MADONNA PROJECT: DOWN TO DETAILS - 31.0

Current Madonna appearance from bow
looking aft.  Brass Kahlenberg air horns
are mounted on pilot house.  (all photos
by Rich Ellefson)

Detroit Harbor, Washington Island -

We're in the closing weeks of construction, and the smaller details, every bit as important as the larger ones, take center stage.   Many tradesmen work to complete their checklist of items yet to be accomplished, even as they sometimes compete for work space.

The engine room is one example where a great deal of work is concentrated now, workers coming to and fro, a bit of welding, wiring being run.  The soft patch was lifted onto one of the openings, with two expansion tanks for the generator sets cooling systems already mounted on the underside.

What starts out seeming to be a generous space is soon filled with tanks, motors, venting, wiring and piping.   In the end, it must all not only work, but give reasonable access for servicing down the road. With that in mind, Rich Ellefson has spent each day of the past two weeks at the yard (except for Saturdays and Sundays), following up on details, ensuring best locations for various equipment pieces and their connections.

Many feet of wire yet to be run, for switches, alarms and vital
connection for engine and pump operations.  Battery box
foundations in center of photo.

Stairs leading from engine room to main deck.  Fresh water
pressure tank shown in center.

Workers at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding began wearing masks as of Wednesday, May 6, a feature not always practical or easy to adjust to.   Welders and fitters, who often wear face shields in their work, can wear them as a substitute for cloth masks, helping to maintain moisture-free views of their work.  The shipyard work force remains at a good number, two dozen or more, as various tasks continue at a brisk pace.

Door to Main Deck head.

Sliding door to engine room.

The time table for when work is estimated to be completed for Tasks A,  B, etc., has slipped a bit, and with several details taking more time it now looks as though the finish will be in "mid-June," when the vessel will be ready for delivery.

Insulating finish panel for cabin is cut to
length.

In part, this is also based on our Company decision that we are not in an all-fire hurry to put the vessel in service, and that an overtime push to finish at the original deadline of late May is not necessary.  This  decision is both practical and cost-effective for the builder.

There will always be a few snags beyond anyone's ability to control.  Such is the electric motor from Mexico for a bilge back-up system. The manufacturer's work force is currently held from production by orders based on concerns for the Corona Virus spread.  A second motor will be installed temporarily as a noted deficiency by the U. S. Coast Guard, to be corrected later, so that the vessel can continue with its functions until the new and approved motor arrives weeks or months from now.  That is but one example in the construction flow that the yard, owner, and the inspecting body, U. S. Coast Guard, have coordinated to maintain production.

Soft patch over one of two deck openings (semi-permanent main
engine hatches) is lifted into place. Genset expansion tanks are
    fastened to the underside.

Within two weeks' time, the generators will be lit, with main engines to follow.  At this point, all electrical services are brought to the vessel via Bay Shipbuilding cords and lines.  Once the ship's wiring is completed, service will shift to the Madonna's shore power connection.  As seen in Rich's photos, much work is yet to be done, in particular with the pilot house, where framework is still being assembled for cabinets and finish treatment of the bulkheads.

An insulating, finish panel for cabin is
cut to length.

A peek inside the roughed-in wheelhouse, with much work
yet to be done. 

The fuel tank, with enough capacity for a bulk tanker load of fuel, will first be filled with water to inspect for leaks, but also to mark gauges for accurate measurement of liquid levels.  Once drained of water, the space will be wiped down, cleaned, and topped with diesel fuel.  That activity is still a few weeks down the road.

If all goes well, we will likely look at a date in the week of June 15th for delivery.

-  DIck Purinton