July 1, 2020 - Antenna & Cable faults and Amartech Shipping Delay - Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

July 1, 2020 - Antennas, Cables and Amartech Shipping Delay  - Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico


We now know that the AIS antenna is not properly functioning and that the VHF antenna cables have up to four splices in the run which is resulting in poor transmission.

Growing list of things not found during survey:
  • Faulty VHF/AIS wiring and failed antenna
  • Gelcoat blisters - no evidence noted during survey
  • Failing bottom paint - reported renewed in the fall of 2019
  • Pitted drive shaft
  • Failing shaft bearings - even though it had been serviced 2015 and 2016
  • Bow thruster wiring issue
  • Stabilizer system in need of significant maintenance even though reported they had been serviced in September 2019
  • Failed Balmar regulator and missing thermal sensor connection
The plan is to replace the AIS antenna and the VHF cable.  To make this work we will replace the two Airwave 5' VHF antennas with two 8' Shakespeare 52225XT and replace the Airwave AIS with a 4' Shakespeare 5396 along with upgrading the cabling with RG8/X cable.

By the way, the flybridge and pilot house radios each have their own antennas.  So the forward two antennas on the mast will grow from 5' to 8' enhancing the range/clarity and cool factor.

The Amartech shaft seal is still held up in Belgium and is TBD.  

The response back from Amartech about the delay:

I contacted TNT and there is a delay because of COVID19.

The amount of flights to America have been reduced.

Only a certain number of packages can be taken on a flight.

The woman from TNT was almost certain that your order/package will leave tonight. But unfortunately nothing is for sure.

 

When I have any update from TNT I will inform you.

 

Met vriendelijke groet, Best regards,

 

Nelleke Sterrenburg



Okay, so I followed up with FedEx/TNT and they are checking into the situation and an agent will call back after they have a chance to research the situation ......


VHF antenna cable with a splice


Location: Marina Vallarta, 48450 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

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