The Missions Support Vessel!

In December of 2014, we were donated a one hundred and fifteen foot vessel that will be perfect for the work the Lord has called us to do in the South Pacific. Unfortunately, prior to it being donated, it received some damage in the forward cabin areas as the result of a small on-board fire. Because of this, *some work will be necessary in order to tear out the damaged areas and do an extensive cleaning due to the soot damage that happened as a result of the fire. Fortunately, redoing the damaged areas will give us the ability to rebuild the interior to our own unique needs and specifications, which we would have needed to do anyhow. The carpets and vinyl overhead have already been removed, and one of the first things we will do is the soot removal.

*Update: This phase has been completed and progress photos may be viewed here.

Both Eric and DJ are very experienced when it comes to boat repair. As a result, they are fully capable of doing any and all work required to complete this refit, which means we expect to be able to do most of the work ourselves. For more information about Eric and DJ's qualifications and experience, please click here.

At the time of this writing, the vessel continues to be docked in Louisiana. Even though there is quite a lot of work that needs to be done to her, we know that she is a very well built vessel and is in extremely good condition. Fortunately none of the mechanical systems were damaged by the fire, so we will be able to focus most of our attention on the refit and clean-up operation. We expect this work to begin on February 23, 2015.

Our Facebook page and this website will be updated as often as is possible, and we will include not only update reports but we will also post photos of the work in progress as we move closer towards the goal of getting her ready for the task the Lord has laid before us.
An interesting fact is that this vessel was originally built in 1971, in accordance with the ABS shipping standards of that time. During that time the requirements were such that vessels like this were required to be built with a heavier aluminum construction. Therefore, she was built far heavier than today's boats, which will turn out to be very important given the islands we want to be able to access.

Her specifications:

Length 115'
Beam 22'
Draft 6'

Engines are a pair of Cat 346 diesels. Non computer controlled and equipped with air starters. We consider that a bonus for where she will be serving! Fresh water cooled via raw water heat exchangers. They are in excellent condition.

She has 3" two piece stainless shafts and 39" four bladed stainless steel propellers. 

Fuel capacity is around 6000 gallons in four tanks.

Water capacity is 1500 gallons in two tanks.

5 bilge pumps with high water alarms plus a 240 volt dewatering / firefighting pump with two hose stations.

Electric generation via a 45 KW Perkins diesel genset and a 65 KW Isuzu genset.

She is equipped with a hydraulic system via a power pack and a pto on the Perkins generator. The hydraulic system runs the anchor windlass, bow thruster and a 2500 lb Hiab knuckle boom crane.

As you can see from the photos she is a very well built vessel and we feel very blessed to have been given a vessel that will meet our needs perfectly.

Port side

Port side, aft view
(The vessels' new name will be 'Far Horizons')

Port Side Forward

45 KW Generator

Port side main engine with air compressor. The top of this engine is six feet off the deck!

65 KW Generator

Engine room tool racks

70 GPH Desalinator

Flying bridge looking aft. 2500 lb Hiab crane aft. Ladder goes up to a crows nest above the radars.

Anchor Windlass

Galley Port Side,

lots of soot here to clean.

Galley Starboard

Galley Aft

Main salon looking forward. This is going to be cleaned during Phase 1 of the restoration.

Owners stateroom looking to port.

Owners stateroom looking to starboard. There is another cabin just like this forward. Both these cabins have only light soot and smoke damage.

Captains' cabin aft of bridge. Very heavily sooted and will be cleaned during Phase 2 of the restoration.

Laundry room, serious cleanup here.

From the laundry room forward things will be getting torn out and replaced. There will be additional bunk space, a small workshop and possibly a small sound / recording booth for supporting language translation work.