Dry Dock Project Report03 Jun
Throughout the Victoria Day a group of volunteers worked at the dry dock to get the ship ready for the season. We thank dearly everyone who made time to stop by and help us with this demanding work.
Paul Dennis, President, reports that Playfair had left dry dock on Tuesday, May 25, and is back in Marina Quay West. In the end of the project, Playfair’s 5 year Transport Canada inspection was successfully completed, some steel was replaced and some other retrofit items and basic maintenance completed.
As usual, there is more that needs to be done with more time and funds but for now, we are satisfied with the results of this year’s dry dock initiative. In addition to all the work on the mechanical systems and hull, Playfair was given brand new coats of paint topsides and bottom. She looks really great!!
Here is a thank-you note from Paul:
Congratulations definitely go out to Rhys Weed who coordinated the effort and who has worked tirelessly on this project for the last three weeks while Playfair was in dry dock and many weeks before that planning the details. This project would not have been possible without his dedication and hard work. Rhys received assistance from many volunteers who responded to our call for help and donated their time and skills during the day, in the evenings and on the weekends to get Playfair back in the water.
They are (in no specific order and I apologize if I missed anyone):
Evan Dubblestyne – Rhys meet Evan on a training course at Georgian College in January. Evan has recently graduated with a Marine Engineers degree and volunteered to come down and work with Rhys for an entire week on various mechanical issues
Harry Slade – son of Amanda Slade, alumni and supporter of Brigs. Harry volunteered for most days Playfair was in dry dock contributing over 100 hours of quality work!
Rosie Neale – alumna (Executive Officer) and TBI stalwart
Ashleigh Malone – board member who worked the entire long weekend and more
Anna Mayberry – alumna (Executive Officer) and TBI stalwart
Eva H-D – alumna and good friend of the organization
The Weeds – Kezia (alumna), Joan and Jeff who are always willing to help out
Nancy Dillion – friend and a Weed associate
Liz Greflund – friend
Ben Dennis – alumnus
Ghislain Cote and friend from Montreal who are hoping to start their own Tall Ship program and wanted to come down and help out and learn about our program
Emma Mu – alumna
Jeremy White – alumnus, Board member and Chair of the STOP committee
In addition to our volunteers (and again I apologize if I missed anyone), I would like to recognize all of the Officers who put in many hours after school and on the weekends to help. Special recognition goes to Theo Tsagaris and Riley King, TBI’s Executive Officers, who really displayed true leadership and dedication by putting in a phenomenal number of hours working on Playfair and coordinating the efforts of the other Officers.
Finally, I would like to thank Eric Rogers and his team at Toronto Dry Dock, Gord Sloan and Julian Cloutier who stuck with us throughout the project and Mark Nye and Nye Manufacturing who donated a welder, Jack (sorry Jack missed your last name), for an entire week (Mark’s son is an Officer in the program). Without their support, skill and hard work the plate work would not have been completed so well.
As with all things Brigs, in the end, our dry dock success this year was defined by a collection of individuals who displayed a determined commitment for the Programs and great love of the vessels and seamanship.
Thanks everyone for your continued support.
Paul Dennis
