From the start to Aug. 07

META s.a.r.l. boat builder. Route de Lyon, 69172 Tarare - France - Ph: +33 (0)4 74 63 13 58 - Fax: +33 (0)4 74 05 08 65

Mr. Joseph Fricaud and Mr. Patrice Passinge, owners and directors of META Sarl. In 1977, META implemented the Strongall® Process of self supporting hull. http://www.reducostall.com/

META's friendly staff.

The Strongall ® Process is a fast method of contruction. Within 2 weeks, the hull was standing in the boatyard.

Strongall® is a self-supported hull process with no inner structures.

The bow is strengthened by oversize tubes of aluminium to counter ice impact while navigating.

The aluminium sheets used for the deck are 8 mm thick.

The 3 diesel tanks have a capacity of 10 400 litres

The diesel tanks are reinforced with special compartments that lend themselves to rigidity and strength.

The hull is flipped over for external welding to allow good work conditions.

External and internal weldings are lending rigidity and strength to the whole construction .

Upper ribs are welded to support the superstrucure.

The shaft tubes and under-frames of the engines are integrated to the hull.

The daily storage diesel tank have a capacity of 220l.

The aluminium sheets used for the superstructure are 8 mm thick.

4 months after the construction started, the brige and hull are put together.

The bridge and the hull are equipped with 3 doors and 4 hatches, all of them waterproof and made of GRP (glass reinforced polyester) sandwich.

Patrick and Pierre have spent hours solving thousand technical details.

The aft storage and the waterproof bulkhead.

Bow waterproof bulkhead.

The hull is ready for sandblasting and painting process.

Reinforced diesel tanks

- The fuel capacity of the boat is 10,000 litres of diesel, stored in 3-ballasted reservoirs. These reservoirs allow for precise control of the longitudinal stability of the boat. The tanks are well reinforced with special compartments that lend themselves to rigidity and strength.

The thickness of the aluminium hull is 20 mm on the bottom and the sides and 15, 10 and 8 mm for the bridge and the gangway.

Furthermore, the boat is reinforced by two waterproof bulkheads (without opening). The gangway is positioned over the living area. The living area is accessed by two waterproof emergency hatches that can ensure total comfort and security below if the integrity of the cabin is compromised ( i.e. window breaking).

Propellers

The propellers are integrated into the skegs which insure rigidity and protection while aground. Special cages will be installed onto the skegs to protect the propellers while navigating in the ice.