1. Aerial Assault – A Grand Bahama Shipyard Perspective
Welcome to Grand Bahama Shipyard on the coast of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas. This is
a testing ground for Aerial lift equipment, a stressful environment, filled with dangerous tools,
hazardous materials, large heavy objects and primarily foreign workers.
One of the main components to ship refurbishment and enhancement is the aerial lift.
Currently, the yard uses everything from small self propelled scissor lifts like the JLG 2033E all
the way up to the JLG 1200SJ. The facilities main focus of cleaning, painting, refab & structural
works utilize - JLG 600S, 800S, 80HX, 1200SJ and 33RTS.
The yard operates 24 hours a day, roughly 363 days a year, in three shifts. The only exception
being (no work) which is infrequent or Hurricanes, also infrequent. Recently Hurricane Matthew
did little damage to the facility but the city of Freeport was severally impacted. A Go-Fund
account has been established to assist those affected who are finically challenged.
Please consider donating:
GoFund –
https://www.gofundme.com/grandbahamasrelief
2. Grand Bahama Shipyard Limited
A world leader in dry-docking and afloat repairs, refits,
refurbishments and revitalizations.
Grand Bahama Shipyard Limited accommodates vessels from the Cruise, Commercial and Off Shore segments of the Maritime
Industry.
The Yard has three dry docks, capable of docking vessels up to 82,500 tonnes, a pier and a deep water wharf, over 300 m in
length and is strategically located in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, approximately 100 miles east of Miami, Florida along
all the major shipping routes. www.grandbahamashipyard.com
CERTIFICATIONS: OHSAS 18001 / ISO 14001 / ISO 9001 / I.S.P.S. / GTT APPROVED
4. The Process & Equipment
This is a standard rental pressure washer. This unit produces 4,000 Psi of water pressure to
perform works such as cleaning a sidewalk, a roof, prep work for painting, etc. The unit has a
13hp Honda or equivalent engine and is feed through a standard garden hose.
It is operated by utilizing a pressure spray wand, like the one below.
In ship refurbishment, as with house or commercial property refurbishment, cleaning is
necessary prior to painting of the structure, a large ship in this case. However, that is where the
similarities end.
To efficiently clean and prepare those monster transportation vessels of the sea, something a
little stronger is required. About 10 times stronger in fact, 40,000 Psi of high-pressure, water
emaciating and macerating the ships rugged exterior.
