Louis St Laurent Arrives in Halifax

The CCGS Louis St Laurent arrived in Halifax. and tied up at the Coast Guard Base in Dartmouth.
She damaged her bow in a Colision with the Maple Lea.

Photos to follow. 
(Below) looks like a patch was applied in Sydney. This was likely to keep the water out in an area where the hull was breached. The remaining damage looks to be to the deck railing.

Lyubov Orlova Epirb Activated

reports are that The beacon’s location is 51-46.00N and 035-41.00W (B).

Time for a Class Survey

The bulk carrier White Pearl anchored this morning for a class survey. A class survey is performed by a classification society, which basically inspects ships and issues a certificate that they are safe. This certificate ensures the insurance companies that they are insuring safe vessels, and are often used by flag states as well.

White pearl is opened by Arselor Mittal the metal producer.

Progress on non combat NSPS Ships

The Federal Government today announced a series of preliminary contracts valued at a total of $15.7 million for the joint support ships, the CCGS John G. Diefenbaker polar icebreaker and the offshore fisheries science vessels.

As part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS), these initial agreements will enable Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. to:
assist in the progression and assessment of the joint support ship design options;
initiate a review of the polar icebreaker design; and
refine the offshore fisheries science vessel design and specifications; and produce construction plans and determine requirements for material, subcontractors and labour.

As part of the non-combat package under the NSPS, the joint support ships will replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels. The new polar icebreaker, the CCGS John G. Diefenbaker, will be delivered to coincide with the decommissioning of the Canadian Coast Guard’s heavy icebreaker, the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, and the offshore fisheries science vessels are intended to replace the CCGS Teleost, the Alfred Needler, and the W.E. Ricker.

Enos Collins

The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron race committee vessel is named the Enos Collins, and today the federal government named a building in Amherst after him.

“Enos Collins was part owner of three privateer ships, including the Liverpool Packet, which captured 50 American merchant vessels for the British,” MP Armstrong stated. “Not only did he contribute immensely to our victory in the War of 1812, but he was also well-known in the community for his contributions to several charities in the Halifax region.”

As a young boy, Enos Collins went to sea aboard his father’s ship. His ambition eventually led him to become part owner of multiple vessels trading out of the thriving seaport of Liverpool, Nova Scotia. During the War of 1812, Collins was a co-owner of the Liverpool Packet, which became famous for capturing 50 American merchant vessels for the British. At that time, he also founded the Halifax Banking Company, which is known today as the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
For more information on Enos Collins and the War of 1812, please visit 1812.gc.ca.

Hero Class #5 Rolled Out

Hero Class #5 was rolled out this morning for painting. She will become the CCGS G. Peddle. Hero #4, CCGS Constable Carrière, has been tarped to protect form overspray, though there are clearly some wind issues.

The Vessel is named after Canadian Coast Guard Chief Officer Gregory Paul Peddle, S.C., of Spaniard’s Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. Chief Officer Peddle and his colleagues, Senior Engineer Pierre Gallien and Leading Seaman Raymond C. Welcher, lost their lives on October, 15, 1989, when their fast rescue craft overturned in an attempt to rescue a diver off Middle Cove, Newfoundland. Chief Officer Peddle was awarded the Star of Courage.

Asopos At Tufts Cove

The Tanker ASOPOS  tied up at the Tufts Cove Generating Station 

Maple Lea towed to Sydney after breakdown

General cargo vessel Maple Lea reportedly suffered engine failure off Nova Scotia on Feb 17 13 and was adrift north of Prince Edward Island. According to AIS, vessel was en route to Skaw, Shetland.

Maple Lea is tying up at Sydport in Sydney ns. She was towed in with the tug Atlantic Beach and the tug Spanish Mist. They're currently transferring generators and heaters from the Beach to the Maple Lea.

Update 02/22:
I have since learned that the Maple Lea was Carrying Potatoes from Summerside, and may have been struck by a Coast Guard vessel

Update 02/23
She was struck by the Louis St Laurent. Don Merritt photos of damage to both ships bellow.


More to follow.
Thanks to Peter C. For the tip

Lyubov Orlova Spotted

Unmanned passenger vessel Lyubov Orlova was spotted on Feb 19 13 in the vicinity 49 22.70N 044 51.34W in North Atlantic. Vessel is drifting towards Europe. It appaers the vessel was located by the US NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, who are tasked with producing Geographic inteligence, such as navigation charts and coast pilots.More can be found at msi.nga.mil

Update: added additional chart showing 200nm limit

Tanker to NSPower Plant at Tufts Cove

The Tanker ASOPOS will be ariving and tieing up at the Tufts Cove Generating Station around 0200 tomorow morning.. The plant was originally built as an oil fired plant, but more recently was converted to Natural Gas. It retained the ability to burn oil, and tankers occasionally still tie up there.

There were 2 tankers in 2009, and NT Dartmouth, Halifax's ex Bunker Tanker made occasional stops as well.

Asopos was last in New York

(Left) File Photo of Buterfly tying up at Tufts cove.

Atlantic Companion Had Issues

Atlantic Companion arrived yesterday, and apparently had an issue inbound. Tugs were dispatched and she anchored in Anchorage 1, before moving to Fairview Cove around 10pm. ACL Vessels are typically able to dock unassisted, unless there are high winds, or a mechanical deficiency.

Cabot Arrival to Port of Montreal

This Timelapse shows the arival of the Oceanex vessel cabot in Montreal.

North Contender

USCGC Seneca visits

USCGC Seneca tied up at Dockyard jetty NC3. seneca arrived this morning and will depart on the 19th.

FELEX Updates

with HMCS Fredericton clear of the machine shop wharf, HMCS Montreal is scheduled to move to Machine Shop wharf on Mar 15. This long delay between Fredericton and Montreal is likely to allow completion of the new structure on the wharf. Charlottetown is scheduled to go into graving dock April 1

USCGC Seneca to visit Tommorow

Hot on the departure of USCGC Northland on the 14th, the 16th Will bring us the arrival of USCGC Seneca, also a Medium Endurance cutter. Seneca was last here in January 2011 (file photo)
Seneca is bassed out of Boston.

The New Yarmouth Ferry?

Quest Nav revealed its plan to introduce the never delivered Singapore laid-up Norman Leader between Yarmouth and Portland if the company is selected by the NS government to operate the route. Nova Scotia administration issued a tender in November after years without ferry link since last operator (Bay ferry) stopped in 2009.

Quest Nav will operate the ferry as the NovaStar and expect it can be operational this summer.

Singapore Technologies Engineeries, the Singapore based shipbuilder, terminated a contract with LD Lines. The contract involved the construction of a cross Channel ferry, to be called the Norman Leader, that should have cost $180 million.

LD Lines said in a statement that the yard had not responded to demands specified in the order. The company says capacities of the vessel would not have corresponded with those specified originally and that a delay in the construction also had prompted LD Lines to cancel the order. The yard will refund LD Lines $129 million and it will refund a further $15 million under certain conditions.

The Ferry is Still tied up at the builders yards in Singapore.

Quest Nav has contracted Maritime Holdings Group (MHG) of Hollywood, Florida, to manage the crewing and hotel operations on Nova Star. Since 1992, MHG has operated 12 cruise and ferry vessels around the world. MHG currently operates four passenger ships: Pinar Del Rio and Maverick, two high-speed ferries operating between south Florida and the Bahamas; Ola Esmeralda, a 500-passenger cruise vessel in the Caribbean;  Ocean Dream, a 1,200-passenger cruise vessel, which sails on three 100-day, round-the-world cruises each year from Yokohama, Japan.

The Other respondee to the tender is Maritime Applied Physics Corp. They manufacture several designs for hydrofoil fast ferries. These would likely not be in compliance with the tender, and would probably suffer from similar limitations to the CAT.

Last Visit for the Renate Schulte

I have recived word that today is the Last stop in Halifax for the Renate Schulte. She is still suffering from a broken bow thruster, and needs more repair work.

She is due to be replaced by the Micheal A. The Michael A is a unique ship, in that it is run my a german outfit called Sky Sails, who outfit their ships with giant kites, to use the wind to save fuel.

You can find out more about the Michael A and her sky Sail at http://www.skysails.info/english/media/photos-and-graphics/mv-michael-a/

Natcha C

The Natcha C is a Ice Class A1 Multipurpose dry cargo vessel, strengthened for heavy cargoes, and equipped for the carriage of containers. She is Operated by Caisbrook Shipping, Whos website offers a Spec Sheet with General Arangement drawing of her.

She was built in 2002, and has been working cargo at Pier 27 for the past few days.

Halifax SHipyard Improvements

(Above) As part of the FELEX program, a new structure is being built at the machine shop wharf. this will provide closerr access to tools, and faclities to workers, as well as serve as a platform for boarding vessels. Construction has recently started, and the frame has takken shape.

(Below)Also work on the Pier 6/7 expansion has commenced with the removal of the existing pier face.

Work continues on Hero #4

The CCGS Constable Carriere continues pre launch work. she has been rolled back to allow Hero #5 to be rolled out for painting, however this has likely been delayed due to weather.

Sanderling At Autoport

Container and RORO vessel Oceanex Sanderling. She makes a twice weekly trip between Halifax Halterm and Autoport, and St Johns NF. Here she is approching the dock at Autoport.

USCGC Northland departs feb 14

USCGC Northland is scheduled to depart Halifax Thursday at 1045am

Navy spy released from navy

Upon the recommendation of General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, has approved the release of Jeffery Paul Delisle from the Canadian Armed Forces and has revoked his commission.

"The unauthorized disclosure of national and allied intelligence is both unconscionable and intolerable. Mr. Delisle's actions were clearly not consistent with the high degree of integrity and loyalty to Canada that we, as Canadians, expect from our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "Following the sentencing on Friday, the Canadian Armed Forces immediately undertook the required and appropriate action to review his file and ensure that all appropriate administrative measures are taken."

"Mr. Delisle's actions were neither excusable nor defensible. He broke the law, violated our core values of integrity and honour, and his actions were reprehensible," said General Lawson. "He has demonstrated that he is neither worthy of the trust and confidence of the Crown, nor of his country. As a result of his misconduct Mr. Delisle has been released from the Canadian Armed Forces and his commission has been revoked."

Mr. Delisle's release for reasons of "service misconduct" will result in the following additional consequences:


-- Mr. Delisle forfeits his Canadian Forces Decoration (a medal);

-- Mr. Delisle forfeits his entitlement to severance pay; and

-- Action will be taken to recover his pay from the date of his being
arrested and taken into custody.

On behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, the Governor General grants commissions to all officers of the Canadian Armed Forces. These commissions are held at the pleasure of and can be revoked by the Crown.

Fusion

Fusion runs a regular service from Halifax to the French islands of St Peirre and Miquelon. She Previously traded on the route under the name Fort Ross, And was renamed when she was replaced by Dutch Runner, a nearly identical vessel with different owners when the contract changed hands. She returned to service when the contract came back. The Nills B also filled in when Fusion was undergoing maintinance.

The Vessel is Very flexable, Having holds,Cranes, Container Mounts, and a ramp allowing RORO cargos.

Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook, was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the Royal Navy. He was Killed by Natives on the island of Kona Hawaii, 234 years ago today. Why do we care about James Cook? He was responsible for the earliest charts of much of the east coast of Canada including Halifax - His chart of which is below.
 

From Wikipedia:

During the Seven Years' War, he served in North America as master of Pembroke. In 1758, he took part in the major amphibious assault that captured the Fortress of Louisbourg from the French, after which he participated in the siege of Quebec City and then the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. He showed a talent for surveying and cartography, and was responsible for mapping much of the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River during the siege, thus allowing General Wolfe to make his famous stealth attack on the Plains of Abraham.

Cook's aptitude for surveying was put to good use mapping the jagged coast of Newfoundland in the 1760s, aboard HMS Grenville. He surveyed the northwest stretch in 1763 and 1764, the south coast between the Burin Peninsula and Cape Ray in 1765 and 1766, and the west coast in 1767. At this time Cook employed local pilots to point out the "rocks and hidden dangers" along the south and west coasts. During the 1765 season, four pilots were engaged at 4 shillings a day each: John Beck for the coast west of "Great St. Lawrence", Morgan Snook for Fortune Bay, John Dawson for Connaigre and Hermitage Bay, and John Peck for the "Bay of Despair."

His five seasons in Newfoundland produced the first large-scale and accurate maps of the island's coasts and were the first scientific, large scale, hydrographic surveys to use precise triangulation to establish land outlines. They also gave Cook his mastery of practical surveying, achieved under often adverse conditions, and brought him to the attention of the Admiralty and Royal Society at a crucial moment both in his career and in the direction of British overseas discovery. Cook's map would be used into the 20th century—copies of it being referenced by those sailing Newfoundland's waters for 200 years.

Another sailboat sunk in the northwest arm

 Looks like the recent weather has sunk another sailboat in the northwest arm. The Captain Morgan went down south of the dingle, just off the boat launch.

This Boat apprently has a history of bad luck, and has ended up on the beach twicein the past.

Bounty Hearings

THE USCG is holding hearings today into the sinking of the Bounty. Our coverage of the Bounty Sinking can be found in our first post and Second Post.

The Chronical Hearld has the following stories:
Horrific last moments for Bounty victims
Christian family seeks truth

And will be Live Blogging via  Bounty captain’s competency at issue in Coast Guard hearing
Updates Below are based on that live blogging, and may be incomplete. G-Captain has a reporter at the hearings, and I will provide links to thier summary as well.

 UpdatesTestimony Day 1:
Chief Mate Testimony indicates that the Ships Stability Letter was not Followed/Accurate,and that bilges required regular pumping- once or twice every 4 hours. Modifications were made to the ship moving fuel tanks, and structure Aft during September/October refit, as well as replacing some above waterline planks. She also carried addtional lead balast aft.

On the 28th, making 10 knots, twice normal speed. sail damaged by wind, and is fureled. around 4pm, port fuel tank glass breaks, spilling fuel, port engine and generator go down. pumps running continuously, dirt and dust is accumulating in filters. Lack or port generator lead t ofuel starvation of starboard engine.

water was coming in between planks above waterline port side by main and mizzen masts, above engine and tank rooms. Imersion suits were put on when water was between decks. The ship rolled, and most were thrown off. Seas were 28feet, wind 40knots at time of capsizing.

G-Captain has a good summary of the days testimony.

Day 2
Today will feature a woman from the bounty office, as well as a representive of the shipyard who did work on the bounty before she sailed.

The bounties director of shoreside operations basically testified that. The ship was not a passenger vessel and only crew sailed aboard her. Bounty was surveyed in 2012 for the insurance company. The bounty had o written procedures, and most details of the ships operation were left up to the captain.

After a cg inspector who inspected the tank work testified. He declined to perform a full hull inspection as one was not required until 2015.

Next up was the director of Tallships America. He testified that walridge was competent, but he would not have sailed in those conditions.

Finallay a project manager from boothbay harbour shipyard testified. He stated and provided photos showing significant deterioration of hull frames and wet rotten and mouldy wood. O repairs were made and additional work would be done the next year. He advised walbridge not to sail in heavy weather. The bad areas were only 6 years old indicating a poorly executed repair at the booth bay yard.

Day 2 coverage via gCaptain


Day 3
The first witness of the day was an expert in measuring ships. he covered the issue of the Vessels tonnage certificate. Basically the rules for measuring the volume within the ship. with the staircase removed, the ship was over 300tons, and would require a load line certificate, which would require her to undergo a more stringant examination, and require all defcencies to be repaired. with the stair in place, the bounty was 266tons, and was clear.

 Day 3 also brought the testimony of the former Bothbay shipyard manager. He testified that there was damage, however he had seen much worse, and felt the repairs were sufficient. Having worked with woodenships fro the previous 40 years, he had been involved with the 2001 reft where thebellow waterline planking was replaced with oak, and the 2007 refit, where the above waterline planking was replaced with fir.

The Last witness of the Day was the bountys marine surveyor, and Naval architect. he testified that he designed the pump system, and survyed it, he was also friends with captain wallbridge, and they spoke frequently. He felt he was not in a conflict of interest. He was requested to perform a survey for the insurance company. He spent a day onboard, and did a cursory inspection, and testified he would need to do more, but it is unclear if he ever communicated this with anyone.

Day 3 Coverage at gCaptain

Night Shift

File Photo

Ships Passing.. Due to storm delays

 (Top) Canada Express (Middle) Heads outbound from Fairview Cove. San Francisco Express (Bottom) backs in after waitting at anchor in the basin. Both Ships were delayed over the weekend by weather. Maersk Patras Tied up at Pier 42 this morning. She normally calls on Saturdays.

USCGC Northland arrives

USCGC Northland WMEC-904 arrived today for a port visit. The Medium Endurance Cutter is based out of Portsmouth Virginia. She was commisioned in 1984.

You can Visit her website at http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cgcNorthland/default.asp

USCGC Northland Due tomorow

The US Coast Guard medium endurance cutter USCGC Northland WMEC-904 is due for a visit tomorrow

Photos to follow

Truck Flip at Halterm

Yesterday there reports of a Truck rolling over at Halterm. The driver was ok. And no other details were provided.

I Have since learned that one of the twist locks broke off the spreader on Crane 4 (the one closest to pier 36), releasing the container from one end 8 ft high and the rest fell. The container hit the chassis on its side, and rolled the chassis and tractor over.

More halterm crane details

We previously reported that halterms new cranes were scheduled to ship on June 8. We now know they will be delivered by ZPMC's vessel "Zhenhua 19" registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The information is contained in an application for a coasting trade licence to allow the vessel to
be used to reposition the old smaller gantry crane from pier 42 to pier 36 at the Halterm. This confirms the fate of the crane at pier 42, Which would have been in the way, and would need to be moved or scrapped.

 We also now know that the cranes are due July 15, based on the dates provided in the Costing licence Application.

CCG Announces the Acceptance of the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V.

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway, announced the acceptance of the the third of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Hero Class vessels, the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V., built by Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

“Our Government is proud to name our ships built in Canada after Canadian heroes,” said Minister Ashfield. “Not only does their construction support job creation and local business, once in action, the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. will enhancemaritime security along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.”

CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. was named after Corporal Robert Gordon Teather, C.V., a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police diving team in Surrey, British Columbia. Corporal Teather rescued two fishermen trapped in the hull of their capsized boat. This heroic rescue occurred in the early morning hours of September 26, 1981. Corporal Teather passed away November 14, 2004. For his actions Corporal Teather was awarded the Cross of Valour.

The Hero Class vessels are named for decorated soldiers, veterans and police officers as well as employees of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard. By naming these after Canadian heroes the Government of Canada hopes to encourage future generations to learn about Canadian history, culture and geography.

The Hero Class vessels are 47 metres in length with a displacement of 257 tonnes and a top speed of 25 knots.

The CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. will be based in Central and Arctic Region where it will enhance maritime security along the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Seaway system. A formal naming and dedication ceremony will follow when the vessel makes its way to its home region.

2013 Cruise Schedule

 
The 2013 Cruise schedule has been released. Begining in May , and running until October, All of the Usual ships return, Including the weekly trips by both Massdam and Carnival Glory.

Notable in Absence is Disney Cruise Lines, Who sailed here last year for the first time.
I Note that the schedule is available at http://www.cruisehalifax.ca/our-visitors/index.html however there was not a press release issued - this suggests that the schedule is not yet complete, however it is typically released in Early Febuary.

HMCS Athabaskan Moved

HMCS Athabaskan was moved deeper into the dockyard, sometime in the past few weeks. It appears that whatever refit work was remaining is either complete or being done concurently with the re-attachment of the kit that was removed prior to refit. Some Antenas that were removed can be seen in place.

HMCS Preserver returns

Pier 9 expansion work continues

After a break, it looks like work is continuing at pier 9 with the placement of large boulders at the end of the pier. These boulders were reclaimed from the old gravel pier 9, andstockpiled untill now at the edge of the site.

Are we prepared for a major offshore oil spill?

The two Atlantic offshore petroleum boards and federal entities are not adequately prepared to respond to a major oil spill if needed, says Scott Vaughan, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, in his report tabled today in Parliament. The audit examined the activities of the Canada–Nova Scotia and the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador offshore petroleum boards, and the support provided to them by Transport Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, including the Canadian Coast Guard.

“While the Canada–Nova Scotia and the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador boards have adequately managed the day-to-day environmental impacts of offshore oil and gas activities, they and their federal partners need to do more to prepare for a major oil spill,” said Mr. Vaughan.

The boards can take over managing the response to a major spill if the responsible offshore oil and gas operators fail to respond appropriately. However, the audit identified several deficiencies that limit the boards’ ability to step in effectively. For example, the boards and federal entities have not tested their collective plans or collective capacity, and roles and responsibilities are not always clear in their response plans. In addition, the Newfoundland–Labrador Board has yet to finish an assessment of operators’ spill response capabilities, begun in 2008.

The audit found that the boards have applied some good practices when assessing and approving offshore projects and activities. They have also taken adequate steps to ensure that offshore operators comply with environmental requirements. However, they have not established or updated policies and procedures to guide environmental assessments, and they are not systematically tracking measures to prevent or reduce environmental impacts. They will also need to determine how to adjust to changes to the environmental emergencies regime and the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.

“The boards’ responsibilities have been significantly affected by recent changes to the federal environmental assessment process,” said Mr. Vaughan. “I am also concerned that some basic working arrangements for responding to environmental emergencies have yet to be sorted out.”

The chapter “Atlantic Offshore Oil and Gas Activities” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.

For more information, please click here.

Lief Ericson To the Nova Dock

 Lief Erickson passing Pier 9D on her way to the Nova Dock.

Ville de Quebec on International Exercises.

HMCS Ville De Quebec is taking part in an composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Aircraft Carrier USS Harry Truman, as a memeber of the 1st Combined Destroyer Squadron (1CDS) 1CDS members currently include USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Gravely (DDG 107), the German ship FGS Hamburg (F220), and the Canadian ships HMCS Ville De Quebec (FFH 332) and HMCS Preserver (AOR 510); USS Monterey (CG 61), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), and USS Kauffman (FFG 59).

COMPTUEX is a series of training scenarios designed to certify HSTSG as a deployment-ready fighting force capable of completing operations in overseas theaters. The exercise will be evaluated and graded by Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTA) through warfare scenarios that will include simulated surface, air undersea, strike and electronic attacks.

In addition, events such as maritime interception operations (such as visit, board, search and seizure [VBSS]), live-fire evolutions, and strike group formations will also be assessed by CSFTA. 

German frigate FGS Hamburg (F220) (front) and Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332) move in formation during a simulated strait transit. Hamburg and Ville de Quebec are underway with aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) conducting a composite training unit exercise in preparation for 1st Combined Destroyer Squadron's (1CDS) upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Kameren Guy Hodnett/Released)

Lyubov Orlova adrift in international Waters

It appears the Lyubov Orlova will simply drift away to become another countries problem. After being towed away from the Searose FPSO by Atlantic Hawk, the Tow was handed off to Maersk Challenger, another St John's based AHST, chartered by Transport Canada.

Rather then return the ship to Port - no port appeared willing to accept the Lyubov Orlova, Maersk challenger, towed her beyond the 200nm limit, and cut her free in international waters. The Lyubov Orlova will drift untill she is Sunk by weather, hits another country, or is claimed by her owners.

Transport Canada maintains that the vessel is still the responsibility of her owners; The Owners likely will not go after the vessel as the cost will be more the the value of the vessel; and if she doesnt sink, the Lyubov Orlova will become another countries problem.

Given the rash of scrap vessels going adrift, The federal Government should pass a law requiring any vessel being towed from within Canadian territorial waters, to outside to carry sufficient insurance for recovery, prior to being allowed to leave port.

UPDATE: It is now reported that the Maersk Challenger took the tow, however the Tow line parted in heavy seas. It was decided to let the Lubov Orlova drift, as she was no longer a danger to off shore installations, nor in Canadian Waters.  The owner claims he intends to recover the vessel, however Transport Canada forbids him from doing so with the Charlene Hunt.

Arrivals

Halifax Shipyard Buys land from Province

Irving Shipbuilding will buy a Barrington Street water lot that has been leased from the province for $1 every five years since 1982. The lot is surrounded by a larger water lot already owned by Irving Shipbuilding. This purchase is necessary for the company to meet requirements for the federal government's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. The lease was transferred to Irving Shipbuilding when it bought the shipyard in 1994.

An independent assessment was completed by Turner Drake. The market value of the property was determined to be $95,000. Irving Shipbuilding must purchase the lot to have a deed of licence as it starts federal shipbuilding projects.

Based on the description, I would assume the lease is the area where the Scotia Dock II was located.