Fuel tank removal

Leaky tank ready for removal

Thursday brought the promised calm and dry and we decided to go for it, taking the deck up for the leaky fuel tank removal. The deck is made up of three sections two fibreglass cased buoyancy tanks which form the outer sections of the deck, in to the hull. Then a plywood centre, under which was the leaky fuel tank, and previously another fuel tank which we removed for added storage space. The deck was cut free and lifted and we were able to remove the tank with out too much difficulty.
We have decided not to replace the under deck tank, and use this space for storage too, adding a deck hatch in due course.
As we do not need to carry too much fuel at one time besides the crossings either way we will use smaller on deck tanks whilst we are in Norway, along with the large on deck tank for the crossings. With the tanks we have we still have capacity for 1300 ltr of fuel, enough for any of our planned journeys! This also was beneficial as we could remove some of the pipes and tubes leading through the wheelhouse and will mean there is absolutely no petrol in the living space.
With tank removed we were able to tidy up some of the cabling and replace the deck before dark, also taking the time to make some minor adjustments to the engine box. With the deck replaced we are once more ready for any weather windows which might arrive, in the mean time we are continuing to explore Unst.

Tank removed

Today there has been a diver assessing the damage to the pontoon after the storms and we hope there hasn't been too much. We will try to make use of today, a relatively calm and dry day to finish arranging and packing the boat, with the new space we will be able to make better use of our interior lockers.