The three-masted, steel-hulled clipper Stad Amsterdam undergoes a complete overhaul at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, the Netherlands. The revision of the thirteen year old vessel will give it a "second youth". The work will be finished before the end of May 2013.
At the moment the clipper is already at the yard and all interiors have been removed, including the boarding of the accommodation. All technical equipment will get a complete overhaul or will be replaced if necessary. In addition, the clipper's standing rigging will be renewed.
Radical Revamp
The clipper Stad Amsterdam, jointly owned by the city of Amsterdam and HR agency Randstad, has been used extremely intensive since its commissioning almost thirteen years ago, explains Roland Berendsen, managing director of shipping company Clipper Stad Amsterdam. 'The vessel sails without interruption 365 days a year over the oceans. Sea, sun, salt and wind have left their traces. Next to an annual regular maintenance period, we have chosen one big, radical revamp giving the vessel a second youth. Hereafter, it sails again for ten to fifteen years.'
Thirteen years ago Damen was closely involved in the finishing of the clipper, delivering the hull at its yard Oranjewerf in Amsterdam.
Scope of Work
The removal of the clipper’s interior has already resulted in 175 ton of waste. The 123 ton of ballast lead will be taken off the ship as well. Then the hull is blasted en conserved and some of the hull sheets will be renewed.
In the next phase the clipper is loaded on a barge, lifted out of the water and is placed in the production hall. There the reconstruction will start, including the renewal of almost all pipes and wiring. At the same time, the superstructure's boarding will be renewed. Originally, the boarding were glued on the superstructure, but that has caused difficulty with maintenance. The new boarding will be mounted with some clearance onto the superstructure for proper ventilation.
During the revamp only the three steel lower masts will stay in place. The top masts and spars will be removed, maintained and replaced. All standing rigging wires will be renewed. The navigation bridge and Chartroom is redesigned and gets the latest equipment. Below deck crew mess and office are redesigned as well. Extra storage will be created by redesigning two cabins.
Ready in May
The renewed Clipper Stad Amsterdam will make sea trials mid May 2013, according to planning. On June 1st the vessel will set sail for Rouen, France.
