The SS Columbia  (Detroit, February 2009)

On February 27, 2009 we went to Detroit to check on the progress of asbestos abatement. We’re happy to report that our contractor Trust Thermal Abatement Inc. made significant progress in removing asbestos from The SS Columbia. Areas that were completed include the removal of linoleum from the grand staircase and dining room. Furthermore, the insulation materials were removed from the boiler room (boilers, piping and fireboxes), the engine room (pipes & tanks), the kitchen and the main deck (pipes, fire system and light fixtures). Additionally three full dumpsters of trash and rubbish were cleared from the Columbia. Weather permitting the asbestos abatement will be fully completed by March 20, 2009.

Photo 1 (Left to Right): Captain Mike Eagan (SSCP Advisory Board); Rick Collins (Carpenter); Kevin Fesler (Asbestos inspection/Quality Control); Darrell Painter (Asbestos Technician) Barry Smith (Friend and long time enthusiast of the SS Columbia); Sean Leon (Asbestos Abatement foreman, Darwin Rettig (Asbestos Abatement Project Manager).

Photo 2: A crewmember clears the grand staircase. Photo 3: In this former well-insulated beer cooler (Note the “Bud Light” signs marked on the taps) workers created a heated lounge area where they take breaks and enjoy lunch.

Photo 4: Tom Vincent (on the right) an inspector from the State of Michigan was doing an inspection on the SS Columbia’s progress. His responsibilities are to ensure that the state standards and procedures on the job site are being met. Photo 5: The crew is carrying the black plastic bags off the ship across the dock where their truck was parked. The ship’s location and the low temperatures (at this time of the year, the river still remains frozen) added challenges to the work but our crew still managed to smile.

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