Thames sailing barge Centaur, restoration of bottom planking.

Descriptions

Introduction:The Thames Sailing Barge Trust owns the wooden Thames spritsail barge CENTAUR built in Essex in 1895. The vessel is of traditional construction and has had extensive restoration work carried out on her hull between 1978 and 1995. This work involved the replacement of the frames together with all external timber between the wales and the chine, including the latter.This invitation to tender is for work to be carried out on Centaur's bottom planking which has not previously been doubled:Description of works to be carried out:Dry dock the vessel.Remove the forward and aft outer run and entry planking below the waterline out to the chine and extending to the original lap-joints in the bottom planking.Make good the inner skin planking.Fit new outer skin planking, bedded on traditional sheathing felt and hot coal tar and through spiked to the original floor timbers. Where possible, locally sourced traditional timber should be used.Quote to include cost of all labour, materials, lifting and moving equipment etc., with a breakdown of the costs for each.Cost of dry dock to be shown separately and to include the period of time it will be requiredAll costs should be shown exclusive of VAT.A method statement and timescale for completion of the work is required to be supplied.Proof of adequate Insurance cover for the vessel whilst under restoration must be shown.Responsibility for the delivery of the vessel to the place of work will be with the TSBT.Conditions:The work must be carried out within East Anglia/Thames Estuary area and is required to be started in February 2013 with a view to it being completed within 26 weeks.The work is to be carried out on the bottom of the barge, which is currently moored at the Hythe Quay, Maldon. Internal inspection can be arranged with the TSBT. Photographs of the underside of the vessel can be supplied on request. A copy of the relevant parts of the vessels last Out of water survey in 2009 and In water survey in 2011, can also be supplied.The awarding of this tender is dependent on the Thames Sailing Barge Trust (TSBT) receiving a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) A condition of such a grant is that there will be an education element built into this project which will require visits, workshops, video and photographs. The supplier must be prepared to work with one or two students/apprentices for the duration of the project. The supplier must also present the restoration techniques used to the workshops.