On Good Friday the 4 main engines were started, clutches engaged, propellers turned and about 20% ‘ahead pitch’ applied.
This test was called ‘basin trials’. On the morning of the tests the engineering crew started work at 3 am and were finished for breakfast at
8 am. This was such a major milestone that the whole department went out for a celebratory cooked breakfast in South Shields.
The ship, from a main machinery point of view, is now at about 90% completion.
Extensive trials were carried out on the harbour generators. These are the engines that will power the whole ship when she is operating as a hospital in Africa. These are now fully commissioned.
Last week the bow thrusters were started for the first time in 7 years. That was the last major piece of machinery to run. Unlike the Anastasis, this will allow the manoeuvring and docking of the ship unaided (without tugs).
Still to be done:
- Completing of survey reports
- Crew training
- The writing of machinery operational procedures
- Inclining experiment (to check the stability of the ship after all the major changes)
- Fire main system
- Incinerator survey and commissioning
- OWS (Oily Water Separator) to pass survey
- Approximately two days of sea trials
The loading of fuel and lube oil
The Chief Engineer of 4 years — Alphonse Abraham, left the ship in January after completing his commitment. Since then we have had 3 temporary Chief Engineer’s each of them new to the ship. This has meant extra pressure on Andy as he is the Engineer with the most knowledge and experience of the ship. He has worked long hours during this time familiarising each new Chief, whilst continuing to organise the daily Engineering work schedule, working with the BV (Bureau Veritas) Surveyor, Shipyard Commissioning Manager & various Sub-Contractors. Over the remaining few months Andy plans to push on with completing the last two subjects of his Chief Engineer’s License
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