2018 - January to December
After inspection by a genuine marine surveyor the Orion of Aberdeen was declared to be totally unseaworthy and extremely hazardous. (see document images below] If the true underlying condition of the Orion had been known prior to repair work commencing, the vessel would have been scrapped. By the time the true condition was learned the financial point-of-no-return had been passed. A subsequent professional survey identified four separate concealed deficiencies with a consequence of death.
The steel jacket can be seen covering the forward lower half of keel. Undisclosed at the time of sale, when the jacket was discovered it was said to be "arctic plating". When the original German owners of the Orion were tracked down, the true story behind this jacket was openly discussed. The vessel had been grounded and suffering severe corrosion, facts which were openly disclosed.
With the covering jacket partially removed, an access port was used to assess the damaged diesel tank. The diesel tank had to be vented for one week, fume tested and certified before work could commence.
Covering jacket partially removed showing damage from massive grounding. The diesel tank is ruptured and damaged internally, allowing diesel to erroneously access all volume within the rear keel.
Covering jacket partially removed showing damage from massive grounding. The diesel tank is ruptured and damaged internally, allowing diesel to erroneously access all volume within the rear keel.
The inside of the diesel tank was filled with sludge ~7 cm deep. A hole in the sump below the engine allowed bilge water to drain directly into the diesel tank ! It was evident that the diesel tank had not been inspected or cleaned for many years.
The inside of the diesel tank was filled with sludge ~7 cm deep. A hole in the sump below the engine allowed bilge water to drain directly into the diesel tank ! It was evident that the diesel tank had not been inspected or cleaned for many years.
Keel port side with covering jacket removed to expose massive grounding damage.
Covering jacket partially removed showing damage from massive grounding
Removal of the keel jacket exposed massive grounding damage. The steel was fractured and split.
Damage to the starboard side of the keel. The keel ballast volume had also been filled with old engine oil (black) which spilled out during removal of the jacket. This took more than five days to drain and make environmentally secure.
Double plating on the starboard hull, adjacent to the integral water tanks. Double plating was visible through the holes inside the water tank. Double plating is a repair process used on barges and not approved for an ocean environment.
Top of water tank #1 and #2 with take-off hoses and level indicator.
Inside the forward water tank showing the main mast support. The mast footing was found to be severely corroded under the rubberized paint.
Inside water tank #2. Rubberized paint applied over corroded steel.
Steel samples from the integral water tanks showing severe corrosion and painted over with rubberized paint. Holes in the centre made with a chisel. This would have potentially connected the water tanks to the open sea.
The upper lanyard pulleys on the main + mizzen masts were totally seized.
The main-mast lower spreader tips were broken and covered with friction tape. A simple geometry check revealed incorrect spreader lengths as the root cause.
Both mast bases were compromised with cracks, concealed with epoxy and paint.
Main mast base cracks covered with epoxy and paint.
Cracks in the mizzen mast base.
Cracks in the mizzen mast base.
Main mast top cap
All internal lanyard pulleys totally seized.
All lanyard pulley wheels totally seized
Main mast lanyard pulleys with severe galvanic corrosion. Totally seized. Note eccentric axle hole.
Lanyard pulley wheels totally seized and corroded. Note the axle pivot hole from a THREADED axle bolt. It is evident that the pulley wheels had not been inspected or serviced for many years. The pulley wheel could NEVER have rotated under load, posing severe hazard if the sail became stuck.
The exhaust pipe which ran through the rear sleeping cabin. With the lagging removed for inspection, the pipe was found to be severely pitted and along its entire length. This would have potentially allowed engine exhaust to directly enter the rear sleeping cabin.
Mooring bollards mounted inboard, and on top of the gunwales.
Underside of mooring bollard plate was covered with filler and painted over.
Lloyds & HSE Certified Surveyor
Official marine survey conclusion. Certified surveyor - Daniel Rodriguez - October 2017
Official marine survey conclusion. Certified surveyor - Daniel Rodriguez - October 2017
Lemmer marina, Lelystad, Netherlands, 2011. "Orion" in the foreground with vessel "Hang Loose" (M. Strottman) behind.
Lemmer Marina, Lelystad, Netherlands - May 2018
Sailing World brokerage Lemmer, Netherlands, May 2018. Owner: Robin DeSnoo. Orion was purchased here in 2011.
Makeshift repair works to Orion were made in the Flevo Marina surface yard during 2011.
The original German owners of the Orion sold the vessel in 2011. They were interviewed by police in Lemmer, May 2018 and confirmed that Orion was in very poor condition at the time of sale in 2011, hence the low sale price of €65,000 It was also confirmed that Orion was seriously grounded in 1998 and a keel jacket installed. All facts were openly disclosed by the German owners to both Sailing World brokerage and the buyer when they sold Orion in 2011.
Bill of Sale in 2011 for €32,5000 Sale price for Orion in 2011 was €65,000
Bill of Sale in 2011 for €32,5000 Despite the agreed €65,000 allegedly only €62,500 was handed over. €28,500 of which represented a loan from Michael Strottman owner of the vessel "Hang Loose" which according to M.Strottman remains in default.
Has vessel ever suffered structural damage: NO