Progress Report #14 | 29th December 2022
Paint works
After the engine room hull insert had been welded shut, local filling and fairing was completed on the hull to compensate for some shrinkage caused by the welding process.
The hull topsides starboard side, transom and the respray on the portside above the rubbing strake was painted in 3 coats of Alexseal 501 topcoat paint.
The above was inspected by Arrow Monaco’s appointed paint surveyor, it was decided that some areas would need to be re painted due to dust inclusions and pin holes that were above the contractual allowance.
Areas to be repainted are port and starboard side hull above the rubbing strakes to the main deck embarkation points and the transom. To improve the dust levels, the tent door will be improved, and engineering works will have to stop for the days of repainting to remove vibrations on the hull and the movement of dust.
The paint on the bow and areas below the rubbing strake are of good quality and are accepted. The remedial works will not leave any additional cut lines.
Paint works continued
Following the inspection in November, the bridge deck pilot house starboard side has been repainted, inspected and accepted.
The boot line will be painted during the last days of December in stark white.
The hull underwater coatings have been prepared and re coated after scorch marks from hot works during the refit, the last layers of antifoul will be applied the days prior to the launch.
Hot works
The engine room starboard side hull insert that was used to disembark and re embark the engine room components has been welded shut.
The small hull insert in the VIP cabin aft has been closed, this insert was made to allow for the lead ballast to be removed and re installed.
Non destructive testing was completed on both welds with the presence of a RINA surveyor. The alignment and welding is of a high quality and accepted by all parties.
This is a big milestone in the refit project, no the engine room is closed, and the hull structure is complete. Exterior paint works and engine room installations can now be finalised.
Running gear
The main components of the propulsion shaft line have now been installed. Such as the 6 sections of shafts, couplings, carrier bearings and seals.
The alignment and final installation of the shaft line to the thrust bearings will take place when Arionas is afloat to account for hull movement when she is afloat.
The propeller and shaft line cooling pipework are still to be completed along with the propellers installation.
Now the crew have repainted the steering flat, the shipyard have installed the serviced rudder stock seals. Once the new steering rams have arrived all the hydraulics, pumps, pipes and controls will be re installed.
Stabilizer wiring is still underway, the fins are not yet installed on the stocks.
Generator exhausts
After some complications on the SCR and exhaust system installation between shipyard and owners supply equipment, the SCR’s and exhausts have now started to be installed.
The steel frames that mount the fibreglass components (water collectors and separator's) have been welded, painted and the equipment mounted.
The SCR installation on the SCR rollbars has now begun.
The steel pipework components are now on-site work has begun to tack weld the pipework in the correct orientation before being sent away for final welding.
Stern gangway
The stern gangway has been constructed and connected to a test rig in the engineering workshop for factory tests.
All motions apart from the movement that retracts the main section into the hull was tested.
All tests were a success, but it was noticed that there was no safety device on the stairs up motion. Meaning that the steps would rise too high and the ram piston would damage the gangway structure. This is most probably how the original structure and piston rod were damaged prior to the refit.
Small additional works are being planned to add a mechanical stop within the ram so the risk of similar damage is removed.
The crew are fitting the new step lighting circuit. The gangway will be re installed once the hull re paint is completed as earlier described.
Engine room
The large job of running pipework and electrical cables for the serial hybrid propulsion system is still underway.
The Amico supplied main switchboard and alarm and monitoring system wiring is continuing.
Other pipework systems such as the general service pipework and manifold, fire main repairs and alterations to allow for the serial hybrid propulsion system is still underway.
Tank cleaning has begun, tanks will have a final inspection by Arrow Monaco for correct tank coatings and cleanliness before cleaning. Any tanks that have had hot works on their boundaries will be pressure tested with liquid fill with a RINA surveyors' attendance.
During the first stage of tank inspections some small damage was found in the black water tank created from hot works in the adjacent shaft tunnel. A repair procedure has been supplied by RINA classification and remedial works will soon begin.
The junction boxes for the electric propulsion motors are being installed in place on framework hung from the deckhead.
Aft engine room floor structure is being welded in place.
Crew works
The installation of deck fittings and steelworks is still underway.
The VIP cabin has had the lead ballast re installed.
The lazarette has had its surfaces prepared, re painted and lined with rubber to protect it from the lead ballast. The lead ballast has started to be re placed in the bilges accordingly.
