Steph of Ladram PZ 115

Project Details

Waterdance’s beam trawler Steph of Ladram PZ 115 was one of Parkol’s biggest repair projects of 2023.

Vessel arrived on a tow, her main engine, gearbox, propeller and nozzle in need of replacement.

Extensive repair and modification works included:

  • Gaining access for removing machinery by cutting winch house open, cutting out wooden decking on main deck and lifting planking to make a hatch, removing linings and insulation in fishroom deckhead to get access to steel deck, cutting a hatch in the steel deck.
  • Uncoupling the main engine from gearbox, disconnecting engine and gearbox from all pipework, electrics and gear, and lifting ashore.
  • Removing the propeller shaft and cutting out the outer and inner stern tubes from the vessel’s hull. New damper was installed in the main engine exhaust line, new stern tubes installed, aligned and welded up to the hull.
  • Steelwork modifications were made to the gearbox and engine beds to suit new equipment.
  • Existing nozzle, propeller and rudder were removed from the vessel. Extensive keel modifications were carried out in order to add ballast / rebalance the weight of the new equipment and to accommodate the larger nozzle.
  • New 2720mm nozzle and  2700mm diameter fixed pitch 5-blade bronze propeller installed. Existing rudder was reinstalled after rearrangement of its profile and installation of a new rudder gudgeon bearing to nozzle. New anodes installed to nozzle and rudder.
  • After removing parts of deck to allow opening, new Mitsubishi main engine and new gearbox were lifted aboard and installed. The main engine fastened down on the engine bed with new flexible mounts.
  • Floor plates around new engine and gearbox modified and refit, protection plates to running parts of engine fabricated and fit.
  • Materials and equipment dismantled at the beginning of works and saved for re-use, were reinstalled and welded up. Insulation in fishroom and decking made good.
  • New six-drum winch installed and welded down to modified winch bed. New winch casing built. New stainless steel hydraulic pipes installed, wire rollers modified to suit new winch, two extra sheaves installed for the Gilson winches.
  • All the new equipment connected to existing electrics, all systems tested and commissioned, harbour trials and sea trials carried out.

On completion, Steph of Ladram sailed to her home port of Penzance.