THE SOUTHERN BELLE RIVERBOAT’S 5-YEAR COAST GUARD HULL INSPECTION: MAINTAINING A 40-YEAR LEGACY OF SAFETY
Every five years, the Southern Belle Riverboat undergoes an essential and rigorous hull inspection mandated by the Coast Guard. This comprehensive process ensures the vessel continues to meet the highest safety standards, reflecting our commitment to passenger security and reliability over the past 40 years. With Chief Engineer and Roger Murphy Award winner Nick Williams leading the charge, our team tackled this year’s inspection with precision and dedication.
Step 1: Lining Up on the Dry Dock
The first and most critical part of the process is correctly positioning the Southern Belle on the dry dock. The weight of the boat must be evenly distributed across several bulkheads to avoid structural strain and potential damage.
Step 2: Initial Hull Check and Cleaning
Once the vessel is safely out of the water, the team conducts an initial visual inspection of the hull to check for any damage. At this stage, we also inspect the propellers and rudders to ensure they’re in good shape and free of chips or cracks. Any fishing lines caught on the shafts are carefully removed to avoid complications.
Step 3: Pressure Washing the Hull
Next, the hull undergoes a powerful pressure wash to clear away marine growth, shells, and grime. This is an important step, as it allows inspectors to clearly view the welds and structural integrity of the hull plates.
Step 4: Cleaning and Inspecting the Sea Chests
The sea chests are vital to the vessel’s water intake system, so they receive special attention. Our team cuts open the sea chests, removes any shell buildup, and cleans them thoroughly. We also inspect the sea chest valve bonnets to ensure the valves are in good condition and not clogged with mussels or debris.
Step 5: Ultrasound Hull Readings
Where necessary, ultrasound equipment is used to measure the hull’s thickness. This step helps identify any areas weakened by corrosion or wear, which could compromise the vessel’s long-term durability.
Step 6: Assessing Necessary Repair
After gathering all inspection data, the team collaborates with the shipyard to determine any required repairs to the hull, sea chests, valves, or any other structural components. This proactive approach ensures the vessel remains in peak condition.
Step 7: Coast Guard Inspection
With the initial work complete, the Coast Guard inspection begins. Their thorough assessment covers:
- The hull, sea chests, propellers, and rudders
- Internal compartments, including the deck, bulkheads, and frames
- Safety-critical areas, ensuring all systems meet federal standards
- Any issues they uncover are promptly addressed by our team.
Step 8: Reassembly and Protection
Once repairs are completed, it’s time to put the boat back together. The sea chest grates are welded back on, and the valves are reassembled. We also install new magnesium anodes, which help protect the hull from corrosion in the water. Finally, the hull is painted, including fresh draft markings to ensure precise depth readings.
Step 9: The Launch
When the Southern Belle returns to the water, the team is on high alert. The launch is a hectic but critical moment as we check for leaks—especially around the sea chest valve bonnets. The generator is started, and the boat is brought online to power the air systems necessary for starting the main engines. We then bleed air from the raw water systems, including the fire pump and air conditioning cooling water.
Step 10: Returning to the River
After verifying that all systems are functioning correctly, the Southern Belle heads back to her home port, ready for another five years of safe operation.
A Team Effort with Special Thanks
This inspection wouldn’t have been possible without the expertise of Nick Williams, our Chief Engineer, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in maintaining our impeccable safety record. His recognition as a Roger Murphy Award winner is a testament to his hard work, and we are incredibly proud to have him on our team.
Maintaining a vessel like the Southern Belle isn’t easy, but our commitment to safety, reliability, and guest satisfaction is what drives us. Thanks to our outstanding crew, we’re ready to continue our legacy and welcome passengers aboard for many more years of unforgettable experiences on the water.