5th January 2017 – While sailing to Bruges with the Tordino, just passed Dordrecht, we noticed the Aquarel being towed. The new owner will sandblast the hull in Dordrecht before towing her to Zaandam.
Author: frederic - page 105
5th January 2017 – The second day started in Vreeswijk and ended in Evergem, Belgium.
4th January 2017 – Just a few pictures from the first part of the journey:
This is also the day where I lost several baskets for my ropes, a gangway, ropes and much more. There was 8 Beaufort wind on the IJselmeer and 9 Beaufort wind on the Markermeer. The power supply of the lorry for the hatches broke and felt in the water, causing the generator to stop working. A serious nightmare! Thanks to a skipper that had to be home because he had an argument with his wife.
3rd January 2017 – We arrived late in the evening aboard the Tordino. After a good meal and a few drinks we all went to bed, to wake up, a little later when another ship hit us. Earlier that day, the yard had launched a ship, but they forgot to put ropes around her so she wouldn’t drift. Besides hitting our ship, and probably a few more on her way, she took a little tjalk with her as well…
She was stopped at the end of the canal, when she became stuck, bow to stern between other ships. I just hoped they would tow her away so we could leave the next day. One thing is for sure, they are amateurs!
28th December 2016 – Another drive to Leeuwarden. The car was filled with food, tools and paperwork. Most stuff is needed for the journey somewhere next week.
19th December 2016 – A few more hours and all the repairs were finished. Only on one repair, I was standing inside the ship. A pipe for the gray water was to thin. It was a new pipe, but pipes should be at least 6mm.
17th December 2016 – Another day of work at the yard. They believe the job can be done in three days.
16th December 2016 – Doing the repairs. The yard did the welding while I was the lookout in case there would be fire. Since most of the ship was built with the idea of welding in the hull, there was no risk of having a fire. Therefore, I decided to watch the welders and learn…
13th December 2016 – The surveyor came from Holland and did a check on the hull. The tunnel of the shaft needed doubling plates and a few old pipes had to be sealed. Not bad for a 100 year old ship!
12th December 2016 – She was dry docked today. It took us a lot of effort to get her near the slipway. Once she was out of the water, the yard started cleaning the hull for the survey.
10th December 2016 – The Aquarel was pushed to the yard with a small tug. The engine is still not fixed and part of the deal to acquire the Tordino is a yard visit for the old lady. She is 100 years old! It took us six hours to get from Beernem to Zelzate.
5th November 2016 – The weather wasn’t right to do much. I painted the gangway and front deck. Sadly enough, it wasn’t a success, since it started raining once I was finished. It will certainly need a second coat. Most likely, next year!
1st November 2016 – Time to work again! I continued cleaning the deck with a high pressure machine. It took me all day to do both sides. A lot of paint is gone, but you notice she is looking cleaner.
30th October 2016 – I took my high pressure cleaning machine and started cleaning the decks of the Aquarel. After four hours, I was totally wet and cold. I was able to clean the deck and remove some loose paint.
28th October 2016 – One day of not working, just relaxing and driving to Leeuwarden to see some ships.
On the way back, I stopped on the afsluitdijk and sat there for some time. Some parts in the Netherlands are extremely beautiful!
