When the 44west team prepared for the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic, they needed absolute confidence that every component could withstand continuous saltwater exposure, elevated temperatures, high humidity, vibration and sustained mechanical stress. Meeting these demands required expertise spanning multiple scientific and engineering disciplines – and this is where our global Connectivity & Products (C&P) laboratory network proved invaluable. For 44west knew, ‘in the end, it’s trusted because it’s tested.’
As the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification (TIC) company, we mobilized laboratories across Europe, Asia and North America, each contributing specialized technical expertise to ensure safety, durability and performance across all critical systems of 44west’s vessel. For a project of this complexity, the value of partnering with a TIC organization capable of delivering cross-disciplinary leadership, rather than isolated, single-field testing, becomes unmistakable.
- Suzhou laboratory, China
Conducted a comprehensive qualification program on 44west’s solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to verify resilience against vibration, saltwater corrosion, UV radiation and fluctuating environmental stressors:- Visual inspection – external defects checked in line with IEC standards
- Insulation resistance – electrical isolation verified between circuit and frame
- Wet leakage current – safe operation ensured under even the worst wet conditions
- Performance testing – power output and efficiency confirmed
- Outdoor exposure – real‑world environmental durability assessed
- Salt mist corrosion – long‑term marine resistance evaluated
- Sand abrasion – protection against airborne grit and salt verified
- Humidity freeze cycling – resistance to moisture and temperature swings tested
- Shanghai laboratory, China
Performed comprehensive food-contact material and chemical safety testing to ensure the team’s food supply remained safe, stable and contamination-free throughout the multi-week crossing:- Overall and specific migration – evaluated to confirm no harmful substance transfer
- Heavy metals – checked for toxicity at trace levels
- Primary aromatic amines – screened due to carcinogenic potential
- Monomers – assessed to ensure PET building blocks did not migrate
- Bisphenols – tested for endocrine‑disrupting compounds
- PFAS – screened for persistent ‘forever chemicals’
- Fairfield laboratory, USA
Executed advanced textile performance and chemical compliance testing to ensure the rowers’ clothing could withstand prolonged UV exposure, salt spray, mechanical abrasion and continuous wear:- UV transmittance – measured to verify protection against harmful radiation
- Dry and wet performance – assessed to confirm UV protection under moisture exposure
- Durability testing – evaluated under controlled temperature, light and environmental stress
- Mechanical and comfort properties – checked for strength, colorfastness, moisture management and drying
- Chemical screening – conducted for restricted or hazardous substances with dermal exposure risk
- Microfiber release – quantified during simulated washing cycles
- Cestas laboratory, France
To ensure the operational reliability of 44west’s communication and navigation equipment in harsh marine environments, our Cestas laboratory conducted targeted corrosion and durability testing, including:- Salt‑spray and cyclic corrosion testing
- Accelerated aging
- Material performance evaluations under marine exposure
- Sittard laboratory, Netherlands
To verify that the jackstay system could withstand the extreme dynamic and static loads encountered during an Atlantic crossing, our laboratory conducted targeted structural and mechanical testing, including:- Tensile strength under high load
- Structural and dynamic performance assessments
- Fastening integrity evaluations
A unified global effort
Each laboratory contributed specialized expertise; however, it was the coordinated strength of our global C&P network, aligned to a single, immovable race deadline, which enabled 44west to reach the start line with fully validated systems and complete confidence.
Whether testing corrosion resistance in France, mechanical safety in the Netherlands, photovoltaic durability in China or textile performance in the USA, we delivered a seamless, multi‑disciplinary program designed for one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world.
Enjoyed this article?
Find more news and updates in our Consumer Compact newsletter >
Delivered direct to your inbox
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA.
