Progress Report from Robbins Reef
Robbins Reef Trip Report, October 22, 2021
Noble Crew: Angus McCamy, Nan Smith, Erin Urban
Weather: Clouds rolling in, 60◦s
Access: Left Miller’s at 3 15 PM on the Emily Miller and returned at 6:15 PM on the Nicholas Miller captained by Dave Steckley.
Purpose of the trip: The purpose of the trip was to test the falls, blocks, and straps with both the harness and the platform, and to test the exterior color paint, mixed and donated to us by John Tretout and Lou Di Blasi at Armorica Sales.
Tasks accomplished: Angus and Nan set up the rigging and went up in a harness to test his maneuverability at the top. He adjusted the falls and blocks and went up a second time.
Then we hauled out the platform from the kitchen, rigged it, and set it up for his ascent. Fortunately Nan is a skilled sailor with experience in rigging, and expert at knot typing and rope procedures. Plus she’s very strong. We hauled up the platform, Angus aboard, and he checked his maneuverability at the top. We brought him down, adjusted things at the base and hauled him up again. He used the heavy electric chipping hammer up there and was able to scrape two panels on the underside of the Watch Gallery. He may be able to start painting. He has thought out, planned, and executed his procedure.
John and Lou of Armorica had made up a sample gallon of the red oxide paint for the lower part of the lighthouse. Erin wire-brushed, washed, and put two coats of the red oxide paint on the area around the front door.
Next steps: We will meet, weather permitting, at 2:45 PM at Miller’s in the coming weeks and help Angus. Volunteers who can and want to paint should let Erin know.
We also need help with re-installing the kitchen door and working on removing the linoleum glue from the floors while always attacking any and all other maintenance to keep the interior of Kate’s Light in elegant condition.