412: Modification of research vessels

After discussing for a while, the group decided to have Yang Qi find the person in charge of the shipyard to take delivery of this scientific research vessel.

General Manager Cao's two men would then sail the ship back, while the others would drive home.

Yang Qi found the shipyard manager and explained his purpose. After paying fifty thousand yuan in berthing management fees, General Manager Cao's men started the ship, steered it out of the berth, and headed toward the open sea.

In the evening, the two cars returned to the Municipal Shipyard one after another. Yang Qi first stated the requirements for the new fishing boat under construction, using the parameters of another fishing boat on the production line as a reference.

As for the refitting of the scientific research vessel, Yang Qi gave a general overview of the requirements. Both parties planned to wait until the ship returned the next day to finalize the details based on the actual situation.

Yang Qi and Bai Xue didn't stay long. After returning home and making a quick meal, the two of them took paper and pens, compared the yacht's parameters, and began recording all the areas that needed refitting.

First and foremost was the power system, followed by the refrigeration equipment for the Freezer Hold. They also needed to check if the desalination machine was still functional.

The biggest change would be to the accommodation cabins; most rooms would be converted into several large Live Wells. There would also be renovations to the rooms in the deckhouse, as well as the large kitchen and bathrooms.

After all, with such a large ship, it was impossible for only Yang Qi and Bai Xue to be on board during long-haul voyages.

The two of them discussed for most of the night, so much so that it was already eight o'clock when they woke up the next morning.

So, they hurriedly finished breakfast and rushed to the Municipal Shipyard.

Both parties held detailed discussions regarding the refitting of the scientific research vessel and the configuration of the new fishing boat.

Yang Qi and Bai Xue concluded that all equipment needing replacement should be swapped for the best and most practical options.

Furthermore, the Live Wells had to be large. Of the original twelve rooms in the cabin, only four would remain, while the rest of the space would be expanded into several Live Wells.

The rooms on the second floor of the deckhouse would all be renovated in a comfortable modern style, each equipped with an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning.

Fortunately, the original scientific equipment in these rooms of the scientific research vessel had already been removed; otherwise, it would have been even more troublesome.

A small swimming pool was planned for the far right corner of the aft deck for people to take a dip.

Yang Qi followed Bai Xue's suggestion and installed a large bathtub in the bathroom of their own room, which was the largest room on the second floor.

When they bought the "setting sail," they prioritized practicality, and because space was limited, they only had one room.

But things were different now. With money in their pockets and plenty of space on the ship, they chose comfort above all else—why suffer unnecessarily?

In addition to a gantry crane, there were two other cranes on the aft deck. The larger one was located in the middle of the ship, with a telescopic boom that could easily reach the foredeck.

It could lift several thousand catties without any pressure. These pieces of equipment didn't need to be touched; they were perfectly adequate.

The flash-freezing systems for the two cold storage units and blast freezers definitely had to be the best. After an engineer inspected the freshwater converter, it was found to be relatively new and still functional.

Even the high-pressure water cannon was intact, which saved Yang Qi a lot of money.

A retractable sunshade was also installed on the large rooftop terrace on the second floor of the deckhouse, right above the Cockpit.

Out at sea, they could sunbathe, enjoy the night view, chat over tea, or have a barbecue there. In short, it was a leisure area.

At Bai Xue's request, a row of cultivation boxes was placed around the perimeter so they could grow vegetables and flowers while at sea.

Additionally, the two original old engines were to be completely replaced according to Yang Qi's requirements.

After trading in the old engines, they paid an additional 800,000 yuan to upgrade to two Weichai 850-horsepower engines.

With a total power of 1300 KW, the theoretical top speed of this scientific research vessel could reach 30 knots.

At an economical cruising speed of 25 knots, the ship's range was approximately 8,000 nautical miles.

However, if the ship was fully loaded, the speed would drop to 20 knots.

Finally, a Trawling system was installed on the aft deck of the scientific research vessel. Yang Qi believed that if he encountered a suitable school of fish again in the future, he would definitely not hold back.

Some materials removed from the scientific research vessel, including a weather station and an air compressor, were left for General Manager Cao to handle; if they couldn't be sold, they would be given to him.

Finally, General Manager Cao prepared a budget. Between converting the originally ordered fishing boat into a commercial fishing vessel and refitting the scientific research vessel, Yang Qi had to pay the shipyard another 2.8 million yuan.

The refitting of the scientific research vessel would be completed in three months. That would be after the New Year.

Yang Qi and Bai Xue carefully reviewed the contract, and after finding no errors, they signed it on the spot and made the payment.

"President Yang, President Bai, why don't you stay for a casual lunch?"

General Manager Cao shook hands with the two of them.

"We'll skip lunch this time, maybe next time!"

The two of them politely declined General Manager Cao's invitation and drove away.

Their only request was to speed up the refitting process, prioritizing the scientific research vessel.

"Hubby, General Manager Cao just called me President Bai. Isn't that funny?"

Bai Xue couldn't help but laugh on the way back.

"Aren't you President Bai? Your private stash alone has over ten million in cash. Most companies don't have as much cash flow as you do!"

Yang Qi joked while driving.

After finishing up at the shipyard, the two of them returned to his mother's place in Qingshan Town, feeling very satisfied.

"Mom, that ship is huge! Let me tell you..."

Under the questioning of the two mothers, Bai Xue began to tell them what had happened.

The two women were happy for them after hearing the news, and they even added two more dishes to the lunch.

For the next few days, Yang Qi and Bai Xue didn't go out to sea. This was because a set of handicraft equipment Bai Xue had ordered online had arrived, and she was busy familiarizing herself with its operation every day.

It included a pearl drilling device and a gemstone polishing machine. She had bought them after seeking advice from professionals.

When she and Yang Qi had gone to the old master for an appraisal, the master saw at a glance that the various gemstones and pearls had been eroded by seawater and needed to be repolished.

Yang Qi went to the shipyard almost every day to check on the progress. In the evenings, he would either turn lobular red sandalwood beads on a lathe or help Bai Xue polish the gemstones and pearls.

They spent four or five days organizing everything. There was no way they were going to sell these items.

Bai Xue planned to keep them. When she had time, she would turn some of them into jewelry, either for herself or to give as gifts.

Bai Xue also made three pearl necklaces, intending to give them to Zheng Jin, Chen Lanying, and Chen Lanxin.

She made about a dozen gemstone rings; they had plenty of gold at home now. However, the gemstones needed to be sent to a jewelry store to be professionally cut and polished.

When Bai Xue took the rings and necklaces to her mother's place to distribute them among the three elders, she felt a great sense of accomplishment seeing how happy they were.