Sunbeam Updater – Captain Says, “Progress is Being Made”

Sunbeam Updater – Captain Says, “Progress is Being Made”

BAR HARBOR, ME — Over the weekend, Sunbeam V Captain Michael Johnson sent photo updates on the boat’s routine major refit:

The final coat of epoxy has been applied and new bilge plumbing is being installed in the accommodation section. The floor will hopefully be fitted next week. Progress is being made!

John Armstrong is responsible for all the sandblasting on the Sunbeam V — an extensive and difficult job.  When John emerges from the bilge with his suit and helmet the boat could be mistaken for Sunbeam XV being serviced at a Starfleet facility.

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The ‘Sunbeam V’ Re-fit is in Good Hands

The ‘Sunbeam V’ Re-fit is in Good Hands

L-R:  Jason Loring – Lead Systems Mechanic, Graham Fitch – Project Manager, Griffin Bartlett – Systems Mechanic

BELFAST, ME — Monday, August 19 at Front Street Shipyard.  Three of the “regulars” on the Sunbeam V:

“It is such a pleasure working with this crew,” said Sunbeam V Captain Mike Johnson. “They are not only knowledgeable in their fields, but always speak up when they see a better or less expensive way to complete a project.”

Sunbeam Refit Update – Captain Loses a Shower, Steward Gains a Freezer

Sunbeam Refit Update – Captain Loses a Shower, Steward Gains a Freezer

BELFAST, ME — Thank you, Captain Michael Johnson for keeping us up-to-speed, through words and photos, of progress on the Sunbeam refit.

The shower on the Sunbeam upper level, used only by me, is being removed. Two showers on a smallish boat are not necessary. This area will be repurposed into a closet with an upright freezer so Jillian, the Sunbeam Steward, will not have to leave the main deck for anything other than sleep. The blue tape shows the general outline of the freezer. This new configuration will also improve traffic flow in the forward hallway.

This area behind the pilot house is the re-vamped ventilation inlet for the lower cabins. This will allow better airflow to the lower deck areas with increased crew comfort in summer. The installed fan will be variable speed and reversible. Combined with open portholes we can quickly cool the cabins on hot days.

Removed 50 kw and 30 kw generators. These are being replaced more smaller, more fuel efficient and quieter units.

Learn more about the Sunbeam V, crew, and their work among Maine unbridged islands.

‘Sunbeam V’ Refit – Forward Hull Steel Looks Like New

‘Sunbeam V’ Refit – Forward Hull Steel Looks Like New

Fri 7/19/2019 6:35 PM

BAR HARBOR, ME — These are the first shots of the forward hull area that have been sandblasted and re-coated.

All that rust that we saw in previous pictures is gone and the steel looks like new.  Ready for another 25 years!

Sunbeam V’ Captain Michael Johnson

‘Sunbeam V’ Lifted Out of Water; Begins Routine Major Refit

‘Sunbeam V’ Lifted Out of Water; Begins Routine Major Refit

NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Captain Michael Johnson sent this photo with a note: “I always think of the Sunbeam as being a decent sized vessel, but she is dwarfed by Front Street Shipyard’s lift.”

The Sunbeam is having a routine major refit. It is scheduled to be back in Mission service by Christmas 2019.

Meanwhile, the Sunbeam crew will keep up their island work aboard the new Moonbeam and on airplanes.

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