The 50’ Viking Lady Di traveled past Jarrett Bay Boatworks on their way north on the morning of Monday, June 23rd. Later that afternoon in the Pungo River, they struck a submerged log or piling. They limped into a local marina that was able to haul the boat. It was determined the starboard propeller was damaged beyond repair and the starboard shaft was bent.
After several phone calls, the owner decided his best course of action would be to launch the boat and run 64 miles back south on one engine, to have the repairs made at Jarrett Bay Boatworks. They arrived late on Tuesday afternoon and the boat was hauled on Wednesday morning. The damaged shaft was removed and Bircher Machine Inc. was on stand-by to receive it as soon as it was removed from the vessel.
Meanwhile, new props were being procured. The owner decided to go back with two new propellers to keep it a “matched set”. On Thursday, the repaired shaft was delivered back to Jarrett Bay Boatworks. Thanks to Jim Bircher for bringing that damaged shaft back to specs and not having the owner bear the expense or time of having a complete new shaft assembly machined.
The new propellers arrived on Friday morning and all of the components were reassembled including a new cutless bearing. The crew worked through a lighting storm with a torrential down pour of rain to get the boat ready to launch on Friday afternoon. Sea trials were conducted and all was reported to be “good to go”. After spending the night in a slip at Jarrett Bay, the boat departed at first light on Saturday morning.
