FERRY MADONNA PROGRESS REPORT - 14.0

No artsy Chamber of Commerce shoreline photo; just the opposite.
High lake levels plus settling of dock fill require a means of
warding off ice shoving beneath the loading ramp structure.
In order to protect hydraulic lines and rams, 30-ft. H-beams were
driven inside the line of dock sheeting.  Several beams were then
stacked, and welded, to take the brunt of ice pressure.  This is the
south loading ramp at the Island ferry dock.  (Purinton photo)

Death's Door Marine backhoe next to the old ferry office.  
Steel pipe and H-beams in the adjacent lot await improving 
the dock structure and mooring pilings.  (Purinton photo)

Detroit Harbor, Washington Island -

The title of this blog refers to construction progress on our new ferry at the Fincantieri  Bay Shipbuilding facility.  But high water dictates a quick look first at what's happening at our loading ramps.

Mike Kahr with his equipment, along with his helpers and Ferry Line assistance, drove beams down to bedrock just inside the line of steel sheeting, then added some horizontal beams as buffer to ice cakes.  Similar work was also undertaken at Northport, where there is even greater lake swell action and the chance of ice jamming beneath the ramp itself.

At the Island's north ramp, which was installed in 1975 as the first hydraulic, adjustable ramp, several goals are sought.  The floor of the ramp "box" is a concrete mud slab, and it's now under 3-4 feet of water.  While there's not much chance of ice cakes pushing into the slip there, the concrete structure along the bulkhead line gradually settled over the years, along with old wooden cribbing and fill.   And, while the equipment is handy, the ramp will be slightly reoriented, squared up, with new pilings driven along the face to better accommodate mooring tires.   All of this work can be done from shore, at a time when use of the ramp isn't essential.

WHERE DOES THE MADONNA PROJECT STAND?

Anyone taking a drive along North Third Avenue in Sturgeon Bay and past the Bay Shipbuilding facility can still see the Madonna sitting outdoors on blocks.  After the two halves were turned upright and placed together on blocks, and welded as one, the main CAT engines with gears were lowered in place.  Next came a lube oil tank; then the two Northern Lights generators.  The two main deck access holes were then covered, while welding below decks continued.

Late last week, large sections of superstructure were transported outdoors from Bldg. 311 and set in place, and lightly secured, and adjusted for exact placement before being tacked to the main deck.

Starboard side structure to support the upper passenger deck 
is being lifted into position here.  (Rich Ellefson)

Starboard side panel stood upright, in the approximate,
designed location.

What has been happening this past week, then, is the adjustment of the sections, and the trimming of the additional metal from the bottom of each piece.

With the workforce assigned to the Madonna now cut back, at least temporarily, the vessel is scheduled to be moved back indoors next week.   At that point, other trades besides welders and fitters should begin their work.

With several months of winter remaining and lots of work yet to be accomplished, it will be done more efficiently once the vessel is back indoors.

-  Dick Purinton

Upper passenger deck section swung into position 
by the Bay Ship gantry crane.  (Rich Ellefson)

Deck and ship's starboard side sections, joined.  (Rich Ellefson)