Here is an update to the work performed on the Aleutian Ballad. We have installed a new 50 horsepower dual blade Wesmar Bow Thruster and tube inserted into the FWD Hull.
We have installed two new Fernstrum Main Engine Keel and Cofferdam mounts on the inside of the engine room along with new piping systems from the Main Engine to the cofferdams and keel coolers.
The cofferdams are rather large, they are 18″ pipe with new cooling pipes from the Main Engines with valves to the cofferdam/keel coolers. We needed to remove all of the fuel from the vessel and we gas freed all of the vessel’s tanks by pressure washing the insides.
We removed fourteen manhole hatches on the main deck. some will be inserted and some will receive new hatches, a good bit of steel work. Giddings has sandblasted the bottom underwater hull and installed five coats of paint One 302 Inorganic zinc, two Anti corrosives and two Anti fouling for the bottom hull.
Giddings has blasted the entire Main deck down to the keel , this is a very large undertaking which approximately takes two to three weeks of labor every day from 3 or 4 employees, masking off to protect important areas. The lower bottom hull receives 5 coats of paint that is 25 to 35 or more gallons a coat of paint per coat.
The upper and Main deck only receive 4 coats of paint, one inorganic 302 Zinc, two Anti corrosives and one finish topcoat. The entire hydraulic system on the Main deck has renewed with new piping along.
The fire main system has been replaced on the main deck with stainless steel piping. Giddings will make any needed repairs to the hull if any steel is to be renewed. Giddings has hired a local electrical firm to install the new wires and to hook up the bow thrusters motor, the firm will complete the hook up and install with the USCG oversight.
Giddings has been working daily with the vessel’s engineer and the United States coast Guard to ensure the project goes on without any issues. The vessel owner is doing some of his own work like replacing the wood deck that you walk on, this is called a false deck because the real steel deck is around one foot below the wood deck.
