Thursday, June 25, 2009



A new site I put together - It collects realtime data about the harbour - weather, tides and reported arrivals and departures. If there is something missing, please let me know.

Halifaxshippingnews.ca

News Bits

Georges Island to be open to public next year
Parks Canada intends to open the national historic site to the public, and plans starting the necessary work Aug. 1, the agency said Tuesday in papers filed with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry. - To be open by March 2010

Sailor picked up by container ship south of N.S.
the man was picked up by a container vessel, the Maersk Missouri, Sunday about 420 kilometres south of Halifax.

Tall Ships Update:
Tall ships fest will bring fireworks, re-enactments

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Pearl Mist Update

The Pearl Mist, Built at halifax Shipyards, is currently at Shelburne Ship Repair, another Irving-owned yard, where it’s being prepared for cruising.

From: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1128312.html

MSC Cruises Adds Halifax in 2010

from: Travel Agent Central:

MSC Announces New Itineraries
MSC Cruises announced that MSC Magnifica, currently under construction, will be sailing a series of fall foliage cruises from New York and Quebec in 2010..
After arriving in New York, the ship is scheduled for four more itineraries, including a 10-night roundtrip cruise that leaves New York City on September 22 and makes calls in Sydney, Charlottetown, Quebec, Halifax and Newport.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bluenose II


has been in town for the past few days and has been giving harbour tours.

Cherry Out of Drydock


She departed yesterday afternoon, and is now tied up at Pier 28

Monday, June 15, 2009

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea state who has the right of way. Everyone below you on this list must give way to you. In Halifax, a container ship usually falls under #6

1. Not Under Command
2. Restricted in Ability to Manoeuvre
3. Constrained by Draught
4. Fishing
5. Under Sail
6. Under Power
7. Seaplane

Lets also remember the Red Green Principle "Im in my van, he's in his pinto, who has right of way?" - this principle is how merging works in NYC - im bigger so i have right of way.



Dont do this.. Despite what the colregs say, the Red green Principle wins.

Pilot Boarding


Or rather disembarking from the Ellen Knutsen, who stopped into halifax for bunkers and supplies a few weeks ago.
some day ill get a shot at the pilot station - alas i came close once, but they boarded on the offshore side of the ship.

June 8, Off Chebucto Head


The Pilot boat about to board the pilot on the Inbound Atlantic Companion, Dockwise Target at Anchor, and HMCS Corner Brooke outbound.

George's Island


Alas I was in PEI this past weekend, and Thus Missed Georges Island... But I went last year.
Here are some Pics:

George's' Island Light

Inside the Lower battery:

View to Citadel Hill:

Laid Up Ship Update

The Shipwatcher Spotted the Maria Desgagnes in the St Lawrence seaway,
Last week, and the Georgia S is currently outbound from anchorage 12 for Point Tupper.

Friday, June 12, 2009

The Sewage Plant

This is a blog about the comings and goings in the harbour - since January this has included raw sewage which is once again being dumped into the harbour since a power interuption caused a failure at the halifax sewage plant, filling it with sludge.

For those who want the latest, I suggest keeping tabs Via Google News

Allow me to add my $0.02 about the situation:

To the Mayor Peter Kelly - Last summer you took credit for the plant cleaning up the harbour, now you must also wear its failure. Do your Job, Read the report, find out what happened and how to prevent it, and most of all, GET IT FIXED, as in Yesterday.
If it takes a year to fix, then either your not working hard enough, or you built a flawed system, and should fire the people responsible, and resign yourself.

Lets hope the Chronicle Herald can get to the bottom of this.

news bits

Canada’s eye on the sea
A look inside Canadas Maritime Inteligence establishment

Halifax, Odessa ports team up
As part of a plan to offset Declines in container traffic with break bulk.

No money for peeling Peggys Cove lighthouse
Looking a bit Battered, but still functional tourists think the Lighthouse is less then Picturesque.
UPDATE:
Peggy's Cove lighthouse to get paint, repairs

Ships may plug in while in port
Your boat likely has had a shore power connection for years - now the big ships do too.

Halifax prepares to host tall ships
Their coming - July 16-20

Halifax Gateway Council elects new board