The Great Commissioning - 26th March 2011

With over 250 friends and volunteers in attendance, the 'Great Commissioning' of TS Resolute was the last and biggest of a series of opening events during the week. The sun shone, the boat was busy, and all went smoothly - we think!

Jon Bennetts

Operational Changes for the new season

As part of the recent commissioning events, the day to day operational duties of 'Resolute' were handed from Norman Doney (Executive Director) and David Edwards (Project Manager) over to Jon Bennetts (Centre Manager).

Official Opening of TS Resolute - 25th March 2011

On 25th March, TS Resolute was officially commissioned. The guest list comprised of local heads of industry, organisations, supporters and contractors - many of whom have helped us with the whole 'new ship project'. The boat was commissioned by Captain John Clink - OBE and former Captain of HMS Ark Royal.

Jon Bennetts

Official commissioning of our Jetty

On 23rd March, friends and family of the late Lord Gregson, met to officially open the new Jetty in his name. As head of the Veolia Trust, Lord Gregson was a keen sailor in his lifetime as well as being a prominent and passionate supporter of British Industry. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone involved in making this such a memorable and significant day.

Jon Bennetts

THE FINAL STRAIGHT

We are all working away at different areas of the ship and around site getting ready for the opening events later this week. If you are planning to come to the Great commissioning on Saturday 26th March, from 1-4pm, please let us know on admin@cye.org.uk.

Works include: Restoration of the assualt course, ship levelling- see plumbline, completion on the platform and steps, deck painting, site tidying, final electrics, snags and Turfing.

The first school group comes on 30th March and then all the fun and mission fulfillment begins!

Solar and ground source energy

Eventually, after much negotiation we have an efficient and discrete Solar Vacuum Tube array on the wheelhouse roof, providing Resolute with hot water at 50 degrees even now. The Ground source heat pump system is also fully installed, and runs to top up when there is insufficient heat from the sun. Solar tubes have been providing hot water for the underfloor heating and domestic use during the day recently. There is a very clever automatic energy management system.

We had a visit from the teams of St Georges House and Fellowship Afloat Christian centresrecently. This was a training conference and here is a picture of a group using the DAY ROOM for a canoeing exam.

We have a commissioning event on 26th March from 1-4pm including buffet lunch, tours and commissioning event at 2.30. Please join us if you can and advise us on admin@cye.org.uk

Norman Doney

PILOT GROUP AND SHIP LEVELLING

Contractors are here this week jetting high pressure water at the mud and clay ledge that is causing Resolute to list a few degrees to port. This needs to be rectified to ensure all the drainage systems operate. They are making inroads and hope to correct the list over the coming weeks, working around the tides.

Last weekend RESOLUTE hosted the first ever residential group of 40 people from "Boiler Room" in Guildford. They had a great weekend and were very positive about the new facilities .

One on the way - three to go

Bore hole drilling commenced today (see rig in corner of the field) and over the next two weeks, three more will be drilled to provide ground source heat for the Ship heating system. Areas of the site are slowly being recovered. Trimline are back completing the snagging list, and by early next Monday all connections will be made, except the heating which will follow in a couple of weeks.

The stern gangplank will be fitted later this week, and the Jetty framework will be ready for the connections to run alongside.

Step by step we are getting close to completion.

The staff and Kogs have been working on the site, slowly recovering areas e.g. turfing the area shown above and proving hard standings for safety boats and at the entrance.

Norman Doney

Executve Director

Ship Photos

JETTY REPAIR UNDER WAY

The jetty repair is the main activity at the moment and you need to make a leap of faith to cross it!

Upcoming programme:

week of 17th January

- Jetty work continues

- drilling of 4x100m boreholes begins - 3 week programme

- Iso enery fit immersion heaters

- Stern gangplank attached
- Staff ground works programme

Week of 24th January

- Trimline return to work on snagging list to complete the ship

- final connections are made for water waste and electricity

First test group arrive on 11th February!

Norman Doney - Executive Director