by cabin boy » August 21, 2010, 9:29 am
Usually, after making the lay-up dock and securing the vessel to the dock (put out anchors to the dock, extra lines, etc.), the deck crew will secure the deck areas and cabins(put away liferings, cover radars and vents, strip beds, etc) and then leave the vessel in a day or two. They usually can finish quickly.
Not so for the engine dept. It can take ten days to two weeks to lay-up a steam ship and maybe a week to do a diesel. And then there is the winter work that is usually done to most ships. Rebuilds, boiler work, etc. This will be done by a winter work crew which could involve some of the engine crew. This is usually volunteery work, signed up for before the boat hits the dock.
In some cases a shipkeeper will be assigned to the boat to watch over things and do painting, cleaning and such.
Some lucky boats will lay-up at a dock that can supply steam to the boat and keep it warm. Otherwise it is cold with maybe a donkey boiler running for the work crew or just a oil burning or electric heater for the shipkeeper, who usually sets up in the Steward's quarters.
Usually, after making the lay-up dock and securing the vessel to the dock (put out anchors to the dock, extra lines, etc.), the deck crew will secure the deck areas and cabins(put away liferings, cover radars and vents, strip beds, etc) and then leave the vessel in a day or two. They usually can finish quickly.
Not so for the engine dept. It can take ten days to two weeks to lay-up a steam ship and maybe a week to do a diesel. And then there is the winter work that is usually done to most ships. Rebuilds, boiler work, etc. This will be done by a winter work crew which could involve some of the engine crew. This is usually volunteery work, signed up for before the boat hits the dock.
In some cases a shipkeeper will be assigned to the boat to watch over things and do painting, cleaning and such.
Some lucky boats will lay-up at a dock that can supply steam to the boat and keep it warm. Otherwise it is cold with maybe a donkey boiler running for the work crew or just a oil burning or electric heater for the shipkeeper, who usually sets up in the Steward's quarters.