This bow thruster installation was in a compartment under a forward deck sail locker with a non-gasketed access panel. Salt water from wet sails and waves could leak through the access panel directly onto the thruster battery fuse connections. The results are obvious in the picture- corrosion of both sides of the fuse. The thruster stopped working and the new owners had to overhaul the connectors and use copper crush washers to ensure a tight fit. A cover to keep salt water off the connections was recommended as part of the survey.
Surveyor Tidbits #5
