At Sunshine Scenic Tours, we’re dedicated to ensuring that every voyage aboard the Pirate Ship Royal Conquest is smooth, safe, and enjoyable. While passengers experience the thrill of pirate adventures on the high seas, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep our beloved vessel in shipshape condition. Every year, we haul the Royal Conquest out of the water for essential maintenance, a process that’s crucial for both the ship’s performance and its longevity. As we gear up for this year’s haul-out on September 3rd at MarineMax Clearwater, we wanted to give you an inside look at what goes into keeping the Royal Conquest seaworthy and ready for adventure.
Key Takeaways:
- Annual Maintenance: The Royal Conquest undergoes a yearly haul-out for critical maintenance, ensuring its longevity.
- Hull and Component Care: The hull is sanded, refinished, and treated with anti-fouling paint to reduce marine growth, and essential parts like drive shafts and rudder shafts are serviced.
- USCG Inspection: The ship is prepared for the biennial USCG inspection, ensuring it meets all safety and seaworthiness standards.
- **A Fresh Look: The ship receives a full paint job and artistic detailing, enhancing its pirate-themed appearance.
- Ongoing Upgrades: In addition to major maintenance, other upgrades, such as varnishing cap rails and replacing rigging cables, are also carried out.
The Annual Haul-Out: A Tradition of Care
Each year, the Royal Conquest is hauled out of the water for a comprehensive maintenance and upkeep process. This haul-out is not just a routine check; it’s a vital part of preserving the ship’s structural integrity and ensuring that she remains in top condition for years to come.
The first step in the haul-out process is to remove the vessel from the water and place it securely in dry dock. Once the Royal Conquest is out of the water, we begin the meticulous task of sanding and refinishing the hull below the waterline. This is an important step because the hull is constantly exposed to the harsh marine environment, which can lead to the buildup of barnacles, oysters, coral, and other biological growth. To prevent this, we apply a special anti-fouling paint that slows down marine growth, keeping the hull clean and reducing drag in the water.
In addition to hull maintenance, we also service critical components such as the drive shafts, rudder shafts, and propellers. This includes swapping out the cutlass bearings, which support the shafts, and replacing the shaft seals to prevent water ingress. These tasks are essential to ensuring the smooth operation of the vessel and to extending the lifespan of these vital parts.
Preparing for the USCG Inspection
Every two years, the Royal Conquest undergoes an out-of-the-water inspection by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). This inspection is scheduled well in advance, and it’s a thorough examination of the vessel’s overall seaworthiness. The USCG inspectors come aboard to check various aspects of the ship, including its structural integrity, safety equipment, and operational readiness.
Any issues identified during the inspection must be addressed before the Royal Conquest can be cleared to sail again. Thanks to our diligent maintenance practices over the past five years, we do not anticipate any major issues arising during this year’s inspection. Our team has worked hard to keep the ship in excellent condition, and we’re confident that she’ll pass the inspection with flying colors.
A Fresh Look for the Royal Conquest
This year’s haul-out will be particularly exciting, as we’re giving the Royal Conquest a full paint job above the waterline. After years of sun, salt, and sea, she’s due for a serious refresh. The process of painting the ship is as detailed as it is important, and it begins with a thorough wash-down of the entire exterior to scrub away loose dirt and grime.
Once the ship is clean, we’ll set up scaffolding around the boat to provide access to every nook and cranny. The next step is to sand the entire exterior to create a smooth surface for the new paint. After sanding, we’ll wipe down the exterior with acetone to remove any remaining oils, wax, and contaminants that could interfere with the paint adhesion.
With the preparation complete, we’ll apply a primer base coat to ensure a strong bond between the surface and the paint. Then comes the base color, which will restore the Royal Conquest’s vibrant, eye-catching appearance. But we’re not stopping there—after the base color is applied, we’ll bring in an artist to add detailed artwork and a wood grain effect, giving the ship its distinctive, pirate-inspired look.
In fact, some of this work has already begun. Just a few months ago, artist Patti Suzette climbed aboard the Royal Conquest to give some TLC to the bow sprit.
Additional Upgrades and Repairs
In addition to the major painting project, we’ll also be tackling several other important tasks during the haul-out. The ship’s cap rails, which have endured years of wear and tear, will be sanded and varnished to restore their natural beauty and protect them from the elements. We’ll also be replacing any rusted cables in the rigging to ensure the ship’s structural integrity and safety.
Looking Ahead: Dolphin Quest and Shark Boat
While the focus is currently on the Royal Conquest, we’re also preparing for the haul-outs of our other beloved vessels. The Dolphin Quest is scheduled for haul-out on September 17th, and we’ll be sharing more details about the plans for her maintenance in early September. Following that, the Shark Boat will be hauled out on October 1st.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
At Sunshine Scenic Tours, we’re committed to keeping our fleet in top condition so that you can enjoy the best possible experience on the water. We take pride in our work and in the care we put into maintaining our vessels.
So stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights, and get ready to set sail on a beautifully restored Royal Conquest this fall. We can’t wait to welcome you aboard for another season of pirate adventures on the high seas!
We’ll be running daily cruises aboard the Royal Conquest up until September 3rd. For a full schedule and to book your cruise, visit www.boattoursjohnspass.com.
Conclusion
Maintaining the Pirate Ship Royal Conquest is no small task, but it’s one that we take great pride in at Sunshine Scenic Tours. From the annual haul-out to the intricate painting and repairs, every effort is made to ensure that the Royal Conquest is not only seaworthy but also an exciting and safe vessel for all our guests. As we prepare for another season of adventures on the high seas, we invite you to join us and experience the thrill of sailing aboard a ship that’s as meticulously maintained as it is steeped in pirate lore.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard the beautifully restored Royal Conquest this fall, where the spirit of adventure and the legacy of pirates come alive on the waters of Boca Ciega Bay.
