The steel-hulled twin-screw steamer is this year booked in for a longer-than-usual annual survey break, stretching out to eight weeks, to allow for the replacement of the 1950s fore deck timbers.
Launched in 1912, Earnslaw was the main form of transport for early high-country farmers in remote areas of the Wakatipu Basin, and is believed to be the only coal-fired passenger-carrying vessel still operating in the southern hemisphere.
Real Journeys engineer Linton Strang said this year's survey also included general engine room maintenance, fresh paint and washing the coal boilers for inspection by marine surveyors before next year's dry dock maintenance, which was done very two years.
"The decking's really the biggest thing, and next year will be a good painting of the hull and getting her nice and shiny and as neat as a pin for her 100th."
The vintage steamship is docked at the Steamer Wharf until July 11, with the 70-passenger vessel Fiordlander II taking tours in the meantime.
New "sustainable and durable" kwila hardwood boards will make up Earnslaw's third deck. Its original kauri fore deck was replaced in the 1950s with jarrah timber.
Earnslaw operator Real Journeys was searching for stories, photographs and memorabilia of the ship in preparation for next year's celebrations, and had set up a website - www.tssearnslaw.co.nz - for the centenary.
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