The Diary of a Volunteer

02.10.2020

Good progress in several areas continues to be made, with new wire warps being installed onboard the vessel. Throughout the ship stripping, varnishing and painting continues. Maintenance of rusty areas allows for their removal with new lengths being freshly welded. Once in place, they are being painted and protected with fresh paint systems. 

Volunteers have been cleaning and polishing in the engine room, and it was also found to be necessary task on the Engine Casing due to the unfortunate arrival of pigeon and seagull feces on the newly painted casing.

Despite the appallingly wet weather we were fortunate enough to have ten volunteers come aboard to assist with essential maintenance. In the Starboard alleyway by the engine room a newly cleared work area has been created, allowing for handy bench repairing work to be taken out. Fortunately, work on the bench area allowed us also discover bits of rotten deck work.  

Rain does continue to access the interior of the vessel and has damaged some older interior doors below decks. These are now being gradually restored. In other areas, mildew forming on interior walls and ceilings is being leaned away as soon as it develops.

We are incredibly grateful for a generous donation of steel trips by AF Drew Constructors of Frampton Cotterill. This will help tremendously as we continue to restore the Balmoral on our weekly maintenance days.

Next week our Chief Engineer will be back aboard the Balmoral next Tuesday to test Balmoral’s Engines and Auxiliaries.