Life in boatyard

I remember when I drove one of those big wapko trucks in a coal mine in Tumbler Ridge as one of my summer jobs while going to university. I was not built for those trucks so I sat on a large phone book in order to be high enough to see over the steering wheel. When I stood by the truck wheel I barely reached the midpoint - the trucks were that big. The job was pretty monotonous - driving the truck to a shovel to be loaded with coal or waste and then driving it to an area to be dumped. The more loads you could complete per 12 hour shift, the better. I was one of the few females working there and had to prove myself in my driving skills and withstanding the subtle and not so subtle misogyny often found in tough work and resource extraction environments. It was definitely a man’s world. It was also very dirty. It would take days before my sinuses were clear of coal dust no matter how much protection I wore.

Boatyards such as the one we are at right now in Sidney have their own particular intensity and I would say similarities.

Sputnik was lifted out of the water by an adept team operating a travel lift almost 3 weeks ago. Here we could to perform a long list of necessary tasks that could only be completed on land. And from that moment, we have been immersed in such a different world. It is intense in the busyness of various technicians and workers doing their work, mixed with the hopes and dreams of boat owners all tending to their various lists. There is machinery operating almost non-stop from lifts and small vehicles moving jack stands, power washers, grinders, polishers, compressors for various tools. There is the very worst of 70s and 80s rock pop blasting from neighbouring boats and at all the marine and hardware stores I have to run errands to to pick up specific bolts, marine paint, hose fittings, etc. (I admit I am biased against all the music I listened to repeatedly as a young adult and have no need to listen to again). It is also a very male world with few females. It is intensely loud, and very dirty from grinding, steel, fibreglass and paint dust, gravel. It is smelly from paint fumes. It’s a full on filthy experience like nothing I have experienced since perhaps working at a that summer coal mine job. A shower at the end of the day is a godsend. The other relief is the quiet from the relentless machinery.

The boatyard world brings stress and drama I did not expect. The dismay at finding corrosion on the hull in multiple places, having it spot welded and then finding spots you missed. Having the welder come back again and then a day later finding more pits. Questioning our lack of knowledge or rigour in steel boat maintenance and paying dearly for our mistakes.

We keep asking ourselves what we have gotten ourselves into and whether we have what it takes. And is our boat going to be fit enough to sail the oceans? Because the misses can be far more consequential as our lives depend on the soundness of this little vessel and the resilience of the crew. Every day we ride the roller coaster of emotions of doubt, dismay, hope.

At this point, Sputnik is our master and requires is us to adhere to long days of work. Maybe tomorrow we can launch? That is the hope! Stay tuned friends!