20th March 2021 – Day three of moving the ship to Bruges. We left Gorinchem at 7 o’clock in the morning. We disconnected shore power and gave back the connector to the skipper of the Spes who was very helpful lending us one! A small heather did make the difference of sleeping below or above the freezing temperature. A few small bridges, an old lock and then up the big rivers over the Oosterschelde to Hansweert where we made the crossing to Terneuzen and then to Zelzate to sleep for the night.
Category: MS Stad Rotterdam - page 2
19th March 2021 – We left early in the morning in Lemmer. None of us had a good nights sleep. It was cold and it had been freezing outside and likely inside. Anyway, we left on the IJsselmeer with a good wind.
The engine belt around the alternator and waterpump was making more and more noise. It was worn out and the inevitable happened, on the Markermeer it snapped, just when the wind was coming from the wrong side. We called a few ships, but they were all loaded and couldn’t take us alongside. Luckily a tug in the area offered us assistance and towed us into Amsterdam (Schellingwoude). It was so far the most relaxing part of the journey standing in the wheelhouse wit no noise!
The yard had arrived in the meantime to help sorting out a few problems. While on the IJsselmeer we discovered a leak in the hull, but this will be dealt with later. When the alternator needs to give power, it struggles and turns to hard, so the belt gets to much resistance. The alternator is now disconnected and we continued our journey till late in the evening.
We had to catch up the lost time and moored in Gorkum at 22 o’clock. A quick meal and straight to bed!
18th March 2021 – An early start, for the last time driving four hundred kilometers to Franeker. Underway we picked up two friends who would join for the journey. Always take the right people for the right job. People with engine skills and people to have some fun with.
Arriving at the yard, we discovered not much had happened. A few more windows were in position and the generator runs. Not completely as planned. We now need to start her manually, but that is the least of my problems. The distance keepers for Tordino were not ready, while they had promised it. The finished parts were loaded aboard and the other ones will be delivered next week by truck. In the office, the necessary papers were done and we left.
The first maneuver became clear to us that the Stad Rotterdam has no reverse, whats however. The propeller is under water but there is nu tunnel. So from the moment she runs, it takes a lot of air. While the skipper was testing the ship, I was programming the AIS and VHF. I still had some issues with the cables and connectors but managed to get the AIS running. The VHF sometimes works, sometimes not. We have some handheld ones as a spare! Always have a backup plan!
It was a nice trip, bringing back some memories from when we went trough Leeuwarden with the Tordino, now nearly 4 years ago.
We have some issues with the power and the alternator but the technician on board seems to have a logic explanation for everything. Let’s hope he is right.
We moored just outside the lock of Lemmer. There was nothing more then a field of grass and some sheep. After a nice meal and some drinks we all went to bed.
17th March 2021 – We didn’t hear much from the yard and tomorrow we leave. Late in the evening, after calling our self we heard there were issues with the windows and generator. I’m not having trouble sailing with missing windows. I’m more having issues of no power aboard!
16th March 2021 – I have a massive hangover from yesterday. The only thing I did was some shopping for the VHF and AIS. Let’s hope I have the right fittings.
12th March 2021 – We are still nowhere with the paperwork and it is getting harder and harder to get a survey for the one time crossing to Belgium…
6th March 2021 – Another day in Franeker. It is starting to feel heavy. Keeping up with four ships is hard. I’m glad I don’t have to drive every time. Last night we stayed in the B&B in Harlingen again.
Today we did the lettering in the hull, made a blue board (a sign you need when crossing the river), connected the radio and AIS.
3rd March 2021 – We had a survey today for the Stad Rotterdam. It didn’t take long and I only had to clean a few spots for the surveyor. We spent more time driving up and down then we were at the yard.
13th February 2021 – We went to have a look at the ship and did some painting. There is still a lot that needs to be done. It will be impossible to get the deadline. We put some parts in primer and gave others a first coat of colour. Sadly enough not everything was welded so painting these spots were no option. None of us has time next week to come, but they want to move the boat to another hall. The glass for the windows will take another 4 weeks.
24th January 2021 – We could finally start painting with colour. It took us a the whole day but we got very far! Most of the colours were put on, some places were left blank where they still need to weld. We were tire but extremely happy with the result. It might look a bit like a cheap Italian Pizza Restaurant, but at least, it looks well maintained!
23rd January 2021 – A mixed feeling when we arrived. A lot of metalwork has been done and done nicely. But al the other items were not done at all or wrongly done. It was good to know there was a generator aboard, but the engine wasn’t mounted yet. They started messing wit the windows…
On the other hand, I was very positive on the new rudder, a real replica of the original one. The railing on deck was also looking extremely nice. The metal workers on the yard are real professionals!