Toulouse Dry Dock 1-14 March 2011

Carmen was built in 1925 so her hull is 86 years old.  Barges of this age need to have their hull examined every seven to ten years to make sure they are still safe and Carmen's next survey was due before September 2011.  During the first half of March I profited from the old 19th Century dry dock at Demoiselles, half a kilometre from Carmen's winter mooring, to gently lower the barge onto five supports.  Here she was examined by an 'Expert' using thickness echo sounding.  It transpired her hull is in very good condition indeed, although she needs a small number of changes to comply with the new stricter European Norms.
Later, back at Toulouse she passed the handling tests necessary for the Norms.

The 19th Century covered Cale Sêche (Dry Dock) at Demoiselles, Toulouse with Carmen inside