Prioritising job list for sailing today...

We didn't manage to get out yesterday.

When we first offered the new foil up to the stub-beam on VESTAS Sailrocket 2 we discovered that their had been an error in the translation of dimensions from design to build. After a short but intense bout of swearing followed by a volley of comms with the UK, we worked out that it wasn't a 'monty'. A solution was resolved that involved a short but sharp 'cut-and-shut' at the foil head. Fortunately we had a spare insert for the big titanium attachment up there and... a big old commercial shipping port just to the East complete with huge sheds full of massive 'line boring' equipment that could accommodate something big and awkward like our foil on their bed. Walvis Bay has so much going for it with regards to our project. Some aspects are just effortless.

THE BOYS AT HYDRO-WELD DID A REAL QUALITY JOB IN QUICK TIME WITH WHAT WAS AN AWKWARD PIECE. THANKS.

So we had all we needed to get the FU corrected in quick time. As annoying as the issue was, in fairness I had been pushing everyone to get this foil built and down here. I make no apolgies as the weather is putting the pressure on the project as a whole. Some times this s*@t happens. I don't like it and am happy how the team responded to resolve it.

We lost a day however we didn't waste a day as there is heaps of other details to follow up on. We probably would have been pushed to get out yesterday and may not have gone anyway. Even now there are heat tents, hacksaws and grinders going in the background. The flourescent lights in the container are dimming to the various electrical demands of the various jobs. It's all go.

Camera-man Ben will have just landed in Jo'burg and will arrive in Walvis around 1430. His introduction to the project will be straight out of the car and into a drysuit. He'll be straight into it literally. Classic.

So today, the plan is to gently get out there and just re-familiarise ourselves with the boat whilst introducing new team members to procedures. I would be happy just to go through a complete run cycle and don't really care how fast we go... if at all. The next few days are all looking lightish after a long run of great days. We will use them to prep the boat fully in all her details. All the toys will be in the pram.

We have to ramp VSR2 up to speed quite quickly although in honesty we will probably have to book the WSSRC (world record council)before we have any idea if the new foil deserves a ratified record attempt. They have to organise things at their end so require a lead time to do so. It's not ideal... but that's simply how it is.

Finally I get to turn the traffic light 'green' on the front page. If anyone of you are wondering about the daily status then do check this indicator. It's very quick and easy for me to change along with a short message. I am doing it as often as I can now. We really want to keep you all informed of what we are up to down here.

Cheers, Paul

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Last Updated ( Friday, 12 October 2012 )