This summer - I had the chance to survey a 102 year young PNW tug..here are some of my comments regarding the underbody and fastenings.......
The following Observations and or Non-Standard Conditions were noted at the time of survey:
The vessel has been maintained and presentable with the machinery space generally accessible and clean.
Hull top-sides, foredeck, and interior appear to be in very good - serviceable condition and structurally sound (given the survey limitations as mentioned herein) with no evidence of grounding, or other damage and or structural failure except as follows.
- No surface rot fungi was visually observed or detected elsewhere that otherwise described herein.
- The vessel’s underbody and fasteners were inspected and the following findings were made. The vessel’s underbody appeared to be fair to the eye. The fir carvel planking appears to be sound with no significant softness or weakness detected. The planking is reported to be two (2) inches thick. Several “newer” planks were observed (most notably along the waterline). It should be noted that a new plank was hung on of the starboard quarter, at and above the waterline which replaced an impact damaged plank (May 2008). The seams - butts visually appear to be tight and stable. Seam compound varies from Portland cement to other compounds which appear to be serviceable. It should be noted that the undersigned examined the underbody after been freshly coated with bottom paint. The underbody, topsides, and guard have been abraded from use as a tug – log tender. The guard is in generally good condition, with localized damage and soft-wood (rot fungi) amidships on the starboard beam, at the stern (including the wasted steel band), and forward on the port bow. Mr Hill has indicated that repair to the guard is on-going. The undersigned inspected hull fasteners (galvanized steel nails - 1/4” X 4”) taken from the vessel’s underbody near the waterline. Each fastener was visually examined for overall condition – wastage and determined them to be in generally serviceable condition with obvious wastage consistent with the age of the vessel. On a future, convenient haul out, additional hull fasteners should be opened up and renew any fastenings with excessive corrosion and or wastage. In addition, keel and other structural fasteners should be inspected and replaced as required. Inspection of steel – iron fasteners, especially aft in the cant body showed various degrees of minor to moderate wastage and should factored into the vessel’s regular maintenance - repair schedule. Given the vessel’s age and years of tug service and present good - serviceable condition, a reasonable assumption would be that the hull was maintained and repaired as required – but never-the-less, the condition of the fasteners should be determined. Information gained from regular fastener inspection can be factored into the vessel’s regular maintenance schedule to ensure seaworthiness.
- The vessel’s keel bolts, where accessible in the bilge and machinery space, were visually inspected and hammer punched – filed to observe the condition of the underlying material. The vessel’s keel bolts were determined to be in generally serviceable condition pending a more complete examination.
- Where accessible the floor timbers, keelson(s), stern timbers, carlins, and deck beams were visually inspected and found to be serviceable and stable. The keel is fair with various areas of abrasion.
- It was observed that the plywood decking have been replaced on the aft work deck.
- The frame heads could not be inspected due to inaccessibility at the bulwarks.
- All hull and structural fasteners should be routinely inspected and replaced as required as part of the vessel’s regular maintenance program.
- Most aft in the interior of the hull, years of fresh water ingress and stagnate air has produced localized soft and weakened wood. This is particularly true in the heel ends of the frames (and futtcoks) and longitudinal(s) near the stern. In addition, steel reinforcement pieces and knees show varying degrees of wastage and should be kept painted and or replaced as required. Mr Hill has advised the undersigned that he has been needle gunning the vessel’s various steel structural fittings and will shortly apply a marine-grade protective coating. The undersigned recommends that a positive air circulation system be installed to maintain good air flow through the vessel.
- It was observed by the undersigned that localized electrical current activity in the vessel’s interior wood structure(s) has produced of sodium hydroxide at various steel fastenings. The undersigned advised ownership to clean affected areas with a wire brush - vacuum clean and treat with white vinegar. In addition, penetrating epoxy could be applied as well to stabilize affected area(s).
- The steel support structure and retaining bands for the fuel tanks need to be cleaned free of rust and repainted with a marine grade metal paint. Any and all wasted steel fixtures or fasteners must be replaced to properly contain tankage.
- Soft and weakened wood was observed in the after edge and outboard – portside of the pilot house roof top and should be repaired using marine grade wood and protected in order to maintain structural integrity and maintain cosmetic appearance. This statement also applies to a small area of the soft wood found on the top plate (outboard at the overhead) of the engine house on the starboard side.
- Most forward in the forepeak, a large steel water tank made precluded good accessibility and prevented a thorough inspection of the stem and related structures.
- The painted surfaces on the topsides have been freshly coated with marine-grade paint which ensures proper cosmetic appearance and provides protection against the marine environment.
The vessel has been maintained and presentable with the machinery space generally accessible and clean.
Hull top-sides, foredeck, and interior appear to be in very good - serviceable condition and structurally sound (given the survey limitations as mentioned herein) with no evidence of grounding, or other damage and or structural failure except as follows.
- No surface rot fungi was visually observed or detected elsewhere that otherwise described herein.
- The vessel’s underbody and fasteners were inspected and the following findings were made. The vessel’s underbody appeared to be fair to the eye. The fir carvel planking appears to be sound with no significant softness or weakness detected. The planking is reported to be two (2) inches thick. Several “newer” planks were observed (most notably along the waterline). It should be noted that a new plank was hung on of the starboard quarter, at and above the waterline which replaced an impact damaged plank (May 2008). The seams - butts visually appear to be tight and stable. Seam compound varies from Portland cement to other compounds which appear to be serviceable. It should be noted that the undersigned examined the underbody after been freshly coated with bottom paint. The underbody, topsides, and guard have been abraded from use as a tug – log tender. The guard is in generally good condition, with localized damage and soft-wood (rot fungi) amidships on the starboard beam, at the stern (including the wasted steel band), and forward on the port bow. Mr Hill has indicated that repair to the guard is on-going. The undersigned inspected hull fasteners (galvanized steel nails - 1/4” X 4”) taken from the vessel’s underbody near the waterline. Each fastener was visually examined for overall condition – wastage and determined them to be in generally serviceable condition with obvious wastage consistent with the age of the vessel. On a future, convenient haul out, additional hull fasteners should be opened up and renew any fastenings with excessive corrosion and or wastage. In addition, keel and other structural fasteners should be inspected and replaced as required. Inspection of steel – iron fasteners, especially aft in the cant body showed various degrees of minor to moderate wastage and should factored into the vessel’s regular maintenance - repair schedule. Given the vessel’s age and years of tug service and present good - serviceable condition, a reasonable assumption would be that the hull was maintained and repaired as required – but never-the-less, the condition of the fasteners should be determined. Information gained from regular fastener inspection can be factored into the vessel’s regular maintenance schedule to ensure seaworthiness.
- The vessel’s keel bolts, where accessible in the bilge and machinery space, were visually inspected and hammer punched – filed to observe the condition of the underlying material. The vessel’s keel bolts were determined to be in generally serviceable condition pending a more complete examination.
- Where accessible the floor timbers, keelson(s), stern timbers, carlins, and deck beams were visually inspected and found to be serviceable and stable. The keel is fair with various areas of abrasion.
- It was observed that the plywood decking have been replaced on the aft work deck.
- The frame heads could not be inspected due to inaccessibility at the bulwarks.
- All hull and structural fasteners should be routinely inspected and replaced as required as part of the vessel’s regular maintenance program.
- Most aft in the interior of the hull, years of fresh water ingress and stagnate air has produced localized soft and weakened wood. This is particularly true in the heel ends of the frames (and futtcoks) and longitudinal(s) near the stern. In addition, steel reinforcement pieces and knees show varying degrees of wastage and should be kept painted and or replaced as required. Mr Hill has advised the undersigned that he has been needle gunning the vessel’s various steel structural fittings and will shortly apply a marine-grade protective coating. The undersigned recommends that a positive air circulation system be installed to maintain good air flow through the vessel.
- It was observed by the undersigned that localized electrical current activity in the vessel’s interior wood structure(s) has produced of sodium hydroxide at various steel fastenings. The undersigned advised ownership to clean affected areas with a wire brush - vacuum clean and treat with white vinegar. In addition, penetrating epoxy could be applied as well to stabilize affected area(s).
- The steel support structure and retaining bands for the fuel tanks need to be cleaned free of rust and repainted with a marine grade metal paint. Any and all wasted steel fixtures or fasteners must be replaced to properly contain tankage.
- Soft and weakened wood was observed in the after edge and outboard – portside of the pilot house roof top and should be repaired using marine grade wood and protected in order to maintain structural integrity and maintain cosmetic appearance. This statement also applies to a small area of the soft wood found on the top plate (outboard at the overhead) of the engine house on the starboard side.
- Most forward in the forepeak, a large steel water tank made precluded good accessibility and prevented a thorough inspection of the stem and related structures.
- The painted surfaces on the topsides have been freshly coated with marine-grade paint which ensures proper cosmetic appearance and provides protection against the marine environment.
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