My Cargo Ship Upgrade #2 Is Complete—Next, I’m Building a Kitchen & Bathroom!

Comments · 320

• TH

  @TheGirlandtheRiverShip · 1 month ago · pinned

  After four days at the shipyard, Upgrade #2 is finally complete.<br>This time, the work was not only about replacing the old engine exhaust with a new 220 mm exhaust system. We also reinforced the stern, improved the floor structure, and prepared the space for what I hope will become a proper kitchen, bathroom, and sink area in Upgrade #3.<br>That part means a lot to me, because this cargo ship is not just where I work. It is also where I cook, eat, sleep, rest, and spend long days and nights during my cargo journeys.<br>There were many small moments during these four days that I will remember.<br>I watched the workers launch a ferry built to carry a rice harvester, then carefully hoist its long-tail engine into place. At the same time, steel plates were being lifted onto my ship, my husband was making new exhaust gaskets by hand, and the workers were cutting and fabricating the 220 mm steel pipe for my engine.<br>Even the shipyard itself never seemed to stop. Heavy steel plates arrived by truck from Cần Thơ, other boats were being repaired and launched, and everywhere I looked there was welding, cutting, lifting, and people working with their hands.<br>We also removed the old bathroom area to prepare for the new layout, and a local shop even delivered my new toilet all the way to the shipyard by motorbike. It was such a simple scene, but it made me smile because it felt like another small piece of the future home I’m slowly trying to build on this ship.<br>At the end of the day, everything was finally ready.<br>The workers gently lifted the stern, my ship came out of the dry dock, and after four long days, I was back on the river again.<br>But finishing Upgrade #2 does not mean I get to stop.<br>I am now heading toward Cà Mau to pick up another load of wood. That next cargo trip will help me keep working toward Upgrade #3.<br>Little by little, trip by trip, this ship is becoming more complete.<br>I may not be able to change everything at once, but I am proud of every small step forward.<br>Thank you from the bottom of my heart for staying with me through the noise of the shipyard, the welding sparks, the waiting, the small victories, and now this new beginning on the river.<br>Upgrade #2 is finished. The next journey has already begun.<br><br>Diễm An ❤️

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• HE

  @henrik8463 · 1 month ago

  I love that engine sound, you can hear the turbo spuling up, nice💪

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• RI

  @Rich_Hockett · 1 month ago (edited)

  The skill of the steel worker craftsmen at the shipyard is amazing. Especially the man using the plasma cutter. <br>The shipyard did a great job on stern&apos;s upgrade, as well as the installation of the new exhaust system.<br><br>Slow and sure you and your husband will get the boat fully upgraded. Safe voyages to you and your husband.

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• DA

  @darylgrange3074 · 1 month ago

  Hi Diem An, the upgrades to your ship are slowly coming together. It must feel rewarding to complete these changes giving the ship your personality. I wish you both good health and success. Thank you for making and sharing your videos.

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• TH

  @thefloatingrealmVN · 1 month ago

  Step by step it’s becoming such a cozy home! Keep up the great work!

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• RO

  @rolandgirard3955 · 1 month ago

  Hi Diem An! That was a major upgrade! &nbsp;I&apos;ll bet you are so glad that&apos;s over with so you can get back to work earning some money! &nbsp;I really enjoyed these videos of workers in the shipyard--brought back a lot of memories when I was much younger doing similar kinds of metal fabrication. Your husband is an excellent all around man---I was a manager for many years and would have gladly hired him as my right hand man! &nbsp;Looking forward to your next voyage and then upgrade #3!

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• CA

  @CamillaVoss · 1 month ago

  Hello from Denmark. Upgrade #2 was well executed; the shipyard workers are very skilled. I don&apos;t know if it matters, but please pass on my compliments and tell them they did a great job.

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• RE

  @remaguire · 1 month ago

  Your husband is a very impressive mechanic! You&apos;re lucky to have him!

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• FR

  @frankseymour4162 · 1 month ago

  Hi. My education continues with your videos. This was another fascinating video. It was interesting to see the propeller on the long-tail barge was not perfect but had a piece missing from one tip. I thought about this for a bit and then realised that it probably won&apos;t effect performance because of how these long-tail arrangements work with at times being so close to the waters surface. Then the delivery motorbike showed up and what a hotrod that was, all stripped down for the delivery jobs, so amazing. Your poor clothes and living area are going to smell of welding smoke for days but you had little choice in getting the upgrade done. I hope you are happy with the modifications and they looked like a job well done. I see that truck delivery drivers are the same the world over, always rushing to get the job done. Lifting off those steel plates was typical for them. Great video. Thank you so much for spending the time to produce the video. The drone shots as usual were of a high standard, well done.

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• JC

  @jc.c.1679 · 1 month ago

  Greetings from the Canary Islands! It seems you&apos;re really getting a lot more out of the repairs and speed out of the boat. Little by little, and with patience, you&apos;ll get the boat just the way you like it. It&apos;s also where you live, so the final result has to be excellent. Those drone maneuvers looked fantastic, although with a captain of your caliber, it&apos;s no surprise. I really enjoyed it. Safe travels and fair winds. Cheers!

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• BP

  @BP_Devo · 1 month ago (edited)

  I remember the weather on Guam. &nbsp;On a walk to the post office, you would get rained on at least once during the dry season and the rain would let up at least once during the monsoon season. &nbsp;Your weather looks similar. &nbsp;If all your upgrades happened at once, what would you have to look forward to? &nbsp;Each upgrade just extends the joy of seeing everything come together.

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• ZA

  @zamisax · 1 month ago

  Dear Diẽm An, I’m very happy the Upgrade #2 ended successfully. I was very impressed how competent is your husband in building the gasket manually in his hands. Looking forward for Upgrade #3 ❤

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