-on mode. Our ketch, Lyra , also has a high-water alarm, simply a float switch wired into a siren. Consider adding an alarm if your vessel doesn’t have one — ours has gone off twice in the 10 years we’ve owned the boat, saving us our engine and, in one case, a possible sinking. Manual bilge pumps should be crack-free and checked to make sure they are working properly.

Steering gear will operate smoothly if inspected and maintained properly. In the event that the boat’s out of the water, hold the trailing edge of the rudder firmly and throw your weight back and forth on it. There should be little to no play or vibration in the rudder shaft, tube or shoe at the base of the skeg (if your boat has one). Look for any stress cracking around the rudderstock, both inside the boat and on the rudder.

Cable steering should have no wear on the chain or sprocket. Tension should be not quite tight enough to thrum if you tap the wire. Any burrs can be found by running a paper towel along the cable — look for any bits of paper that are left behind. If there is any metal dust below the chain sprocket or any sheaves, it indicates that abnormal wear is occurring, and there may be an alignment or bearing issue. Wiping a light coat of motor oil on the chain and cable will complete the inspection.

Auxiliary power is, in many cases, a modern cornerstone of safe and enjoyable sailing. While many of us prefer to think of ourselves as intrepid sailors battling the elements and braving the salty brine in the grand tradition of Joshua Slocum, the sad fact is that most of us tend to rely on the trusty iron genny rather more than not as we battle tide, weather or simply stay an extra couple of hours at anchor before moving on. It behooves us to ensure that the engine is in tip-top working order.

One of the most important tools at your disposal is a comprehensive maintenance log. Update it frequently and as thoroughly as possible. This will provide a detailed history of the work you’ve done but should also include contact information for parts sources and mechanics, and commonly used part numbers for quick troubleshooting and maintenance later.

Hopefully, your engine oil and fuel ­filters were changed in the fall. With the motor still cold, the motor oil, transmission oil and coolant should be at the manufacturer’s recommended levels, and any clear bowl, such as that found in the fuel filter, should be clean. Place fresh white oil-absorption pads under the engine to show any drips that occur both before and after running the engine. Each fluid in the engine has a distinct color, scent and feel — be familiar with each as it comes new from the container.Engine oil will typically discolor within a few hours of run time, but should never smell like soot or fuel. If there is any cause for concern — or just for peace of mind — an inexpensive way to glean an amazing amount of information about the health of the engine is to send an oil sample to a lab. There are a number of kits and companies, such as Blackstone Labs, that will analyze the engine’s lubricants for about $30 per test. They will check for unwelcome things like water, antifreeze, carbon and fuel in the oil. The lab will want at least 20 hours on the fluid change for accurate analysis.It is time to change the coolant if there is discoloration or you find sediment in the reservoir. Always use the recommended coolant type for your engine; mixing different coolants can cause major problems associated with precipitates or acid.Before heading out for the season’s shakedown run, make sure the intake through-hull is open and the strainer is clean.

While it’s fine to change the impeller on the manufacturer’s recommended schedule, consider removing the water-pump cover and checking for any wear, cracking or missing paddles. Also look for any sign of salt trails or dripping seals, which can indicate a problem. I recently had a virtually new impeller burn up when it lost its prime due to a rushed cleaning of the gasket surfaces. There was a clear salt trail down the face of the water-pump cover. If the motor has a zinc , be sure it’s been replaced.

When I first start the engine after a prolonged period, I like to warm it gently while still at the dock. I’m careful to listen for any unusual noises — tapping valves, squeals, clunks when shifting, etc. Are there fluid drips or seeps on or under the motor? Are the batteries charging?

Also check for normal water flow out the exhaust , and watch for smoke or a sheen on the water.

This is also a good time to check your stuffing box to make sure that it’s functioning properly. There should be about a drip per second on the older-style packing boxes and none at all on the dripless variety. The dripless glands should never be hot to the touch (Take the motor out of gear to check this!), and the ­accordion-style cover should have no cracking. Hose clamps mating either type of stuffing box to the shaft log should be robust and in perfect condition, and the shaft should spin with little or no vibration.

I prefer to run up the engine in steps to full throttle once underway, checking everything each time I increase rotations per minute. Diesel motors need to be run hard from time to time to clean out soot deposits. Doing so will help keep your injectors and turbo in top condition. Also, a few minutes of hard running early on will ensure peace of mind when you need to open it up to make port on an outgoing tide on a windy day. If all is well, cool the power plant down and check all the fluids again before its next use.

A few other items that are often overlooked merit some attention before loading the family aboard and merrily pointing the bow toward the next adventure.

Freshwater systems in cold climates will have antifreeze in the lines and often in the tanks. The quickest way to clean them out and prepare them for use is to add just a few gallons of fresh water at a time while running all of the water-using appliances. Run the tank dry and repeat until water runs clear, and smells and tastes clean.

While the hose is out, spray down ­traditionally leaky areas to locate any new drips. The mast boot, portlights and anything that is through-bolted (particularly over bunk areas!) are all good bets.

Check anchor chain and line for overall health. Are all the shackles moused or zip-tied? Is the rode’s bitter end attached to the boat with a piece of line that will hold the boat but can be cut?

Treat canvas . Sunbrella recommends (we do too) 303 Fabric Guard. This is best done with the canvas laid out on the dock or grass, but can be done in place. Annual treatments will waterproof and protect the fabric, often extending its life by years.

Green Brett spends his sailing season as a charter captain aboard the family’s Reliance 44 ketch Lyra in Newport, Rhode Island.

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A Manual of Fit-Out for Yachts & Launches

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Description

Having built the hull, deck and superstructure, you are now ready to think about fitting your boat out. This manual helps you plan for this next and final stage by first, taking a look at the ergonomics (correct seat and table heights etc) of the interior accommodation - to make your boat comfortable. this is followed by details on how to install inboard engines or outboard wells, make inboard and outboard rudders and fit water systems - water ballast, fresh water, bilge plumbing, sewage etc. Gas, cabin ventilation, electric systems are looked at next, along with electrolysis and lightning protection.

Finally, the manual finishes with chapters on making wood masts and spars, fitting deck gear and rigging and the sort of ground tackle you may want to carry.

Sample Pages

Chapter 1 Interior Fit-Out 1.1 The Ergonomics of the Interior Space 1.2 Typical Fit-Out Joinery

Chapter 2 Machinery Installation 2.1 Inboard Engine Installation 2.1.1 The Line of the Shaft 2.1.2 The Traditional Way of Forming the Shaft Line 2.1.3 The Modern Way of Forming the Shaft Line 2.2 Outboard Wells 2.3 Fuel Tanks for Inboard Engines

Chapter 3 Keels 3.1 General 3.2 The Deadwood/Wood Keel 3.3 Ballast Keel 3.4 Internal Ballast 3.5 Centreplates 3.6 Bilge Keels

Chapter 4 Rudders 4.1 General Discussion 4.2 Outboard (Transom) Hung Rudders 4.3 Inboard Hung Rudders 4.4 Rudder Fittings 4.4.1 For External (Outboard) Rudders 4.4.2 For Inboard Rudders

Chapter 5 Water Ballast Tanks 5.1 General Discussion 5.2 Tank Construction & Fit-Out

Chapter 6 Water Systems 6.1 General Discussion 6.2 The Fresh water System 6.3 the WC/Sewage System 6.4 The Bilge Pumping System 6.5 Cockpit Drains

Chapter 7 The Gas System & Cabin Ventilation 7.1 General requirements 7.2 Gas Bottle (Cylinder) Stowage 7.3 Pipework and Connections 7.4 Cabin Ventilation

Chapter 8 Simple Electrical Systems 8.1 General Notes 8.2 Electrical Circuits 8.2.1 Cable Sizes 8.2.2 Fuses 8.3 Overall Electrical System

Chapter 9 Electrolysis 9.1 General Notes 9.2 Current Leakage 9.3 Sacrificial Anodes

Chapter 10 Lightning Protection

Chapter 11 Masts & Spars 11.1 General Notes 11.2 Materials for Wood Masts and Spars 11.3 Solid Masts and Spars 11.4 Hollow Masts and Spars 11.4.1 Round Section Hollow Masts and Spars 11.4.2 Rectangular Section Hollow masts and Spars

Chapter 12 Fitting the Deck gear for Rigging etc 12.1 General Notes 12.2 Chain Plates 12.3 Deck Cleats 12.4 Deck Winches 12.5 Positioning Jib Fairleads 12.5.1 How the Designer May Position the Foresail Sheet Fairleads 12.5.2 Correcting a Badly Placed Foresail Fairlead 12.5.3 A Note on Correcting the Balance of a Sail Boat

Chapter 13 Appendices & References 13.1 Glossary of Terms 13.2 Expanding a Curved Transom 13.3 Further Deck Gear 13.3.1 Boom Gallows 13.3.2 Mainsheet Horse 13.3.3 Raising the Coachhouse Top 13.4 Ground Tackle 13.5 Useful References for Further Reading

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Spring spruce-up

Whether your boat has enjoyed a winter off or it’s time to take on some annual chores, our guide to fitting out will make sure your boat is ready for a great year of sailing.

You’ve probably heard this advice before, but make this the year to actually follow it. Impellers are inexpensive and easy to change as long as they are intact. But it gets messy when they disintegrate and you’re left fishing chunks out of the engine’s heat exchanger. Access the impeller through a plate in the engine’s raw-water pump. Remove the O-ring and pull out the impeller, taking note of which direction it faces. Put in the new impeller and check the O-ring to make sure it is still malleable, replacing it if necessary. Then close the pump up and check this simple step off your list.

Next: Vanquish poor varnish

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Outfitting Your Sailboat for Safety at Sea

With the amount of gear and opinions available on what you should or should not have, fitting out a sailboat for blue water has never been more daunting. Couple that with the highly personal nature of the seamanship and safety decisions that need to be made, and getting a boat ready for offshore work can seem like a major obstacle to attaining the cruising dream. But it doesn’t have to be.

When cruising sailors talk about fitting out their boats for adventures on the high seas, the focus usually seems to be on big ticket items or creature comforts: a new dinghy and outboard, rigging, refrigeration, self-steering, wind and solar, etc. But there are a handful of safety considerations to take into account when preparing your boat and crew for the rigors of ocean sailing.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and U.S. Sailing have been leaders in the safety at sea movement for many years, and as such, have developed a set of safety recommendations for what offshore quality yachts and their crews should have aboard when heading out over the horizon. Many of their recommendations are required for entry in offshore racing events, but cruising sailors can easily look at them as a helpful set of parameters to follow when outfitting for their own coastal or offshore passages. In the end, how you choose to outfit your yacht is entirely up to you. The following is meant as a helpful starting point when turning a weather eye towards fitting out for safety.

WHO’S IN CHARGE? ISAF begins their Offshore Special Regulations with a call to action for the person in charge of the vessel: “The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the person in charge who must do his best to ensure that the yacht is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy and manned by an experienced crew who have undergone appropriate training and are physically fit to face bad weather. He must be satisfied as to the soundness of hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. He must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained and stowed and that the crew knows where it is kept and how it is to be used. He shall also nominate a person to take over the responsibilities of the Person in Charge in the event of his incapacitation.”

This statement speaks volumes about how a sailboat and crew should be prepared before heading offshore, and based on the amount of people, including couples, who are taking sailing and safety courses and seminars these days, they are on to something.

GEAR FOR THE BOAT Choosing an offshore quality boat is the start of safely crossing large bodies of water and there are plenty of resources and opinions floating around to help with that decision. Deciding on a boat is highly personal, though, so we’ll assume you’ve done the best in choosing the boat that is right for your cruising plans.

Moving to dedicated safety equipment, having a quality life raft that is up to date on certification and designated for the amount of crew you have aboard is critical. With that, you should also have a properly supplied grab bag (see sidebar) to take with you into the life raft.

For crew safety while sailing offshore it is imperative that you have properly installed and rigged padeyes and jackstays/jacklines. The purpose of clipping points other than the jacklines is to allow for most, or all, crewmembers to be clipped in at the same time. The recommendation has also been made for crewmembers to be able to clip in before they come on deck and unclip when they get down below. Also, Dyneema or Spectra type line has been approved for use as jacklines and lifelines if they are spliced using the manufacturers recommended procedures.

In the event of a crew overboard situation, it is recommended that your boat be equipped with a throwable lifebuoy that has a 50 to 75 foot line attached to it and the boat. It is also recommended to have a GPS at the helm station with a man overboard button that will plot their position when pushed, and a waterproof high-powered searchlight to look for the person at night.

Other recommended safety items include; a storm jib with high visibility cloth or tape, a radar reflector, foghorn, first aid kit and manual, fire extinguishers, fire blanket near the stove, soft wood plugs, emergency water supply, flares, drogue or sea anchor, waterproof flashlights, and a full compliment of tools and spare parts.

That amounts to a lot of gear and a lot of dollars from the bank account, but there are plenty of stories to suggest that all these things could save your life.

In addition to a PFD, harness and tether, it is recommended that each crewmember have a knife, waterproof flashlight, and appropriate foul weather gear with marine-grade reflective material on it.

NOT JUST BUYING GEAR Responsibility and safety aren’t all about buying gear. Knowledge and experience play a major role in safety at sea and there are numerous safety at sea seminars and classes available. U.S Sailing’s Safety at Sea Seminar offers a mix of lecture and hands on learning that are helpful for anyone who is planning to go offshore. Lecture topics include emergency communications, personal safety gear, man overboard, search and rescue procedures, large vessel traffic, heavy weather, breaking seas and more.

Aside from U.S. Sailing’s Safety at Sea seminars, many sailing schools, offshore rallies and races have safety classes, symposiums and seminars designed to help those who want to sail offshore gain a strong foundation of practical safety knowledge before shoving off.

It has been said many times over that safety at sea is no accident. The truth in that speaks to absolute preparedness and the need for essential safety equipment when fitting out your boat and crew before heading offshore. Having a vessel and crew that are well founded, equipped and ready to take on the rigors of ocean sailing will not only give you peace of mind before cutting the dock lines, but could save lives if the unexpected happens.

Resources: US Sailing’s : offshore  http://www.ussailing.org/education/safety-at-sea/ ISAF:  www.sailing.org Marine Trades Association of Maryland:  mtam.org/safety-at-sea.html Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race:  www.marionbermuda.com/sas/sasreg.php

RECOMMENDED GEAR FOR YOUR GRAB BAG

Spare sea anchor (larger than the one packed in the raft) Second sea anchor for the life raft (if not already packed in life raft) Waterproof handheld VHF Radio with spare batteries A signaling whistle Fishing tackle Extra sponges Plastic bags Repair kits capable of working when the raft is wet Two red parachute and Two red hand flares (SOLAS compliant) and cyalume-type chemical sticks Handheld GPS Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) Water in re-sealable containers or a hand-operated desalinator plus containers for water A watertight flashlight with spare batteries and bulb Dry suits, thermal protective aids, or survival bags Two safety tin openers First-aid kit including at least 2 tubes of sunscreen. All dressing should be capable of being effectively used in wet conditions. The kit should be clearly marked and re-sealable. High energy food Nylon string EPIRB/PLB Knife Seasickness tablets (min 6 pp recommended)

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How a yacht’s hull fittings work

• November 28, 2023

Diesels Afloat co-author Callum Smedley talks us through how a yacht's hull fittings work

It’s unfortunate but true that the hull on any vessel will have to have some holes in it. This will usually be for the wet exhaust, the stern tube, and the sea inlets and outlets. Typical sea inlets on a yacht will be for the engine raw-water cooling system and the toilet raw-water inlet.

Typical outlets and overboards, meanwhile, will be for the engine raw-water cooling (if the engine has a dry exhaust) and the toilet overboard, as well as for the bilge pump overboard, and the galley/sink overboards.

Ball-valves are most common on yachts, but screw-valves are often used for large- diameter engine exhaust skin fittings. Photo: Fernhurst

Skin fittings

Before we look at the valves needed for inlets and outlets, we should think about how the valves are actually attached to the hull. On steel and aluminium hulls, a short length of pipe with a screw thread or flange is welded onto the hull to hold the valve, usually with two or three gussets for support.

This, of course, can’t be done on a wooden or GRP hull, so a skin fitting has to be used. These can be either metal or plastic. A metal fitting MUST be used for an inlet, as it is below the waterline. Inlets are usually placed on a reinforced part of the hull.

Attaching a skin fitting is pretty straightforward: bore a hole large enough for the threaded part to pass through, clean the area up thoroughly, apply plenty of sealant to the fitting and push it through the hole, then tighten up the nut on the inside. Always make sure you use the correct type of sealant.

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Now that we have the skin fittings in place, we can look at the valves. The threaded part on the skin fitting will be a set size, normally a British Standard Pipe Thread (BSP) with typical sizes being ½” up to 3”. Because the valve will have to have the same thread on it, there is a lot to be said for buying both at the same time. A lot of valves used these days are stainless steel ball valves, which have a lever on them to open and close the valve, with a swing of 90 degrees.

Screw lift (SL) valves and screw down non-return (SDNR) valves can also be used for seacocks.

For overboards, the skin fitting is very similar. Overboards are sited above the waterline (apart from the toilet overboard) and plastic skin fittings are often used. Overboards can have a ball valve, SL, SDNR or just a non-return fitted. Ideally there is either a SDNR or a ball valve in series with a non-return fitted. The non-return is vital to prevent back filling when the vessel is heeled over or rolling.

Metal hull fittings and valves are typically bonded to an anode on the outside of the hull, usually via a length of earth wire.

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Complete guide to fitting out a narrowboat (DIY)

Written by Chloe Twist - Tuesday, April 05, 2022

Fitting out a narrowboat is no small feat. It’s usually a long process and requires knowledge in multiple areas, such as woodwork, plumbing and electrics unless you splurge on a readily lined vessel and customise the layout.  

It’s a popular option for those who have already lived aboard and developed an idea for a custom-made boat layout that better suits their needs. It’s also a great way for DIYers to save some cash.

Below you’ll find everything you need to consider before crafting the interior of your floating home, from sailaway narrowboat options to average fit-out costs.

Checklist for fitting out a narrowboat 

#1 – a sailaway narrowboat .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Philippa Allom (@thefloatingworkshop)

Firstly, you’ll want to purchase a  sailaway narrowboat , essentially a narrowboat shell.

There are a few options depending on your budget and whether you’ll be fitting out the narrowboat DIY style.

If you opt for a  basic sailaway  package, you’ll do most of the work yourself or employ contractors. The reason for this is that most low-budget models only include:

• front doors
• floorboards
• mushroom vents

Want to spend more upfront to reduce labour time and costs? In this case, we’d suggest looking at  lined sailaways , which typically have:

• fully lined cabin
• stove and chimney (optional extra)
• skin fittings (optional extra – they’re difficult to drill without the correct tools and can compromise the watertight steel of your boat)
• Recreational Craft Directive  (RCD)

While the lower price of a basic sailaway narrowboat is tempting to some, we’d only recommend this route to those who can do the added work themselves or those who have the funds to pay a team of contractors to create a truly custom interior.

Purchasing the wrong package could cost you much more in the long run, so carefully consider your options.

Related:  How to insulate your narrowboat 

#2 – Necessary knowledge and skills 

You’ll need to possess the necessary knowledge and skills to fit out your narrowboat.   

Depending on the sailaway package you go for, this can include:

• gas fitting

Our biggest tip to those who aren’t skilled in these areas would be to leave it to the professionals. Or purchase a lined sailaway package to minimise the effort of fitting out a narrowboat DIY style.

Attempting to fit out your narrowboat as an amateur is not only dangerous, but it could massively affect the price of the vessel when you come to resell it.

If you’re not a jack of all trades, you could employ help from professionals in the areas you aren’t familiar with and make substantial savings by working on others yourself.

Your result is a great quality boat at a fraction of the price of one that comes fully fitted out.  

Related:  A complete guide to painting your narrowboat 

#3 – Patience 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Narrowboat Renovation (@boat_renovation)

Fitting out a sailaway narrowboat is no task for the impatient or faint-hearted. It’s a labour of love, especially if you’re starting with a blank canvas.

While narrowboats are typically smaller than most houses, they can still take almost as long to renovate.

If you’re wondering,  how long does it take to fit out a narrowboat?¸  the answer depends on multiple factors. According to  Whilton Marina , you should set aside at least 120 working days of 8hrs+ for a 57ft boat.

Hopefully, this demonstrates how much work goes into this process and helps you consider whether it’s right!

Related:  Sailaway Narrowboat Buying Guide

Tips for fitting out a narrowboat 

#1 – do your research .

The only way to discover your dream fit-out is through research.

Plus, it’s also the best way to grow your knowledge on the topic and avoid common pitfalls. Walk into this process blindly, and you could face several setbacks or delays that are otherwise easily avoided.

It’s a good idea to read as many blogs and forums as you can to delve into the experiences of other DIYers. YouTube is also a great resource, especially since you can see these experiences in action.

Here are some useful links to get started:

• Whilton Marina
• Canal World Forum – ‘Boat Building & Maintenance
• Barges.org Forum  
• Foxes Afloat 
• The Narrowboat To The Deep North
• Narrowboat Zero Gravity

Related:  Narrowboat Interior Design Tips From An Expert

#2 – Get inspiration 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by narrowboat nomads (@narrowboat_nomads)

Following our last point, creating a bank of inspiration that you can return to throughout the process is helpful.

This allows you to create your initial plans for the project, but it keeps you inspired and reminds you of what you’re working towards.

We’d suggest creating a  Pinterest  board or a printout mood board crafted from various narrowboat fit outs you’ve seen online. This can fire your imagination on difficult days and keep you focused on your end goal.

Visiting narrowboats that others have fitted out is another invaluable source of inspiration, as there’s nothing like seeing the real deal for yourself.

Other boaters are usually happy to offer advice and recommendations on where to employ help. They are the best port of call for ideas on creative uses of space, especially since many of them have been living aboard for years.  

Related:  Best narrowboat YouTube channels 

#3 – Plan everything out 

Designing the layout of your narrowboat is a crucial step, so it’s a good idea to plan it thoroughly before work commences.

We’re talking from the very bones of your narrowboat, such as the ballasts (interior walls) and where you want your electrical outlets, to the furniture and style you desire.

You’ll need to decide where you want your:

• electrical outlets
• oven and hob

These decisions often spark other questions. For example, once you decide on where your bathroom will be:

• What type of toilet will you get?
• Where will the shower and bathroom panels go?
• Which wall will the extractor fan be fitted to?

Therefore, it’s important to sit down and consider everything before taking action.

If you have no experience creating plans, we recommend ordering some narrowboat drawing sets to get an accurate drawing to scale.

Do you want to see a narrowboat fit-out in progress with tons of advice and storage space ideas? Check out this video from Foxes Afloat. It demonstrates why planning is so important!

#4 – Use quality materials 

Ever heard the phrase ‘penny-wise and pound-foolish’? This should be your mantra when selecting the materials for fitting out your narrowboat.

It would help if you opted for the best materials you can afford, as spending more initially will cost you less in the long run.

Invest in poor quality materials, such as chipboard rather than solid wood or tough plywood, and you could end up with a worn or mouldy interior.

Instead, it would be best to look for durable options that will withstand the wear and tear of living aboard. Solid wood is expensive, but many narrowboaters use ply alongside a solid wood trim to lower their budget.  

Check out this page on  narrowboatbuilding.com  for more information on wall and floor lining options.

Related:  Narrowboat interior design tips from an expert 

#5 – Get professional help and advice 

Seeking advice from professionals in areas you’re not proficient in is never a bad idea.

We can’t stress the importance of asking for help when you need it, as having the confidence to do so will get you the best results and ensure you dodge any botched jobs that are costly and inconvenient.

Finding a local  BSS examiner  to survey your vessel is another all-important step when fitting out a narrowboat.

All work completed must be carried out under the BSS (Boat Safety Scheme), and those who overlook this could run up huge costs needed to reverse and repair unsatisfactory work.  

#6 – Expect setbacks 

Linking back to our point on patience, one of the biggest tips we can offer to those fitting out a narrowboat is to expect things to not go to plan.

There will always be a panel that doesn’t fit or a nasty job waiting to be uncovered. But that’s all part of the process, and allowing extra time for any setbacks is key to overcoming them.

For a quick example of a setback presenting itself, check out the video from Foxes Afloat below.

As you can see, they wanted to position their bed opposite to the way they are conventionally placed in a narrowboat.

This caused a slight issue, as the headboard obstructed the pathway from the bow doors, but they adapted the adjacent cupboard space to allow more room.

This is just one example of a setback that can easily crop up when fitting out your narrowboat, but you can combat this by always looking ahead.

Related: The top things to consider when buying a narrowboat  

Cost of fitting out a narrowboat

Since there are so many variable factors involved in fitting out a narrowboat, such as the size of the vessel and the aesthetic you wish to go for, there is no short answer.

The easiest way to determine a budget for your fit-out is to:

• gauge the size of boat you need
• add up the estimated cost of your chosen materials, furniture, and appliances
• get a quote for any additional labour time you require

However, if you need a solid figure, we can point you in the direction of true experts in this field,  Whilton Marina .

According to their website, the average fit-out costs are as follows:

• 35 foot – £15,000
• 57 foot – £26,000
• 70 foot – £35,000

Specialist narrowboat insurance from Insure4Boats 

Whether you purchase a sailaway narrowboat or opt for a renovated model, you need to protect your investment by having the right insurance.  

At Insure4Boats, our  specialist narrowboat insurance  protects your boat against theft, accidental damage, malicious damage, and salvage charges.

We also provide £3m Public Liability cover with each policy, so you’re protected against accidents on the waterways or if you cause damage to another boat.

Click the button below to discover how we can help and get an instant online quote today.

The Best Narrowboat Accessories To Have On Board

A complete breakdown of the costs of buying a narrowboat 

Narrowboat maintenance: everything you need to know 

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Core Skills: Fitting Out Small Boats

Taking the mystery out of fitting parts to the inside of a small boat..

Bob Fuller a third-generation boatbuilder and patternmaker with a commercial fishing background, grew up in Halifax, Massachusetts. He apprenticed with his father and grandfather, working in the family shop where he also learned the trade of designing and building traditional wooden ship’s steering wheels. Bob built his first wheel in 1976 at age 15. He enjoys building traditional small craft, including dories and Simmons Seaskiffs in his Plymouth, Massachusetts, shop. Recently, Bob has been teaching two apprentices the traditions of building ship’s steering wheels and wooden boats.

This course is appropriate for students with some knowledge and experience. Basic knowledge and use of hand tools is required for most shop courses. Basic knowledge and ability to sail is required for most waterfront courses.

This course involves a moderate level of activity throughout the week including: standing and working sometimes throughout the day, some hand planing or sanding, working on group projects that require occasional participation. Having adequate balance and agility to get in and out of boats on a moving float or other boats, ability to occasionally walk forward on the decks of larger boats.

This is a six-day course ending Saturday

The joinery work of a small boat is particularly exacting because there is nowhere to hide slipshod work —no burying rough joints under decks or in cabinetry. This course is designed to teach you how to make elegant parts and tight-fitting joints that will finish out a boat in style.

Many of the skills and techniques you acquire can be transferred to big boats as well. Your instructor will start the week describing how to organize a project as complicated as fitting out a boat. Students will learn how to work from boat plans and drawings. Your instructor will explain the versatility of various types of patterns and show you how to make them, as well as how to use them. You will learn about making curved parts and intricate interior fittings. Your instructor will demonstrate methods for measuring and layout in the hull to accurately position interior parts and pieces. They will also explain how to accurately scribe and fit parts such as the breasthook, quarter knees, thwarts, and risers. You will learn how to use epoxy, other glues and bedding compound; and to become familiar with woodworking in three dimensions with no right angles in sight.

* There is room for one or two students boats to be used in this course. Please contact us if you are interested.

Core Skills is a curriculum designed to complement and expand on our Fundamentals of Boatbuilding class. Each class in the Core Skills curriculum is focused on one core element of traditional small-boat construction. Our inaugural offering includes topics such as planking, setting up a building jig, and fitting out a boat. While these topics are covered as a portion of Fundamentals of Boatbuilding , Core Skills offers dedicated, weeklong exploration of each of them. Core Skills classes also offer hands-on learning of many of the topics introduced in our Mastering Skills video series . Students may take any or all of these classes in whatever order best suits them.

This course is appropriate for students with some knowledge and experience.  Basic knowledge and use of hand tools is required for most shop courses.

This course involves a moderate level of activity throughout the week including: standing and working sometimes throughout the day, some hand planing or sanding, working on group projects that require occasional participation.

Register For This Course

Courses fill quickly, so don't delay if this is a course you want to take.

Related Courses

Build your own tenderly dinghy, build your own stitch-and-glue kayak, build your own sassafras canoe, build your own northeaster dory.

Fitting Out

Not only does T. Nielsen & Company rebuild, restore and build boats, we are expert at fitting them out too. From saloon joinery to heads and from fully-fitted interiors to the latest navigation equipment, our skilled craftsmen have all aspects of fitting out covered.

Working in our dry docks , alongside berths , yards or covered workshops , T. Nielsen & Company have the craftsmen, production and manufacturing facilities to handle a project of virtually any size. As fitting out is such a personal part of any project, our design managers will spend as long as it takes to achieve the finish the client desires.

But we don't stop there as our capabilites also stretch to working on off-site projects , providing skilled craftsmen and workshop resources wherever in the world they are required.

To find out more about how T. Nielsen & Company can assist in fitting out your boat, please contact us.

Installing a Beta Marine Diesel engine during the Cornubia fit out.

New oak doors waiting to be fitted in Kaskelot.

Olga interior fit out

Twin Merryweather 4-stage 8 inch centrifugal pumps each producing 1,500 gpm (6,819 litres per minute) of the London Fire Boat Massey Shaw.

Fitting Out Guide

Welcome to the 2022 Fitting Out Guide, a special online-only collection of articles on the subject of spring maintenance from WoodenBoat Publications. The 2022 Guide emphasizes the maintenance of finishes and features articles from the archives of WoodenBoat and Professional BoatBuilder . It is hosted on the online membership community Small Boats Magazine .

Varnish Repair and Maintenance Coats

A general outline of the process for a basic annual-maintenance varnish job

Healthy, well-maintained exterior varnished surfaces will require one maintenance coat per year, unless the boat is in a boathouse or under cover. Additional coats might be needed on surfaces subjected to high traffic, abrasion, or ultraviolet exposure, and more frequent recoating might be needed in the tropics.

A Smooth and Level Painted Finish

Parameters for success

This article is about how to get your paint to flow and level. And the first thing you can do to assure success— before adding stuff to your paint, and before refining your application technique—is to pick the proper weather.

Masking Tape Techniques

Preparation for painting success

A paint or varnish job is only as good as the taped edges that define it. It’s important to know what types of tapes to use, how to use them, and how to remove them to achieve a clean look.

A Shop-Made Painting Lamp

Surface reflection with LED lighting

A good finish depends on many factors, including the quality of the paint or varnish, the preparation of the surface, and the expertise of the painter. However, even with the best possible paint quality, preparation, and skill, success will be elusive without good lighting.

Ten Things That Can Hurt Your Wooden Boat

Well-intentioned practices that do more harm than good

Ten practices common to spring outfitting that can be detrimental to your boat.

Painting SYMRA

Careful preparation and no masking tape yield a timeless finish

SYMRA needed new paint on the cabin sides. That project serves as an example of how I prepare her for painting, and what can be done without tape.

Varnishing Basics

A Guide to the Instructions on the Can

Varnish provides excellent protection while showing the beauty of the wood, but it takes a consistent commitment of time and skill each year to maintain it.

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Ready to sail the seas?

Cantiere Viareggio 

Cantiere Viareggio is a historic shipyard founded in the 1960s when the yachts’ hulls were still made of wooden boards and copper nails. With over 50 years of experience as a luxury interior manufacturer, Cantiere Viareggio offers luxury furnishings for fitting-out and refits.

Yacht fitting out

Baltimore bridge collapse: What happened and what do we know about the ship?

WHAT HAPPENED IN BALTIMORE?

Why did the bridge collapse, are there any casualties, what do we know about the ship that was involved, what do we know about the bridge that collapsed.

HOW WILL THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE IMPACT THE BALTIMORE PORT?

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Writing by Lisa Shumaker; Editing by Daniel Wallis

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Thomson Reuters

Lisa's journalism career spans two decades, and she currently serves as the Americas Day Editor for the Global News Desk. She played a pivotal role in tracking the COVID pandemic and leading initiatives in speed, headline writing and multimedia. She has worked closely with the finance and company news teams on major stories, such as the departures of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and significant developments at Apple, Alphabet, Facebook and Tesla. Her dedication and hard work have been recognized with the 2010 Desk Editor of the Year award and a Journalist of the Year nomination in 2020. Lisa is passionate about visual and long-form storytelling. She holds a degree in both psychology and journalism from Penn State University.

Venezuela opposition leader Machado says Yoris remains coalition candidate

Corina Yoris remains the main opposition coalition's presidential candidate in Venezuela's July elections despite not being able to register for the vote, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said on Tuesday.

Baltimore's biggest bridge collapses after being hit by a cargo ship, videos show. Mass casualty event declared.

• Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early on Tuesday morning.
• A livestream captured the moment a ship collided with one of the bridge's support beams.
• Authorities are calling it a "mass casualty event" and say 20 people went into the water.

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on Tuesday morning after it was struck by a large container ship.

A video of the incident was posted early on Tuesday morning to X, formerly Twitter. In the video, the container ship the Dali is seen colliding with one of the bridge's support beams. Smoke is seen billowing from the ship before the bridge began crumbling.

"MAJOR BALTIMORE TRAFFIC ALERT: AVOID I-695 southeast corridor. I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike," the Maryland Transportation Authority said in an X post on Tuesday morning.

A representative for the Baltimore Police Department told ABC News that "at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge."

Emergency services teams, including divers and at least two helicopters, responded to the scene, per Baltimore County's police scanner in the hour and a half after the bridge's collapse.

Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, declared a state of emergency early on Tuesday.

He said he was working to "quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration," per the BBC.

In a news conference later in the day, Moore said that the crew on the ship notified authorities they had lost power.

Moore told reporters that the ship was moving at a "very rapid speed" and that the call to the authorities stopped a greater disaster from occurring, with cars redirected away from the bridge.

He also said the bridge was "fully up to code" and had no structural issues.

Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland's transportation secretary, told reporters that there were workers on the bridge at the time repairing potholes, and that six people were unaccounted for.

The White House said it was "closely monitoring" the situation, and that there was no indication of any nefarious intent.

"Our hearts go out to the families of those who remain missing as a result of this horrific incident," a spokesperson told BI in a statement.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on X that he had offered the DOT's support to Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.

The Baltimore Fire Department estimates that up to 20 people people went into the water, the BBC reported .

Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said at a press conference early Tuesday that two people had been recovered from the water. One refused service, while another was transported to a local trauma center "in very serious condition," he said.

The fire department had not made contact with the ship's captain yet, he said.

A livestream view of the area at around 3:00 a.m. local time showed the bridge's structure partially submerged in the harbor and in several pieces.

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said that the ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port, ABC News reported .

The crew notified officials that they had lost control and warned of a possible collision, the report said, per ABC News.

Structural engineer Ian Firth told the BBC that the heavy ship would have struck the bridge support backed by many thousands of metric tons.

"The support is a very, relatively, flimsy structure when you look at it, it's a kind of trestle structure with individual legs," he told the outlet. "So, the bridge has collapsed simply as a result of this very large impact force."

Barbara Rossi, an engineering professor at the University of Oxford, told BI: "According to what I could see online, the bridge has received a huge impact force on one of its supporting structures."

"The impacting force must have been immense," she said.

The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean, a Singapore-based firm. The firm confirmed in a statement on Tuesday morning that their vessel had struck one of the bridge's pillars, per TradeWinds .

"All crew members, including the two pilots, have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution," read the firm's statement.

It had 22 crew aboard, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement .

According to Grace Ocean, the vessel was bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka when the accident took place.

Maersk, the ship's charterer, confirmed that vessel company Synergy Group operates the ship. Maersk's spokesperson told BI in a statement that the company is "horrified" by the events, and added that no Maersk employees were on board.

"We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy," it added.

As of Tuesday morning, authorities warned mariners and drone operators to avoid the waters and nearby airspace.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. said in an X post that the authorities "are closely monitoring the ongoing situation at the Key Bridge."

"Our prayers remain with all those impacted," Olszewski wrote.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in March 1977 as the final link in the Baltimore Beltway, according to the MDTA .

It cost $60.3 million to build and is 10.9 miles long, per the MDTA.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

Baltimore bridge collapse: What do we know about the incident and the cargo ship?

The collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge has been called a "developing mass casualty event" by the Baltimore City Fire Department. Here's everything we know so far.

Tuesday 26 March 2024 14:38, UK

A major bridge has collapsed in the US city of Baltimore after it was hit by a cargo ship in what the city's fire department has called a "dire emergency".

Rescue teams are searching the water by the fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge for casualties, with eight people thought to have fallen in, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD).

Two people have been rescued from the water and one is in a "very serious condition", said BCFD chief James Wallace.

Emergency responders are still searching for six people in the water who are believed to be part of a construction crew that was repairing potholes on the bridge, the Maryland Department of Transportation has said.

Here's everything we know about the incident so far.

What happened?

A large section of the 1.6 mile-long bridge fell into the water following the collision at around 1.30am local time (5.30am UK time).

The city fire department's communications chief Kevin Cartwright has called the incident a "developing mass casualty event", adding it was too early to know how many people were affected.

What does the video show?

It shows the vessel approaching the bridge before the structure collapses into the water.

Vehicles can be seen falling from the bridge.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Search of the water ongoing after two people rescued

Emergency services searching the water rescued two people this morning, one of whom has been transferred to a local trauma centre in a "very serious condition", BCFD chief James Wallace said.

The other person, he added refused care and was not injured.

Baltimore bridge latest: Ship 'lost power' before crash; 'at least seven people' still in water - follow live updates What caused the collision?

Emergency teams may be looking for "upwards of seven individuals", he said. When asked about why the department's spokesperson had earlier suggested as many of 20 workers could have fallen in, he noted it was a "very large incident" with a "very large footprint".

"Information is subject to change as we get more intel," he added.

Mr Wallace said the "challenging" rescue operation was being guided by dive teams, and added: "We're battling darkness. It's quite possible we may have somebody there that we've not seen yet."

He said experts will advise on when the "non-survivability point" has been reached.

The BCFD's chief spokesperson earlier warned: "This operation is going to extend for many days."

Cars fell into the river

Mr Cartwright said multiple vehicles were on the Key Bridge when it was struck by the ship, one of which was the size of a tractor-trailer.

He said it appears there are "some cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge", creating unsafe and unstable conditions, and that emergency service workers were operating cautiously as a result.

Reports all lanes were closed before bridge collapse

There were early reports that all lanes on the bridge were closed before the collapse and all traffic was already being re-routed.

The Maryland Transport Authority confirmed the closure on social media just before 2am, saying "all lanes closed in both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge" - but did not say whether they were closed before or after the collision.

It has since been confirmed by Maryland governor Wes Moore that operators of the ship issued a mayday call moments before slamming into the bridge.

Mr Moore said the boat was travelling at a speed of eight knots so there was limited time, but that those who received the distress call prevented vehicles from coming onto the bridge.

"Those people are heroes, they saved lives," he said.

What do we know about the bridge itself?

The Francis Scott Key Bridge is an enormous steel structure which carries the Interstate 695 highway over the Patapsco River southeast of the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Built in 1977 and referred to locally as the Key Bridge, it was named after the author of the American national anthem.

The bridge is more than 8,500ft, or 1.2 miles, long in total.

Its main section spans 1,200ft and was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world upon its completion, according to the National Steel Bridge Alliance.

What do we know about the ship that hit it?

The container ship, known as Dali, was headed to Colombo in Sri Lanka at the time of the collision.

It appears to have sustained damage, a fire department official told Sky News partner network CNBC, though the ship's management company Synergy Marine Group said all 22 crew members on board have been accounted for and no injuries have been reported.

It confirmed the Singapore-flagged Dali vessel collided with one of the Key Bridge pillars while under the control of two pilots. The firm said the exact cause of the incident was yet to be determined.

The whole crew is still on board the vessel but are communicating with the coastguard.

ABC News has now reported the crew have told officials the ship had "lost propulsion" as it was leaving the port.

ABC quoted an unclassified US intelligence report by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as saying: "The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and an collision with the bridge was possible. The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse."

CCTV and marine tracking data shows the container ship lost power for around 60 seconds about four minutes before it hit the bridge. It appeared to adjust its course and start smoking before impact.

The vessel's individual incident response service has been mobilised, Synergy added.

According to ship tracking website VesselFinder, Dali had been involved in a 2016 collision at the Port of Antwerp as it tried to leave the port.

It said the vessel had "substantial stern momentum" causing the collision with a stone wall of the quay.

The berth where the ship had been docked was "seriously damaged and closed for cargo handling operations due to safety reasons", the website said.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

About the Port of Baltimore

The harbour is the deepest in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay - the largest estuary in the US. It has five public and 12 private terminals and is one of the busiest ports in the US.

It's the most active US port for car shipments, handling more than 750,000 vehicles in 2023, according to data from the Maryland Port Administration.

And it's the largest US port by volume for handling farm and construction machinery, as well as agricultural products. Last year its agricultural imports totalled three million tonnes, including 1.2 million tonnes of sugar and salt, according to data analysts Kpler.

More than 40 ships remained inside the port after the incident, data from MarineTraffic shows, including small cargo ships, tug boats and pleasure craft.

It was not immediately clear if any other vessels had been damaged or whether operations had halted to and from the port, shipping and insurance sources told Reuters.

We do know it's closed to traffic after the incident until further notice.

What have experts said?

A maritime safety expert says the "most likely" cause of the crash was a failure in the ship's machinery.

David McFarlane, director of Maritime Risk and Safety Consultants Ltd, told Sky News: "The first thing that springs to my mind is: was there a sudden fault with the ship's engines or the steering gear? The other, of course, is: was there a navigational error?"

Mr McFarlane said a human error was less likely because of the number of people who would have been on duty.

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He added: "There should be no room for one-person errors because one of the other people should jump in and say 'hang on...'.

"The most likely cause of this is a failure in machinery or steering gear, but we just won't know until the authorities have been on board. And even then, they're unlikely to say what's been going on for some considerable time."

Lead up to incident seemed 'unusual'

"It's a frightful incident and shows how fragile maritime infrastructure is if you don't get things right," said Chris Parry, former Royal Navy rear admiral.

"It's happening at night… so mercifully, there won't be too many people on the bridge. It's not commuter time."

He said it appears from video footage that the ship was "off track" as it headed towards the bridge, adding: "Normally the air traffic control system would have warned him [the pilot] about that if he was on track for the bridge.

"Frankly it's a routine operation," he continued. "We're going to have to wait for the inquiry to see what happened. But it's unusual unless they've had a mechanical or electrical failure that that sort of thing should happen."

Is it normal for a bridge to collapse so suddenly?

Civil and structural engineer Julian Carter told Sky News bridges such as the one in Baltimore are "very weak at points".

"It proves with many of these structures - and we have similar ones in the UK - that they're actually quite simple in concept… but they're very weak at certain points. And a ship collision is quite complex because as a ship impacts, it changes shape.

"But you can imagine the amount of energy that is in that container ship, thousands and thousands and tons that are coming to hit the pier.

"Now they've hit the pier, and that certainly would not have been part of the design basis, I would assume, otherwise we'd have very large fenders around that pier base as it's in the water," Mr Carter continued.

"An incredibly unfortunate event that with modern technology [like] satellite navigation, we would expect it just simply not to happen.

"But if you then look at the way that it has collapsed, it's what we call a continuous structure - every little piece is connected to another. And unfortunately, it's catastrophic collapse."

Barbara Rossi, associate professor of engineering science at the University of Oxford, said: "The bridge has received a huge impact force on one of its supporting structure. The supporting structure appears to be made of reinforced concrete."

Professor Rossi added the force impact "must have been immense to lead these massive concrete structures to collapse, leaving the superstructure without one of its supports".

She added the video footage shows that once the arch collapses, "the entire structure loses its stability".

How much could reconstruction cost?

A civil engineering specialist has suggested it could cost as much as $600m (£474m).

David Mackenzie, chair of engineering and architecture consultancy COWIfonden, told Sky News constructing the bridge in the 1970s cost roughly $60m.

"It's going to be over 10 times that to rebuild it at least," he said.

The pressure on commuter traffic means it will have to be carried out quickly he added, with the procurement process "short cut hugely".

"It is going to be an expensive rebuild," he said.

Mr Mackenzie said it will also require a "complete redesign" with enhanced ship impact protection.

Related Topics

• Baltimore bridge collapse
• United States

• International edition
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Baltimore Bridge collapse: at least six missing after ship crashes into bridge

Biden calls incident a ‘terrible accident’ and mayor says rescue efforts continuing after cargo vessel hit Francis Scott Key Bridge

• Baltimore bridge collapse – latest updates

A major bridge in Baltimore , Maryland, has snapped and collapsed after a container ship collided with it early on Tuesday, sending a number of vehicles into the water.

Baltimore fire department officials said at least six people were still missing, after reports that a 948ft Singapore-flagged container ship leaving port on its way to Sri Lanka crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It added that up to 20 people and several vehicles had fallen into the river and declared it a “mass casualty event”.

A video posted on X appeared to show the vessel striking one of the bridge’s central supports, causing much of the 2.6km bridge to give way as a number of vehicles fell into the Patapsco River below.

Joe Biden addressed the bridge collapse in a public briefing about midday, saying that all indications were that it was a “terrible accident” rather than an intentional act”.

The president also said he was thinking of those who remained unaccounted for amid the search and rescue efforts around the bridge, a key traffic artery whose destruction is also expected to cause months of travel disruption in a city with more than 575,000 residents.

“We’re with you. We’re going to stay with you as long as it takes,” said Biden, adding that he intended to travel to Baltimore as soon as possible. “You’re Maryland tough. You’re Baltimore strong.”

Officials said the ship issued a mayday as it went off course and seemed to lose power, which Baltimore officials said allowed them to prevent more vehicles from coming on to the bridge. The ship then appeared to catch fire as part of the bridge collapsed over it, sending plumes of thick, black smoke into the air.

Two people have been rescued, with one of them “severely” injured and in critical condition, officials said in a pre-dawn press conference. There were reports that there were workers on the bridge engaged in basic road maintenance when the collision occurred.

The temperature in the river was about 47F (8C) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began. “All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland transportation authority posted on X. “I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike. Active scene,” it later added.

Calls to 911 had come in at about 1.30am, reporting a vessel travelling outbound from Baltimore that had struck a column on the bridge, causing it to collapse, said Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore fire department. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer.

“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” Cartwright said. He added that it was too early to know how many people were affected but described the collapse as a “developing mass casualty event”.

Cartwright said it appeared that there were “some cargo or retainers” that appeared to be dangling from the bridge, creating unsafe and unstable conditions that were complicating the rescue operation. “This is a dire emergency,” he said.

Matthew West, a petty officer first class for the coastguard in Baltimore, told the New York Times that the coastguard received a report of an impact at 1.27am ET. West said the Dali, a 948ft (290-metre) Singapore-flagged cargo ship, had hit the bridge, which is part of Interstate 695.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) confirmed that the vessel was registered in Singapore and said the agency was coordinating with the US Coast Guard and the ship’s management company to help. It also said it would investigate the incident itself.

There were 22 crew onboard at the time of the incident, Singapore said.

The shipping company Maersk said that it chartered the container ship in Baltimore, with the operator named as Synergy Marine Group. Maersk confirmed that there were 22 crew, and said they were all Indian. None of them were Maersk crew or personnel.

It added that there were 4,679 containers on board, roughly half of its 10,000 capacity.

“We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected,” the company said in a statement.

The Dali had left Baltimore at 1am and was heading for the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, according to the maritime data platform MarineTraffic. Synergy Marine Group, the manager of the Dali, confirmed that the ship had collided with one of the pillars of the bridge. It said all crew members, including the two pilots, had been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.

“Whilst the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the Dali has now mobilised its qualified individual incident response service,” it said.

The same vessel was also involved in a collision in 2016 in Antwerp, Belgium, according to Vessel Finder and the maritime incident archive Shipwrecklog.

Its bow reportedly scraped the side of the quay while it was leaving port, significantly damaging several meters of the hull, and it was reportedly detained by authorities afterward.

According to Vessel Finder , the weather was fine at the time and the incident was blamed on the ship’s master and pilot on board. There were reportedly no injuries.

The Baltimore mayor, Brandon M Scott, called it an “unthinkable tragedy” at a press conference held as dawn broke on Baltimore. “Never would you imagine” seeing the bridge collapse, he added. “It looked like something out of an action movie.”

Asked about how long it would take to rebuild the bridge, he said: “The discussion right now should be about the people, the lives, the souls … there are people in the water that we have to get out and that’s the only thing we should be talking about.”

He and the county executive, Johnny Olszewski Jr, said emergency personnel were at the scene and rescue efforts were under way.

Officials added that there was “absolutely no indication that there was any terrorism or that this was done on purpose”.

The Maryland governor, Wes Moore, said in a statement that he had declared a state of emergency.

He said the ship had lost power around the time when the cargo ship hit the Key Bridge, and the crew issued a “mayday” request. Moore said that officials were able to slow the flow of traffic, preventing more vehicles from falling into the water.

“These people are heroes. They saved lives last night,” Moore said, adding that Baltimore was working with an interagency government team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden administration.

Moore added the bridge was “fully up to code” before Tuesday’s accident and that rebuilding the bridge would be a long-term effort.

In a statement, the White House said it is “closely monitoring” the events. “The US Coast Guard is conducting search and rescue for those who remain unaccounted for as a result of the bridge collapse,” it said. “Senior White House officials are in touch with the governor and mayor to offer any federal assistance they need. There is no indication of any nefarious intent.”

It added that “our hearts go out” to the victims and families of what it called a “horrific incident”.

Built in 1977, the bridge spans the Patapsco River, a vital artery that along with the Port of Baltimore is a hub for shipping on the US’s east coast. It is named for the author of the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.

Gloria Oladipo , Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report

• Baltimore bridge collapse
• Water transport

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