Island Escape Launches Trimline’s Bright Start To 2011
A major refit of crew accommodation on the Thomson Cruises‘ vessel Island Escape has ensured a bright start to 2011 for Southampton-based marine outfitters Trimline. A team of more than 60 Trimline personnel is carrying out the two-month project, rebuilding 74 crew cabins, in the Lisnave yard in Lisbon and is set to apply the finishing touches to the project as the ship sails for Tenerife to resume cruising.
They have re-built the crew cabins from the floor upwards, initially installing a floating floor on a steel deck followed by fitting bulkheads and deckheads. Once the framework of the cabins is in place, electricians and plumbers are setting to work wiring the areas and fitting new wet units, including basins and showers, plus installing HVAC modifications. The cabins are then to be fitted out with new furniture, fittings and soft furnishings.
Multi-Million Pound Project
Trimline has previously upgraded the passenger areas of the Island Escape when she was part of the Island Cruises fleet and further passenger work has been included in the latest project, including new carpets in public areas. Trimline Sales and Marketing Director Mike Oliver explained: “This is a multi-million pound project to ensure that Island Escape maintains Thomson fleet standards and we expect our wide experience of the ship to be extremely valuable as the owner continues the upgrade programme.”
Wide Range
The niche cruise ship Hebridean Princess is also benefitting from Trimline’s expertise in cabin work with new passenger accommodation being created and fitted out from an existing cabin area while the five-star ship is docked in Glasgow. In addition, the traditional winter refit season for ferries has seen Trimline maintain its strong relationship with cross-Solent ferry operator Red Funnel, with refurbishment of some of the ships’ public areas.
The wide range of Trimline capability is being further illustrated by refurbishing facilities on the former Royal Navy destroyer HMS Bristol, now used as a cadet accommodation ship. One of the more unusual tasks while the ship docks at A&P‘s Tyne yard is to create a lecture theatre spread over two decks from a former missile silo.
The promising start to 2011 continues a good end to the previous year when Trimline completed major projects on the Cunard ships Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.