San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Metal boats have pieces of zinc alloy (anodes) attached to them to protect different metals from electrochemically reacting (corroding) to each other when in water. The zinc anodes wear away (the zinc slowly migrates to other metals, such as the bronze propeller) and eventually need to be replaced. All the zinc anodes are being replaced on Issuma while she is hauled out. In the picture, the new zinc anode is being welded to the hull. Unfortunately the welding of some of the zincs was done too quickly and the heat that built up burned off the paint inside the boat, which we now need to scrape off and repaint (steel boats rust if they are not painted, and rust inside, where you don’t see it, must be avoided). But the hull will be well-protected now, and shouldn’t need the zincs replaced again for several years.