Started the main deck planking… work so far.
3mm x 2mm thick Lime wood planking with 0.5mm thick Black ABS caulking.
Updated to show work progress..

Decking given initial sanding and cut out for access to drives created.
Gearboxes refitted to check all is well.
Next stage coaming to be added around access aperture. Coaming added just needs a light sand

Decided to take a break from woodworking and make some deck fittings
First up are the bollard turned parts
16 off required to make 8 double as sketch

Update..

Each bollard is made from two turned components with a hollow bore as per last blog entry, they locate into a machined base plate. The base plate also carries the gusset between the posts, so I’ve cut a 1.5 mm slot between the two bollard holes and made a matching brass strip (3.5 mm × 17 mm) that locks into the bottoms of the bollards. This gives the correct look of the gusset plate on the real tug.

The bollards have a small shoulder turned on the base to seat into the plate, and I’ll be flaring the thin wall on the underside to secure them mechanically. The bore is 5 mm, and I’ll be using a ball bearing under a hand press to form the flare.

They’re only small fittings, but they’re satisfying parts to make and they really start to bring the foredeck to life. More to come once I’ve finished the bases and test‑fitted everything to the deck.

Last of the bollard making these are the smaller ones. Made in a similar way but the gusset between the bollards is milled into the base plate.

Started work on the fire monitor tower components, more to add soon including the rotary valve to add the rotation to the fire monitor unit.