Contractors for Caulking, Painting, then Mechanical are stretching this project out.

 I know - I know... What happened to that "19 Days and counting"?!  

Basically, I'm still counting.  Yes, the "End of the month"-meaning June, is no longer relevant. In fact, based on what our Project Manager is describing, it would be unwise to predict the next "end of the month."

Here's what's been going on since last post over two weeks ago:  Contractors primed her bottom with thinned bottom paint to coat seams and crevices.   Her topsides (above the waterline to the cap rail have been scraped, sanded and repainted.  (They look great!)   That's it.  

Here's what's left to do before the schooner can be returned to the water:  

Complete caulking of isolated seams in spots not yet appropriately sealed. 

Apply final bottom coat below the water line.  Completing this task has become problematic, as the shipwright has been difficult to reach.  It's being resolved.   I'm taking an educated guess that this will be completed early next week.

Set out four sets of dock lines, and stage fenders on appropriate side.  Since there is no crew aboard, and volunteers are two hours or more away, the shipyard will likely provide the manpower for handling lines.  

You recall from our log of Spirit of South Carolina's arrival here, that she had no power and was towed in and pushed into a slip by shipyard tugs.  She's still in that status and will require shipyard tugs to get her out of the lift platform and over to her assigned dock. Shipyard crew will get her tied up again for the last phase of her stay.  Business is slowing down in the shipyard, so this could happen within days of her bottom coat being cured.

Here's what I understand needs to be completed while at the dock:   

Her entire bank of batteries will be replaced.  Most or all are original installations and at end of life, so this was not an unexpected project.  

 The Project Manager is engaging a team versed in the ship's systems, to resolve some electrical issues in battery charging, and replace the Inverter. 

The Control Circuit board which Volunteers Craig Scott and Doug Hartley diagnosed, will be replaced.

Hook up hoses, and electrical connections to replacement aft cabin macerator. 

Volunteer Layne Carver installing his new top for the deck tool locker.

A Delivery Captain and Crew have yet to be acquired for the return to Charleston.

Based on the recent experience in this shipyard, my guess is, I don't expect these projects to be complete before 6 August. Who knows? We might see a compression of wait times between contractors and be out of here a couple weeks earlier.

 forever hopeful.

I'm campaigning for the boarding of four volunteers to help bring her back to Charleston. Circumstances are somewhat different from the outbound delivery. I'll press the case as a good training experience and help for the delivery crew.

Better News: Meanwhile, back in town, Mr. Tommy Baker will be convening the Board of Directors in early August to hear a presentation by a team led by our own Volunteer, Dani Feerst; She has built an alliance with the Aquarium and International African American Museum around a well-researched business plan to bring Spirit of South Carolina back to a sustainable program.