STEM - The dry dock worksite and working on old ships.
Good day, Zak Ludick here from Cape Town, South Africa in my hard hat and overalls. The environment around me is extremely hot, despite the out of season showers outside, turning the quayside muddy on the gravel areas and flooded on the concrete.
The generators are thundering, blocking out all other sounds. Earplugs are a must.
This does however cause you to need to shoot at one another with your face put next to the other person's ear. New handsigns are invented.
This is the environment we are working in. I have been on site for 6, going on 7 weeks. I am fatigued and my patience is wearing thin. As you can see... I look very impressed.
Our workscope is to restore ancient equipment back to life, this chiller is more than 50 years old with many fixes and patches along the way.
We are busy reseating a leaking flange gasket...
But once we did that, water began leaking out of the end cap sockets where the sacrificial anodes are installed. Needs to be rewelded.
They are busy flooding the Dry Dock. Getting ready to float the vessel.
This tank was also a thorn in my side. With a leak and a patch and a leak and a patch. But you can see all the rust that is on there.
Eventually the end cap was replaced and the vessel could hold pressure.
Just a few more days. I do not have many words at the moment as I am fatigued and agitated.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Cheers!
@zakludick
I hope you have some time off soon.
I'll get time off when the ship leaves Cape Town.... 😒
When does it leave?
Any date they tell me is purely speculation.
They just floated the vessel. Usually it takes them another 10 days before sailing. It is the 13th today so that would mean the 23rd.
However, they said they would sail on the 16th. No matter how gung-ho you are about it, there is something called sea trials that need to be passed by external auditors before the ship may sail for Namibia.
Thats not bad then, we arent talking months here.
Just heard on site that they are going to be leaving on the 18th
Good news. When does the next boat come?
They did 8 of them this year. We were here for two of them.
Usually there are 3 to 4 per year.
......
We are NOT supposed to be taking more work from this client though.......
You look like you're so done with all of this.
I am....
Wow~ Zac! You should post this great stuff about your work in a community I created called "WorkLife". This stuff is golden~ Its raw and honest hard work.
You can find it in the communities page. Nice man!
Cool man. I shall do that. Next one. 👍🏻🛠⚒🔧⚙🔩
I remembered the post you made before going on deck for the job. I am glad you are doing great even though you are tired, you are almost done and I wish you a safe return to your family.
Thanks man. I can't wait to be totally done here. 🙏