Restoring the Starboard Waist Deck: A Big Step Forward
With the help of our amazing volunteers, we have made great progress on the starboard waist deck of the SS Explorer!
After removing the old rotted planks and de-rusting the deck, the SS Explorer's volunteers treated the deck with a rust inhibitor, before painting over it.
The deck has not looked this good in quite some time!
Originally shared on our Facebook page by Filip.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our amazing volunteers, we’ve made significant progress on the starboard waist deck of the SS Explorer.
This section of deck had suffered badly over time. Years of exposure to weather had left timber planks rotten and steelwork vulnerable, allowing water to sit on the surface and accelerate corrosion. Before any restoration could begin, the team carefully removed the old, decayed planking and thoroughly cleaned the exposed deck beneath.
Once stripped back, volunteers set about derusting the steel deck, removing loose corrosion and preparing the surface properly. A rust-inhibiting treatment was then applied to help protect the metal and slow future deterioration. This crucial step ensures that the work carried out now will last far longer and safeguard the structure below.
With the deck prepared and protected, the final stage was painting. Several coats were applied to seal the surface and restore a clean, smart finish. The starboard waist deck has not looked this good in quite some time.
This work is another example of what can be achieved through the commitment of our volunteer team and supporters. Every repaired section brings us closer to preserving the SS Explorer for future generations, keeping this important vessel safe, watertight and accessible.
Thank you to everyone who has given their time, effort and support to make this progress possible.