The Crew Behind the Crew

The QEIII Maintenance Engineers prior to another voyage north.

It takes a lot to keep the QEIII shipshape and ready to handle the ravages of the open road. The Pacific Highway is a particular challenge, like the Pacific Ocean after which it is named! Funny about that.

Anyway, behind the regular cruising crew is a dedicated team of engineers who keep the QEIII seaworthy, not to mention roadworthy, and up to the strict maintenance standards of both the Queensland Transport Department and the Darling Harbour Maritime Museum.

Our engineers of choice are the team from Jim and Christine Baird's Penrith Ultra Service. Jim, Mick, Jarod and the other specialist mechanics are always ready to tackle any problems and maintain the QEIII to a strict maintenance program.

Jim is the boss and a very experienced engineer, an up and coming computer geek, a part time soccer supporter, a Mt Panorama Bathurst race-driver and a certified V8 petrol-head!. When Jim first laid eyes on the QEIII he shook his head in amazement. I think he thought that under the hood was a bucket with a whole lot of unconnected engine parts swishing around in there. He still shakes his head, but these days because of the eccentric behaviour of the QEIII Captain!


Chief Marine Engineer Mick. Mick reckons the QEIII has a displacement of about 15 tonnes and that some of the older bridges on the Pacific Highway will be under severe strain as we sail over them on our trips north.

Jarod is our problem solving genius and due to his dedication and tuning prowess has squeezed at least another 20 knots out of the old girl... the QEIII, not Miss Lizzy! He's not keen on the exhaust system though and we think he'd rather we fit a smoke stack in place of the standard muffler which is always causing him a problem because the bolts keep snapping. It's the speed Jarod... the speed!

Seriously though.... we can highly recommend Penrith Ultra Service for all your mechanical needs and their website can be found at ... http://www.ultraservice.com.au/index.htm

Thanks guys... you are the best!