I went back over to Empuriabrava on Tue to check on how work was progressing. The good news is that the deck is now down and the team are well on the way to returning all the fixtures and fittings. It certainly feels a lot safer waking around the deck now that the stanchions and safety lines have been put back. There are a few finishing touches before the deck is fully finished, but expect that to be complete early next week.
Other developments include the holding tanks now fitted and wired up. For those of you not eating, the holding tanks are where you deposit the contents of the toilets whilst you are alongside or in sensitive marine environments. They are a requirement in order for us to transit the Panama Canal and visit the Galapagos Islands. Given the location of the tanks in 2 of the cabins fingers crossed that they are air tight.
Aft tank under the skipper’s bed! 
Frd tank under the floor boards
In exciting news, the ‘all important luxury’ items are now well on board and in the process of being installed…..
Sounds for the cockpit 
Washing machine to save me trips to the laundrette
The upgrade of the electronics has now commenced, as has work on the installation of the bowthruster. The pedestal is due to be rebuilt and installed in the next week or so.
All being well we hope to have Valent back into the water in Mid March and ready for sea trials at the end of the month.
