This month we have been busy with our annual survey inspections on the Shoalhaven Explorer. Every year we have our vessel inspected to ensure it, along with the equipment, meets the standard to ensure a safe environment for our passengers and crew.
There are two inspections that need to be carried out, an ‘In Water’ Inspection, where the inspector comes onboard the Shoalhaven Explorer, while it is in the water, to check the vessels structure, the safety equipment, the operating equipment as well as the hulls and holding tanks. There is also an ‘Out of Water’ inspection that is only conducted every few years. This allows the inspector to check the legs and props as well as the underneath of the hull to ensure everything is in good working order and safe.
This is our very first Survey, so it was a bit daunting. This year incorporated both the ‘In Water’ and ‘Out of Water’ survey inspections. This meant that the inspections would be conducted on different days which allowed us time to put the Shoalhaven Explorer up on the Slipway. We also used the opportunity to give the Shoalhaven Explorer a good clean up and paint as well as servicing the running gear.
What’s involved in slipping a boat the size of the Shoalhaven Explorer?
Cleaning off the Hitchhikers
Once everything was locked into place, it was time to start the tough job of cleaning the hitchhikers off the Shoalhaven Explorer. I could not believe how many barnacles had attached themselves to the hulls of the boat and boy was it hard work scraping all those little suckers off. It was a very satisfying experience though and once we got into a rhythm it didn’t take that long at all.
Before
After
Antifoul, what is it good for!
All Antifouled Up!!
Mechanical Service
While this was going on, there was also some mechanical servicing happening. This was to ensure that when we got the Shoalhaven Explorer back in the water, everything would be running like a well-oiled machine. This was a
Makeover
On top of all these things we also decided to repaint the rest of the hull and thought that the Shoalhaven Explorer deserved a makeover. Stay tuned for the transformation which will be revealed soon 😉
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