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The steel and aluminium structure of Scillonian IV is now over 95% complete, with all the main hull units fabricated. The cargo hatches, bow bulwark, funnels and radar mast, are all currently under construction in the fabrication workshops.

While the main hull continues to take shape in the building dock, three large mega blocks – MB03, MB05, and the bow megablock are being constructed on the dockside. These blocks, made up of multiple units, have been moved to the dockside to undergo outfitting including piping, ventilation, cable trays, blasting and painting.

MB03 and MB05 will be integrated with the main hull after the installation of  the major components of machinery into the engine room. This is made possible via a ‘soft patch’ – a removable section of deck above the machinery space that allows equipment to be craned into place and welded shut after installation.

So far, the following equipment has been successfully installed:

• Main engines and gearboxes
• Intermediate tailshafts
• Venitlation fans and trunking
• All three generator sets
• Both Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust treatment units
• Sewage treatment and vacuum toilet systems
• Refrigeration units for cold storage
• Air conditioning system
• Domestic hot water tanks (calorifiers) and air receivers

Mounting and alignment of these systems is ongoing.

At the bow, mega block integration is progressing steadily. This block is also being outfitted on the dockside and will be blasted and painted before final integration – scheduled to happen after Menawethan is launched in the autumn, freeing space in the dock.

Substantial progress continues with the manufacture and installation of pipework, cable trays, structural penetrations, and ventilation ducts.

Windows and portholes

Construction of Scillonian IV is progressing well, with all units (excluding the cargo hatches and bow bulwark) either constructed or under construction. Units 21, 22, 14 and 15 form a megablock (the mid parts of the passenger lounges, café, staircase and elevator shaft), for which outfitting is ongoing as well as preparation of the erection joints and seams. This megablock will not be welded to the rest of the hull structure yet, as it will be lifted off to enable installation of the main engines, gearboxes and generators in May.

Other aluminium units, units 24 and 25 – (the upper passenger and entrance foyer) are also fully constructed and erected with integration work ongoing.

The forward hull double bottom and the inner deck of the lower holds (units 8.1 and 8.2) have been fabricated, as has the aft lower and upper holds (units 9 and 17). Units 8.1, 9 and 17 are all erected with integration ongoing.

Units 10, 11, 18 and 19 are all being fabricated in workshops within the Piriou shipyard. The bow and bulbous bow block (unit 10) is a complex hull form with many intersecting curved steel shell plates and internal structures. The largest block unit 4 (which forms the engine room, switchboard room and steering gear room) is split into 2 sections forward and aft. The forward section (4.2) is erected with integration ongoing, the aft section (4.1) is still being fabricated in one of the yard’s workshops. The after section is similarly a complex and interesting hull form with the incline of the bottom and the curvature of the propeller tunnels.

Outfitting work is progressing well, with the installation of stairs, guardrails, mooring equipment, machinery foundations, floorplate supports, electrical preparations, ventilation ducting and piping.

Blasting and painting of tanks and void spaces is also now underway.