This week was a doozy and very eventful to say the least. To sum this week up in one sentence: this week was poop, poop, poop, almost (basically) poop, and almost (basically) poop. As I put in my last blog post on Monday, we took apart the pump for the black water tank (poop). We took the diaphragm off, attached the new diaphragm to the connecting rod and placed silicone around it as per manuals instructions. Overnight the silicone dried and Tuesday morning it was time to reattach the diaphragm and get the head system back up and running. This was a tedious job because we had to ensure the diaphragm was seated properly and did not unseat as we were tightening the bolts. IN the process we also replaced 4 duck bills, 2 before and 2 after the pump. Duck bills are a check valve that are an effective way to stop reverse flow within the system. By the time we finished it was lunch and we were told we could take the rest of the day off as we were closely dealing with poop for far too long.
Wednesday morning, we had a pre-vibrations analysis test performed to measure the vibrations that are given off be the engine when we are full speed ahead. These measurements will them be compared the to the measurements taken after the new engines are installed. This is all measured to ensure the ship can maintain its structural integrity with the new engine. While underway the captain tasked Kyle and I to measure the length of the docking lines because it is not a job that can done while dockside. Later that day after arriving at the dock and tying up, we had to remove the life rafts that way they can be sent out and recertified. To finish the day, we removed ceiling tiles from the mess area to find a path to run Cat 6 wire for a new camera on the starboard side. This is where the third day of poop came into effect. Upon removing a bulkhead to take a ceiling piece off, rodent poop came down too. This delay the task a little bit because it was another mess that we had to clean up. After cleaning up the mess we stopped for the day.
Thursday we were able to run the Cat 6 wire from the tach space up into the dry lab, into the mess then through the ceiling. After this job was completed, we helped the chief engineer put a new check valve into the preexisting hot water pipes. While this job happened, we came to the conclusion that the other hot water heater is not properly working. We had to shut the water off the heater that was having a new check valve added leaving only one heater supplying water, which ended up only being lukewarm, were thinking the heating element might have short. That will end up being another job later in the future. Sone once the check valve was placed, we moved onto the next job, gaining access to the electrical outlet behind the commercial refrigerator. We wanted to be able to plug in an electrical cord to it and run that cord to the toaster that way it is off a different breaker as the microwave and coffee maker because the breaker would always be tripped. In the process of raising the pallet jack to raise the refrigerator, one of the forks caught on a piece of piping that would be used for an ice maker. So, that piece snapped off and water started gushing towards us from under the fridge. The water was quickly shut off by the engineer who managed to hurdle 2 trashcans to get down to the shutoff valve. We dewatered the area and then cut a larger hole in the wall around where the pipe was to be able to cap the existing pipe. After we finished with the pump, we brought it down to the laundry area where the grey water tank (almost poop) overfilled and came out onto the floor and drained into the bilge, creating a nasty smell that rang throughout the boat. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time left in the day to pump the grey water, so it was done the next morning, along with cleaning behind the fridge and placing it back. While pumping the grey water out, the pump got clogged. We were able to take apart the pump, remove the clog, and put it back together. I thought this was a really good learning experience as it was a simple pump to learn from. That was the end to a very chaotic work week.
For the weekend Kyle and I were dedicated to our project that started when we cracked open a coconut. After trying the meat inside and realizing that it was so much better than store bought shredded coconut, we decide to collect 7 more and crack those open as well. We saved the coconut water and puled all the meat from the shell. At this point we were already dedicated on making a coconut cream pie and it would be worth it for the 2-3 hours of work that we already did. We made the coconut milk that is used in it by adding the coconut meat to a blender with the coconut water. The pulp that was formed was pressed and the resulting liquid is coconut milk. If allowed to settle and separate, coconut water would be on the bottom and coconut cream would be on top. Once we got all the ingredients needed to make the pie, I started it and let is chill in the fridge overnight. The coconut cream pie was consumed the next day, as we spent it relaxing by the water.
The process of dewatering the gallery area. Refrigerator is to the left outside of this photo. (Photo creds. Kyle Hebert)
The first coconut that we got inspiration from after trying the meat. And yes, we used a fire axe to crack them open.
Separating the shredded coconut meat from the coconut milk. I was there with a fine strainer pressing all the liquid out. (Photo creds. Kyle Hebert)
On the left, blended coconut meat, once dried it can be put into the food processor to make it finer and is then considered coconut flour. I think coconut chocolate chip cookies are next on the list to make. On the right is the coconut milk and if you look closely the water is separating from the cream. The clearer liquid on the bottom is the coconut water.
The final result of the coconut cream pie. It came out delicious!