Each year the dry dock is a very particular period, and 2017 was especially ambitious, exciting and demanding.
Ambitious because in addition to the normal work: general cleaning, fumigation, inventories, checking and renewing basic equipment (cutlery, furniture, dive gear, bedding, etc.) without going into each nut or bolt, but almost. (There are 40 tons of bolts on WAOW) we also took on important work to ensure and improve service, security and the beautify of the vessel.
After 5 years of service the two main engines have been given a complete overhaul. Don't forget that we are one of the rare boats with the benefits of two marine engines (500hp each) purchased new providing safety of navigation and punctuality for the logistics of the cruises.
Motor dismantled-being serviced-overhauled
With more experience, last year, we replaced one of our generators and have gone ahead and changed the second one this year. This guarantees the provisioning of electricity and has once and for all fixed our "beginners error" from the construction stage, where we should have done the same as the main engines, and put new ones in.
We rebuilt and improved our cold room to bring more fresh products and still ensure an optimal preservation. Our Chef will so continue to optimize the delicious cuisine which is served to you onboard.
The two shafts and props were removed and serviced to remove a slight vibration susceptible to trouble the tranquillity of the passengers.
Propeller maintenance - Drive shaft - New shaft
Our legendary carpenter Aliman, and he alone, remade the boarding ladder and platform destroyed by a rough wave last April. It was also he who temporarily fixed the problem at the time with what was available onboard, which ended up easily seeing out the season in any case. Admire his work.
New boarding ladder and Alirman, our carpenter
As with every year we have sanded the hull and redone the caulking, new anti-fouling and new paint. At the same time we have sanded, oiled and varnished all the walls both inside and out. This was for the pure aesthetic pleasure, due to the fact that the iron wood of these walls darkens in time and loses its beautiful brown-orange original colour.
Shells removed - Caulking - Sanding - Painting
For the pleasure of the eyes and also for water tightness, we have changed and sanded the teak deck and planks that needed it.
Service of teak decks
Sanding and oiling of interior and exterior
After 5 years being exposed to the elements we are going to change the sails, The old ones will be recycled into bags, hats and other merchandise with the WAOW logo added.
I would like to thank the entire crew that were involved in this massive task because we knew from the beginning it was going to be tough. The crew worked day and night, due to dock delays, in polluted hot conditions within the port of Madura.
In the end, as with all of us, we are sure you will be very happy to re-find yourself onboard WAOW very soon.
Michel Deville