SAS Assegaai Prepares to "Set Sail" to its New Home!

Jul 05, 2024

Exciting news, Assegaai supporters! We're on the home stretch for the museum's relocation!

Progress made & Path Cleared

Since our last update, major progress has been made at the new museum site in the Cole Point car park area. The removal of the lambda wall between the inner dockyard and our site is complete. This creates a crucial pathway for the Assegaai's move, while also enhancing the museum's security with a single access point via the Cole Point security gate.

Final clean-up before removing Lamba Wall
Clearing the Lamba wall to start the relocation of the SAS Assegaai

Clearing the Path for the Big Move

The past few days have been a hive of activity. Three heavy 40-foot containers holding generator equipment have been relocated, ensuring a clear path for the submarine's journey. Additionally, the complete clearing of the scrapyard, previously a critical risk factor, has been achieved. We'd like to express our gratitude to the Dockyard's contractors and the additional support provided by a hired front-end loader that aided in this process. As of yesterday, the scrapyard is fully cleared, and final cleaning and opening of the wall are currently underway.

Route cleared through Scrapyard for Assegaai relocation

Vanguard: Ready and Prepared

The final Vanguard convoy has arrived at the site. They've conducted thorough load tests on their equipment and are now gearing up for the momentous lift of the SAS Assegaai. Their dedication and willingness to go above and beyond, even assisting with the container movement, is truly appreciated.

Vanguard conveys for lifting Assegaai Submarine arrives
Vanguard giving a hand removing containers
Vanguard lifting platform in place for testing

Weather Watch and Important Dates

Originally scheduled for Sunday, the move will now take place on Saturday due to forecasts predicting heavy wind and rain. A final decision on the exact time will be made by 12:00 PM today, once Vanguard completes their final preparations.

The move itself is estimated to begin around midday, with the submarine positioned over its new foundation by 4:00 PM, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Once in place, the grouting process will commence. This involves mixing and pouring grout into molds on the concrete base before carefully lowering the Assegaai to ensure even embedding as the grout hardens.

A Shared Moment - Safety First

For safety and security reasons, access to the dockyard and the museum site will be strictly restricted. However, for those eager to witness this historic moment, Runciman Drive offers an excellent viewpoint of the Assegaai's movement through the yard. Additionally, members of the public are welcome to join the celebrations at the nearby Seven Seas establishment (non-members simply need to sign in) to observe the final stages and raise a toast to this momentous occasion.

A Thank You and Call to Action

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and confidence in the SAS Assegaai Museum project. If you haven't already, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. Additionally, if you represent a company or organization that has contributed to our efforts, kindly confirm your details for inclusion on our donor wall.