Project Brupegvideo
3D Ball Valve Mount, Crane Repairs, Handrails & Staying safe from Cyclone Narelle - Brupeg Ep. 441
March 23, 2026 · 42 min · 15K views · Thursday Island
What this video covers
Brupeg, a rebuilt steel trawler, sits at Thursday Island in far north Queensland waiting out Cyclone Narelle — a Category 4/5 system that tracked 140 miles south — while the crew works through a backlog of maintenance jobs.0:03 A failed X11 commercial-grade modem is swapped out for a donor unit configured by Duncan, wired directly to 12V DC to eliminate the AC converter and reduce power draw, with Starlink serving as backup during the outage.0:46 A custom 3D-printed ball valve mount, designed to eliminate the slop and ugly appearance of hose-clamp or U-bolt solutions, is test-fitted on the fuel transfer system and sent back for a tighter reprint.5:49 The bow crane — a repurposed engine crane now rusted through at the base — gets an HDPE shim cut from salvaged material to reduce friction at the pivot; the electric winch is slated for replacement with a manual unit, and the wire rope for Dyneema or poly, since the heaviest lift is a 112 kg anchor.10:09 Diesel bug treatment using a biocide from Supercheap Auto is demonstrated, with a settled sample later grading A at a fuel lab.16:06 A 500-litre water bladder run is completed just ahead of the cyclone's outer weather.23:48 Stern handrails are unbolted for welding repairs.33:36
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