Happy New Year!

Thanks for making 2011 the best year yet for Halifax Shipping News. 2012 will be even better.
Stay tuned!

Mississipiborg Grounded Twice in Pictou

Shipwrecks Log is reporting:

The 135 meter long, 8950 dwt container ship Mississipiborg went aground at Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Mississipiborg was attempting to leave port laden with kraft paper at low tide in strong crosswind when it became stuck in the silt and sand. The vessel was refloated two hours later on the incoming tide and returned to harbour where it turned around before attempting to leave port again. On the second attempt, the Mississipiborg went aground again a short distance beyond the spot of the first grounding. The vessel remained aground until the high tide where the Mississipiborg was refloated and departed. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution being released.

I will See if I can find photos of the incident.

Tarago

PCTC Tarago turning prior to backing into Autoport. This was her first visit to Halifax. Tarago is a town in NSW Australia. She was built in 2000, and is owned by Wilhelmsen Lines, Which is why she is red in Colour, as opposed to the majority of Wallenus Wilhelmsen Lines Vessels which call, that are green in Colour.

This photo was sent to me by Jamie. If you have photos you want to share, Post them to our facebook wall @ www.facebook.com/halifaxshippingnews

New Vessels On Hapag Lloyd PAX Service

Looks like Hapag Lloyd has rotated a couple of vessels calling on Halifax.
Today Marks a first time appearance for Rio De Jenaro Express. Lacking the Distinctive Hapag Lloyd markings, she is a relatively new charter from Seaspan.

Another New Vessel scheduled to appear on the run is the Pusan. Its an odd name, since it appears to be lacking the Express part of her name. A Quick search shows she began her life as Pusan Senator, and as of March 2011 was operating as MSC Kenya. She is Due Feb 20. - By this time she may acquire an "express" name

Merry Christmas!

and a Happy New Year.

Snow

Just in time to give us a white Christmas. The port is closed as of noon tomorrow, so Maresk Penang arrived today, instead of the routes normal Saturday stop.

Home For Christmas

CCGS Earl Grey returned to Halifax on the 19th. She was previously undergoing a period of work, including Hull Painting at Shelburne Ship repair.

Shelburne Ship Repair was taken over By Irving shipbuilding, and underwent several Upgrades to accommodate larger vessels. Earl grey was one of the First vessels to be serviced at the newly refurbished yard.

More Traffic For Pier 9

CSL Spirit tied up at pier 9a this morning. This is likely a brief lay up period, before she sails to replace Atlantic Superior at work at Sept-Iles on shuttle service, running iron ore from the pier to larger ships anchored in the bay.

As reported at Shipfax in November, Atlantic Superior will be sailing for Halifax for Hull Work - Probably scheduled after the departure of the Louis St Laurent from the Nova Dock.

Getting Ready for Christmas

CCGS Alfred Needler Looking festive. CCGS Hudson also featured Red and Green Lights, and Several ships at the Dockyard are well lit.

Universal Amsterdam

M/V Universal Amsterdam, a 22000DWT bulk carrier, Arrived fro bunkers Yesterday evening and departed overnight. A relatively new vessel, she was launched on 13th January 2009 and delivered Dutch owners Universal Marine in March 2009.

She is A Self Unloader, however this is done via Crane and Clambshell Bucket, And Difers form the self unloaders typically seen at National Gypsum, which feature unloading booms and conveyor belts.

Busy Day for Pier 9

The Normally quiet Pier 9 has a Busy day today with 2 arrivals.

Jumbo Shipping's Heavy Lift Ship Daniella is due to load Steam Turbine Components. Both ISI's Components, and Jumbo Shipping are regular callers in Halifax - Though lately heavy lift operations Have been occurring At Halterm - Including the Locomotive shipments, which occurred at Pier 9 in Previous years.

The Chemical Products Tanker Sakarya is also Due at Pier 9 this afternoon. Wilson's Fuels has a Spout there to offload to their tank farm on Barrington Street.

GSF Grand Banks for Repairs

The Drill rig GSF Grand Banks Towed by Atlantic Hawk and Maersk Chancellor is due at the pilot station at 0800 Dec 11. She is bound for Woodside for Repairs. Maersk Detector damaged the rig in late November when she struck her off Newfoundland.

She was built as Bow valley 3 For Husky Energy, by St. John Shipbuilding. She is currently Owned By Transocean, and is Drilling in Huskey Energy's White Rose Field. Since the incident, a Scheduled work period for January was moved forward.

GSF Grand Banks

Maresk Chancellor

Atlantic Hawk


Updated Images

HMCS Kingston, Back To work

After a period of layup and then maintenance, HMCS Kingston sailed yesterday presumably for some trials. She spent a portion of the last night anchored in the Basin. The 12 Kingston Class vessels were built as Minesweepers, But also excel as Survey and diving platforms - Their main issue is their slow speed - about 15 knots, which is required for mine-sweeping, but limits their usefulness in other duties.

As A result, a Proposed mid life refit was shelved, and the MCDV's will likely have a shorter then normal life. MCDV Refers to their designation as Maritime Coastal Defense Vessels.

Its Wet Out.

Atlantic Condor Riding out the storm at anchor. Algoma Dartmouth Tied up at Pier9, to be more protected.

Wind south 40 knots with gusts to 50 in the Approaches. Wind becoming west 45 near noon with gusts to 55 then diminishing to 35 early this evening. Wind diminishing to Northwesterly 20 after midnight A few showers ending near noon.

Live Tweeting the Halifax Explosion

Live tweeting is such an awkward term for tweeting events that happened 94 years ago, but I suppose it is less awkward then Historical re-enactment Tweeting..

If you Follow @hfxshippingnews on twitter, you will see I am live tweeting the Halifax explosion. A tweet will occur at the same time key events took place, 94 years ago to the minute.

We all know the story of the Halifax explosion. The Mont-Blanc Laden with explosives, collides with the Imo in the narrows. The Mont-Blanc catches fire, explodes, and flattens the north end, killing two thousand people. What most people don't realize, or appreciate is that every incident has a timeline, and that the players in this incident are already in motion. Your Morning routine is much the same as it would have been in 1917.

Today, vessels are at anchor, and there are expected arrivals and departures, for the most part, residents of Halifax pay no attention. They will get up tomorrow morning, go through the morning routine, send the kids to school, and go off to work. As the tweets come in, you can experience, 94 years later, how your ordinary day, became extraordinary.

Update:
I See @ns_archives will also be doing this with the tag #hfxexplosion

Another USCG Visit

USCGC Thunder Bay (WTGB 108) is due at the Pilot at 10001230.
She is A Bay Class (all class members are named for Bays) Icebreaking tug, based out of Rockland Maine. She arrived in fog, and Tied up at pier NB (AKA November Bravo, Navy B).

Update:
Mac, of Shipfax, informs me she will winter in the Great Lakes, providing Ice Breaking services.

Photos later today.

M/V Miner Update.

As you may recall, the M/V Miner ran aground on the shoals off Scatarie Island, after a towline broke. The ship was uninsured, so the the salvage attempts were called off after removing pollutants at the Taxpayers expense. The Plan was to figure out what to do in the spring.

This October 13 (Steve Wadden - Cape Breton Post) Photo Shows there likely wont be much left by spring.

Unique Visitor

The Eidsvaag Vinland Was found tied up at pier 25.
Vessels with the low slung wheel house normally ply the canals and rivers of Europe, were low bridges are a Navigation issue, however she is Apparently Canadian registered to Norcom Marine of Newfoundland, and owned by Norwegian interests.

She Apparently carries fish food for fish farms between Norway, and Newfoundland.

USCGC Campbell

USCGC Campbell (WMEC-909) is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter based at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. She tied up at Pier Navy B4 this morning.

On Her transit of the inner harbour, It appears she had a keyed mike, as she was the only vessel that could be heard on VHF Ch12.

Welcome to Halifax, Enjoy your stay.

Misc Traffic

Bulker Torm Pacific Arriving to anchor in the Basin.

MM707 Towing a Towed sensor Array

CFAV Quest, Sailing in Circles in the basin. recent reports have her returning from a t rip to European Waters. There are photos of her in the Kiel Canal.

More Men on Ladders - boarding a Frigate:

The Rickmears Soeul also tied up at halterm with a load of wind turbines this past week. I have Junk Photos (mostly fence) so I wont bother posting them.

Island Joiner

The Ferry Island Joiner tied up at Sackville Landing today, Still Flying Newfoundland colors. She was retired by the Provence of Newfoundland this spring, and replaced by a new build vessel. Built in 1973, she most recently served the Long Island-Pilley’s Island run, and was sold for $17,777 and change, plus HST, to a private individual.

Off to the Scrappers?? Nope!

Well the Previous report was all wrong.. Marine traffic Showed ABDALA as a RORO Container Vessel, with a destination of Alang. Rather she is a new build General Purpose Bulk Carrier, owned by Cuba. See more at Shipfax.

The RORO Container Vessel ABDALA is currently inbound for Bunkers. She gives her destination as Alang, India. Could this be her final Stop before the Scrappers?

Photos to follow on her arrival.

Pilot Boarding

This Activity normally takes place of Chebucto head, While Moving, and out of sight of most on lookers. Today the Pilots Boarded the Tanker Serifopoulo to dock her at Imperial Oil.

Clipper Legend now Harbour Legend

It seems many of the Nordic Tankers fleet has been renaming to harbour XXX as of late. This likely corresponds with a change in charter.

Clipper Legend tied up at pier 9 Wednesday night, and is now reporting her name as Harbour Legend.

Arthur Lismer, Halifax, and the War.

Most people are familiar with grand paintings commemorating great victories and heroes of wars. These hang in galleries around the world, Including Examples such as Benjamen West's "Death of General Wolf", which hangs at the National Gallery of Canada.

Beyond these Examples, Fewer people Are familiar with the War Art programs of the first and Second World Wars. Artists received official Commissions form the government to document the war effort. Some of these paintings are triumphant, But most show the dramatic effects of war. The First World War had a great influence on the Group of Seven. A.Y Jackson and Frederick Varley served with the infantry, and the style of their work is different in the pre and post war periods. - Post war their landscapes almost look dead.

Arthur Lismer, another founding member of the group, spent the War in Halifax. He was at the time serving as the director of the Nova Scotia College of Art. He received a commission to Document the Activities in the Harbour.

Lismer; HMCS Grilse on Convoy Duty

Lismer; The Transport Aquitania

Lismer's works detailed the comings and goings of ships, Harbour patrols and Mine sweeping, and serve as a vibrant reminder that the war touched us here on the home front.

One Final Footnote - The Jagged paint Schemes on the ships was called Dazzle. It was meant to Disrupt the eye and make ships courses harder to determine. It was Proposed by Painter Norman Wilkinson (who painted Canada's Answer), In part to Discredit the Cubist Movement.

 Olympic with Returned Soldiers

CCGS Private Robertson V.C.

The First of the Coastguards Midshore Patrol vessels will be Private Robertson V.C.

From the Press Release:
In a solemn event at Irving Shipyard, Minister Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia and Minister Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans unveiled the first of nine ‘Hero’ Class Mid-shore patrol vessels currently being built for the Canadian Coast Guard. The Coast Guard ‘Hero’ Class vessels are named after Canadian heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice for Canada. The first vessel in the class to enter service will be the CCGS Private Robertson V.C. Members of Robertson family accompanied the minister on the tour.

Here She is on Oct 18, as yet unnamed:

(Photo form shipsstarthere.ca)

HMCS Preserver Collides With Nova Dock

HMCS Preserver Collided with the Nova Dock at Halifax shipyards while turning to tie up at the Naval Dockyard. Reports are No Injuries, But Both Vessels are damaged - Preserver in the Bow Area.

The Scotia Dock Appears to have keel blocks laid out, Likely signalling an upcoming job. The Photo Above was taken Minutes prior to the Collision.

More via CTV News

Caribou and Smallwood on the Beach in Alang

The Former Newfoundland Ferries Caribou and Joseph and Clara Smallwood (renamed Caribo and Smallwood, when transferred to a foreign flag) Have arrived at their fate - the beach In Alang, India to be broken up. Both Ships Stopped in Halifax for bunkers on August 31, before heading for the Mediterranean (Smallwood gave Port Said Egypt as the Destination, and Caribo Gibraltar).

The Image was emailed to me last night by a Source.

Ghost Ships

In The Spirit of the Day, I present this link to the Top 10 Ghost Ships. The List includes Some well known stories, as well as the Story of the Young Teazer, which was an American Privateer Schooner preying on sea trade of the British Empire off the coast of Halifax. She met he end in Mahone Bay.

For More on the Young Teazer See:
In shallow waters: The final resting place of the Young Teazer
and
Wikipedia

Standing in Line

With Atlantic Compass entering the Narrows outbound, OOCL Antwerp and Oakland Express Had to wait in the inner harbour for her to pass. Large vessels are restricted one direction at a time due to the Narrow passage to avoid collisions. (This rule came into effect as a result of the 1916 Halifax Explosion)

Clipper Lancer

At Anchor, Bedford Basin

Tug Penn No. 6 with Barge #120

Tanker barges are a common sight in US waters but much less common elsewhere. US Crewing regulations require a much larger crew fro a tanker of similar size, However a Tug requires a much smaller crew, and the barge, an even small crew then the tug. LoopHole...


Towing the barge in.

Turning.

Taking the barge up on the hip.

Tieing up at the Dock.

Wind Swept Piers

AFL New England and Sichem Beijing Both arrived and went directly to anchor.
Presumably the winds were too high to Tie up.

OOCL Hong Kong, being considerably larger was able to tie up Without Issue.

Dartmouth III Upgrades

The ferry Dartmouth III Now Carries AIS. you can now watch her ply the crossing Between Halifax And Woodside. Besides now being visible on our ship tracker, Dartmouth III Will be more visible to incoming and outgoing commercial traffic - a big safety/collision avoidance benefit.

Dartmouth III Went in for periodic Maintenance and inspections Beginning Sept 19.

UPDATE: Looks like all 3 Ferries are getting the upgrade. Ferry Woodside 1 showed up last night on AIS.

Point Vim Returns

The tug Point Vim arrived this evening an tied up at Woodside.
Point Vim was a tug stationed in Halifax for many years at ECtug, and was sold several years ago, and now operates with the same name out of Newfoundland. Her sister Point Vigour, now operates out of Quebec as Molly M1.

She Sailed at 1700 for Bay Bulls NF. It looks as though she delivered so cargo to Woodside.