Navigating half-life: Reflecting on 47 Days Ashore, the Longest Slip Period Since Launch
/The STV Windeward Bound, launched in 1996 with a resounding declaration of "She's Driza-bone," embodies both maritime tradition and educational innovation. Regular slipping, essential for maintenance and surveys every two years, not only ensures the vessel's operational integrity but also provides invaluable opportunities for live-aboard volunteers. Through hands-on experiences during these periods, volunteers cultivate crucial engineering and maintenance skills, laying a sturdy foundation for future careers in maritime and engineering fields.
A half-life refit is typically conducted midway through its expected lifespan. For us this 2024 maintenance period took 47 days- The Windeward Bound’s longest slip since its launch. It has involved all the regular tasks of a slip and a few extras.
The regular tasks include:
- Removing growth and old antifoul
- Repainting the antifoul on the hull
- Cleaning the cable locker
- Chipping and repainting the cable
- Cleaning and repainting the rudder
- Replacing anodes
- Servicing all seacocks and Shipside Valves
Additional tasks completed this slip:
- Increasing the Thickness of the bow planking with sacrificial timbers to protect from anchor damage
- Taking the hull back to bare wood to ensure health of the timber by removing some 96 coats of old paint by hand chipping and sanding
- Prop shaft removed for inspection of shaft and bearings and re-installed.
- Rudder removed for inspection and re-installed
These tasks support the ship to pass her out of water survey and prolong her lifespan. Surveys in Australia are essential for ensuring ship safety and compliance with regulations. Conducted by maritime authorities, these assessments evaluate structural integrity, equipment, and seaworthiness to identify and address deficiencies. Compliance with survey requirements is vital for obtaining certifications necessary for legal operation in Australian waters, contributing significantly to maritime safety and regulatory adherence.
So, what was it like being on the slip for so long?
We had some amazing nights, we were on the slip during the solar flare and had fantastic views of the Aurora Australis during several nights mid slipping. This helped to lift the crew spirits as the slip period was already starting to feel really long! It was such a special sight.
One of the big tasks this slip was adding sacrificial timber to our anchoring area of the bow. We had our Apprentice shipwright from our MISTRAL II program apply his skills in supporting this project along with shipwrights Matt and Peter. Windeward Bound certainly paints a more striking picture with this improvement
We had some slip mascots to help lift spirits after days of sanding and chipping. Always happy to chase a ball around the yard and come looking for a pat during break times and when the slipway was safe. They even tried to steal some lunch, to no avail.
Being able to see the progress we were making was an amazing feeling. Some days it felt tense like you were just doing the same thing over and over again especially after three weeks without a day off and then you could look up and you’re struck by how big the ship is and how much you have done. I know once the hull was stripped to bare wood that was something that I felt inside and was proud of. There was so much growth at the start and antifoul to remove it seemed overwhelming, but we made so much progress!
Tom and Fenn are currently completing their Marine Engine Driver Three Qualification. We have been working on projects relevant to our task books for the Marine Engine Driver Three qualification. There is so much to do in the engine room on slip and I have learned so much. I have also learnt a lot about problem solving and task management.
We had a big scare on one of our last days on the slip. Sarah woke up and noticed a 55.6 knot gust on the anemometer and made a call to leave the ship for the duration of the storm just in case. She woke us all up from our bunks and we waited down in the shed for a few hours at 3am before the wind died down and we all got to go back to bed for a slightly later start. It was great to know that the Captain was looking out for our safety. The bad weather caused us to shut down for a day and moved the crew off the slipway for safety. During the high winds the scaffolding blew into the ship scratching the freshly painted hull, and boats in the harbour were blown over. We had to spend more time on the slip repairing the slight damage and luckily just made it back in the water during a brief weather window over the next weekend.
I cannot explain to you the feeling of floating the boat again after so long on the slip. The atmosphere of excitement amongst the crew was overwhelming. Everyone looking over the stern for the moment the stern touched the water and watching the water creep up the rudder towards the propeller. Our final day on the slip started at 8 am and ended pulling up to a dock at 6pm. Time for the clean up to begin and get ready for more voyages after a little bit of time for crew recovery.
In summary, our time up on the slip totalled to 47 days including coming out of the water and going back in. One of these days we were unable to work due to dangerous weather conditions. The slip was successful and has no doubt improved the life of our ship- vital to the Windeward Bound Foundation’s award-winning youth development programs. This year, the slip incurred a cost of approximately $91 000. If it's within your means, please consider contributing a tax-deductible donation to uphold the ongoing endeavours of the STV Windeward Bound.
To donate, please visit this link or contact us directly via email at office@Windewardbound.com.au or phone us at 0438 120 599 or 0418 120 399. Your support is invaluable and directly impacts our ability to continue providing life-changing sailing experiences.
