18-19 March, 22-26 March, Now we are getting somewhere

The high water is over and things are back to more normal with a lot of progress being made. Lepi completed number 3 compartment. Number 2 was completed except for final washdown which is occurring this morning. They will start on number 1 today and expect it to be completed by the end of this week.

The remaining small repairs in number 6 were completed. There was a repair in number 5 starboard center bulkhead at the after transverse bulkhead where there was a set-up. There are two other significant set-ups on that bulkhead forward which will addressed when the replating is done there.

The first plate to go up was a transerse plate on the stern starting just forward of the forward bulkhead of compartment number 6, extending 8 feet aft, and extending from knuckle to kuckle. The WOUB group was down for the first weld on Thursday afternoon, the 25th. The transvere plate is not yet fully welded but is tacked in place enough to show a good fit up. A side plate on each side of the stern have been fitted up to the original plate which was ultrasonically tested and found to be thick enough for a butt weld which will give a better looking appearance.

The angles for the Z-bar replacement in number 4 outboard compartments have been delivered and are on the platen for assembly. The placment of the longitudinal plates on the stern have been worked out and progress is being made to fit them up.

Number 4 compartment frames and bulkheads are pretty much dressed up and will be ready for the big plate shortly. However, the Z-bar replacement as well as some bulkhead and gussett repairs will have to be accomplished. The protocol for these repairs has not yet be worked out.