2018 Trips | Wye Invader

Last job in 2018

03.01.2019 written by: Frank Barton

The following week came and went and when we had finally removed all the bitumen from the waterline down to the baseplate, all we had to do was sand the hull and wire brush any area that still had rust and bitumen on. By the weekend of 29th and 30th December we had completed ¾ of the left side and ½ of the right side and applied the first paint to those areas.

Weather permitting, the first weekend of 2019 should see the hull in paint and the start of the 2nd coat being applied with the base plate still to complete.

Repainting the Hull

13.12.2018 written by: Frank Barton

When Wye Invader Two was lifted out the water a few weeks ago, the hull was pressure-washed to remove the mud and river life in general that had accumulated. What soon became clear was, for whatever reason, the bitumen that had been applied 2 years ago and the touch-up that had been applied in May 2018, had not bonded properly to the lower part of the hull, the part that was below the waterline.

Winter Maintenance 2018/9

27.11.2018 written by: Frank Barton

29th October - Wye Invader Two passes through the Sharpness Dock Bridge to join the queue waiting for lift out on to the hard standing.
14th November - she’s lifted out on to hard standing.

List of Jobs for Winter period 2018/19:

Looking Back....and Forward.

26.11.2018 written by: Frank Barton

Remembrance Sunday, has special significance for me for 2 reasons, not only to remember the family, friends and colleagues who’ve fallen in service to their Country but this year Remembrance Sunday is 29 years since I sailed Wye Invader into the history of the River Wye as the largest vessel ever to navigate the River Wye as far upstream as Hereford.

Into the Washing Machine!

12.11.2018 written by: Frank Barton

or that's how it seemed at the time!

On a Sunday evening in early October I was considering a trip to Portishead with Wye Invader Two, I watched the 10pm BBC Weather for the coming week, a small high pressure was forecast for Wednesday the 3rd, Thursday 4th and Friday 5th October, an online check gave me the wind speed at a gentle breeze of 5 to 10 Knots, Andy who helps out as crew and looks after any filming was not available at a short notice so a trip out on Wye Invader Two was down to me alone.