New boat stands from reused steel

Text and photo: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Kommunikasjon

“This is excellent practical training for the apprentices. They measure, cut and weld. They’ve built stands for three Malo boats, and now they’re making the last two,” says workshop manager Ronny Christoffersen.

In the workshop at Lundevågen, sparks fly around apprentices Odin Gaupeland and Carl Edvin Qvarfordt.

THREE STANDS are already complete. The duo is now working flat out on the remaining two, using steel salvaged from the old Bredero garage. The reuse brings environmental benefits – and a real sense of achievement.

“These are stands that can remain on land and that we can hoist the Malo boats into when they’re not at sea. They can also be used when we need to bring Malo boats on our crane vessels. We then lift the stand with the boat in it on board the crane vessels,” he says.

FARMAR HAS three apprentices at the Lundevågen base. Two are training as industrial mechanics, and the third as an electrician.

The task of building the supports fell to the mechanical duo – who tackle it with a steady hand and good humour.

“We’re reusing steel from the garage. I make the base of the stand, and Odin builds the part the boat will lean against. We’ve got two more to make, so there’ll be a bit more cutting and measuring,” says Carl Edvin Qvarfordt.

The Malo boats – solidly built by Jemar Norpower – are used daily in Farmar’s operations. Soon, all five will have their own custom-built support.