HMCS Toronto Seizes Drugs

HMCS Toronto successfully disrupted a massive narcotics shipment in the Indian Ocean as part of counter-terrorism operations with Combined Task Force 150. 

On Friday March 29, 2013, HMCS Toronto's naval boarding party searched a suspect vessel as part of ongoing maritime security operations. During this inspection, the boarding team recovered approximately 500 kilograms of heroin with an estimated street value of more than $100 million. The narcotics were confiscated without incident and will be destroyed.

As one of sixteen Canadian Armed Forces missions currently deployed around the world, HMCS Toronto is deployed on Operation Artemis, Canada's contribution to Combined Task Force 150, combating terrorism in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. The crew of the ship is among more than 1,500 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and airwomen making a difference on missions both at home and abroad over this Easter long weekend at sea, in the air, and on land.

Photographs by Corporal Malcolm Byers, HMCS TORONTO via CF Operations Flickr Set

Hoegh Masan to anchor

A rare sight, A Car Carrier Anchored in the Basin. This is likely due to autoport being closed for Easter, and also apparently for a CFIA Gypsy Moth Inspection. With Large tankers tieing up the inner harbour anchorages, the Basin was the only other option.

This is not the first time a PCTC (Pure Car truck Carrier) has been in the basin. In March 2011 Osaka Car tied up at firview cove. Hoegh Masan has also been to halifax before, in June 2011 as CSAV Rio Salado.

Dara Desgagnés to Nova Dock

The tanker Dara Desgagnés arrived on friday for the Nova Dock. After a brief stay, she tied up at Woodside, before finally taking position in the Nova Dock on Saturday.

She arrived for rudder work after damaging it in ice in the St Lawrence river

Big waves, broken containers.

Thanks to a source at halterm, ZIM Colombo arrived today with some damaged containers due to large waves. Such damage does occur fairly regularly and is ka good reminder of the power of the seas.

Operation Caribbe COncludes for 2013

The RCN today marked the conclusion of its first naval deployment of 2013, Operation Caribbe. Operation Caribbe is part of the Government's continued commitment to combat illicit trafficking in the Caribbean Basin and Eastern Pacific. As part of this commitment, Her Majesty's Canadian Ships (HMCS) Kingston and Summerside conducted a 36-day deployment while a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft flew patrols from January 7th to 19th to help suppress trafficking in international waters.

 This is the second time HMCS Kingston has deployed on Operation Caribbe. HMCS Kingston , along with HMCS Goose Bay, conducted surveillance operations in the Western Caribbean from March 2 to April 6, 2012. This deployment marks a number of achievements for the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels including the embarkation of a United States Coast Guard law enforcement detachment team and the use of the side scan sonar to search for sunken objects associated with counter narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean Basin. Primarily crewed by Naval Reservists, Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels are mainly used for coastal surveillance and patrol.

This recurring annual operation directly supports the Canadian Armed Forces mission to defend against threats and security challenges to Canada and North America and its approaches. Moreover, Operation Caribbe helps strengthen international and continental partnerships and demonstrates Canada's specific commitment to improve security in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and to combat transnational organized crime. It also creates opportunities to partner with other nations to suppress criminal activity at sea and keep illegal drugs off Canadian streets.

New Ferry Up for Approval; delivery in April 2014

An item on todays HRM Council agenda is the Approval of the Tender for the Construction of a 4th Harbour ferry. The lowest (only) bidder meeting specifications was A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd., for Total Tender Price of $ 4,158,299.96

Metro Transit currently operates three passenger ferries (Dartmouth III, Halifax III and Woodside I). A fourth passenger ferry has been identified as a priority investment to improve the harbour ferry service between Woodside and Downtown Halifax. The fourth ferry is also recommended in the Council approved Metro Transit Five Year Strategic Operations Plan, and further recommended in the Strategic Ferry Operations Plan. This ferry will permit Metro Transit to double the peak hour service and add new off peak service on the Woodside route; these service improvements cannot be achieved with three vessels.

Tenders were publically advertised on the Province of Nova Scotia website and closed on February 22,2013.Representatives from four(4) Nova Scotia shipyards attended the Bidders Conference, but only one(1)bid was received.The other attendees to the meeting were contacted and cited a lack of capacity at present. The Likely included Abco of Lunenburg, and Pictou Industries Ltd (who built the previous 3 ferries) A.F. Theriault and Son Ltd. will commence work on notification of award, with an anticipated delivery date of April 1, 2014. The Drawings and Engineering will be done by E.Y.E Marine Consultants, who designed and managed construction on the previous 3 vessels.

Buried in an Appendix at the end of the documentation sent to Council, is a note that the existing ferries were constructed in 1978 (Dartmouth III, Halifax III) and 1986 (Woodside I) and will soon approach the end of their economic lifespan. The 4th Ferry is viewed as the initial step in a new build programme, Metro Transit therefore requires a new ferry design to serve as the foundation for recapitalization of the current fleet and an additional vessel for the Woodside service. HRM, after the 4th ferry is built, will have 4.9 million remaining in Ferry reserve fund, enough for another boat.

Approval today is all but assured, as the Voith Schnider drives have already been approved, and ordered.

HMCS Ville De Quebec

 HMCS Ville De Quebec sailed into Halifax, around 1 pm.

CCGS Constable Carrière Launch Video

CCGS Constable Carrière Launched

The 4th Hero Class vessel,  CCGS Constable Carrière, was launched from Halifax Shipyards today. The Operation was scheduled to begin at 4 pm, and Constable Carriere began sliding down the ways around 5 pm today. she was in the water and on her way to Pier 9 by 6pm. Below are some photos.

Video Will Follow.

 (Above) Ready To Go
(Below) Sliding down the Ways

 (Above) Still Sliding
(Below) Almost to the Water

 (Above) Attaching lines to the Tugs
(Below) Towing to Pier 9

CCGS Constable Carrière to launch tomorrow afternoon

The 4th Hero Class vessel, the CCGS Constable Carrière, is scheduled to be launched from Halifax Shipyard tomorrow at 1600.

From there work will continue at Pier 9

Paris Express Outbound.

Bulk Costa Rica

Bulk Costa Rica Arrived late ysterfday afternoon, and sailed last night. High winds caused her to steam off of Halifax for a better part of the day, while pilotage services were suspended.

She is a new ship, delivered to her owners in July 2012

Atlantic Towing Buys Atlantic Kestrals Sister

last summer, Atlantic towing Announced they had purchased the Jaya Supreme, To be come Atlantic Kesteral. An Article in the March issue of Tug and OSV Magazine lets slip at the End that Atlantic Towing has also purchased her sister ship Jaya Soverign. No ATL Bird name has yet been assigned.

You can read the Article here (PDF).

In A seperate Article (PDF), In the Jan/Feb issue of Offshore Support Journal, ATL explains that the vessel was purchased to meet the tender requirements for supporting the Drill Rig West Aquarious working off Newfoundland. Given the Tight timelines, the Purchase of an available vessel makes sence rather then building a new one from scratch. They expect both vessels to find work as the Hebron field is developed.

Cyprus Galaxy makes a quick Stop

The Tanker Cyprus Galaxy arrived around 11am, and sailed at 13:30 for Belledune.

Jan Van Gent.. Again.

Another Shot of Jan Van Gent for Nirint, Unlike other Nirint vessels she likes to tie up bow forward, Since her cranes are on her Starboard side, As opposed to other vessels where they are on the port side.

You can find Previous Nirint Visits Here

Ships Passing

Hapag Llyoyd vessels Passing in the Approches. Rotterdam Express outbound Fairview Cove to New York, Los Angels Express, Inbound to Anchorage 1 from Cagliari.

Update
Los Angeles Express At Anchor

New Container Service to Halifax.

APL today issued a release announcing a new service to Halifax. The G6 Alliance started in March 2012 to provide service in the Asia-to-Europe trade and will now be expanded to cover the Asia-to-North America East Coast trade. The members are: APL, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha and Orient Overseas Container Line.

The New AZX Service will route from Laem Chabang – Singapore – Colombo - (Suez Canal) – Damietta – Cagliari – Halifax – New York – Savannah – Norfolk – Cagliari – Damietta – (Suez Canal) – Jebel Ali – Singapore - Laem Chabang

The two services AEX (The New World Alliance) and PAX (Grand Alliance) which currently call in Halifax at Fairview Cove will not be affected by the new cooperation and will continue to sail unchanged. These represent the bulk of the Hapag Llyod and OOCL Trafic to Fiariview Cove. The New Service may also cause OOCL and Hapag Lloyd to reshuffle vessels. No word on which pier; Halterm or Fairview Cove the new service will use.

Star Kilimanjero

The Star Kilimanjaro arrived at pier 28 this Morning. She is an open hatch general cargo bulk carrier with two 70 MT gantry cranes on deck and 11 box-shaped cargo holds intended for the carriage of baled pulp, ore, grain, cement, paper, packaged lumber and other solid bulk cargoes.

She was built in 2009 and is owned By Grieg International, and operated by their subsitdury grieg Star Lines, both of Norway.  You Can see the vesels particulars here (PDF)

Crew Jump Ship

I have received word  that two crew members of the Egyptian vessel Wadi AlArab jumped ship yesterday - presumably before it sailed. One of them was apparently apprehended in Amherst. I have heard no other reports of this incident from other sources.

Google however did lead to a CBC report from April 2003 that this vessel was quarantined off Halifax, as the first mate had died, apparently from Anthrax. The Stoies can be found Here and here.

Atlantic Superior Departs

Atlantic Superior left Pier 26 this morning where she spent the winter, and headed for National Gypsum in the Basin.  As vessel who sails the ocean, but also spends a great deal of time in the great lakes, Superior ties up for 4 months when the St Lawrence Seaway is Icebound Inland of Montreal. The 4 month closue allows ships to undergo a period of maintinace, without affecting schedules.

The Seaway is set to open march 22. Atlantic Superior is bound for Montreal, ETA 0600 on the 22nd.

UPDATE 03/19: She sailed today National Gypsum for Montreal. (Photo Above)

IT Intrepid sails for NF

The cable ship IT Intrepid arrived back at Pier 9 yesterday and tied up along side IT Interceptor.(above)

She sailed tonight at 1900 for Newfoundland Where The ship will be used to recover and repair a broken fiber optic cable in the Cabot Strait, near Rosé Blanche.

Though owned by a Canadian firm, IT Telecom's vessels are both registered in the Bahamas so a coasting license was required.

Lief Ericsson departure

Originally scheduled to sail on the 13th, Lief Ericson finally departed around 1600 today.

On the 13th, Departure was initially scheduled for 1330, but by 1900 she was scheduled to sail at 22:30. She had spent the day in the Nova Dock in the down position (below).

This morning, her departure was expected at 1100 but that time came and went as well. She exited the Nova Dock, and turned in the Narrows without the use of tugs.

Wadi AlArab loading grain

The Panamax gearless bulker Wadi AlArab at pier 28 loading grain. Since the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly, grain is once again being exported from Halifax. Wadi AlArab is probably the largest vessel to export grain to date.

She is 70,000DWT, built by Daewoo in 1995, and is operated by the National Navigation Company of Egypt.

Onego Trader

Onego Trader at Pier 31. As a general cargo vessel, she can carry bulk, break bulk and container cargos. Dutch Registered, shes 132m long, and comes in at 8800dwt.

Onego vessels are fairly regular callers to Halifax, though not on a scheduled service.

Nordpol

Zim backup

Zim Barcelona is currently anchored off pier42 mostly empty. Zim Rio Grande is currently in the outer anchorages. Zim Barcelona departed pier 41 earlier but was unable to sail due to high seas and wind shutting down pilotage operations. Zim rio grande is unable to enter for the same reason.

One vessel did enter port. The offshore tug Ryan Leat has a pilotage exemption

Naval Ship Updates

 (Above)HMCS Halifax having addtional Kit Fited as the final phases of the FELEX Refit are underway.

(Left) Front on view of HMCS Fredericton, the second vessel to leave the shipyard.

(Bottom)HMCS Athabaskan finishing her 5 year work period at the dockyard.

 

Contracts Signed for Final AOPS Design

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, along with the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Associate Minister of National Defence, today welcomed the signing of the definition contract with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. for the Arctic/Offshore patrol ships project through the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) at an announcement at halifax Shipyards.

This is the next contract signed after the ancillary one announced in July 2012 and it will be followed by a construction contract in 2015. This definition contract is a task-based contract divided into seven work packages (or tasks) that could be awarded. With this contract, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. will refine and complete the Arctic/Offshore patrol ships design to production level prior to construction in 2015. The total potential value of the contract is an estimated $288 million and it will support up to 200 jobs.

Once completed, the definition contract will enable Irving Shipbuilding Inc. to know exactly what to build and how to build it. It will ensure that once the build contract is signed, construction of the ships will begin.  At the same time, work will begin on improving and upgrading the Irving Shipyard to begin full ship construction in 2015.

During the initial discussions regarding the Navy’s Arctic/Offshore patrol ships, Canada and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. agreed that the first contract should be a smaller preliminary contract, followed by a larger definition contract to complete the Arctic/Offshore patrol ships design to production level, and subsequently an implementation contract to build and deliver the ships.

This “design-then-build” approach will mitigate both technical and cost risks by reducing unknowns, and therefore risks, for the building phase. Once completed, the definition contract will enable Irving Shipbuilding Inc. to know exactly what to build and how to build it. It will ensure that once the build contract is signed, construction of the ships will begin immediately. This approach is also aligned with the NSPS, which is built upon a more collaborative and risk-sharing relationship.

On July 10, 2012, the Government announced the awarding of a $9.3-million (HST included) preliminary contract to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. Within this preliminary contract, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. reviewed the existing Canadian-developed Arctic/Offshore patrol ships design and specifications, prepared an execution strategy and delivered a proposal detailing the scope and cost of the subsequent definition contract.

Finally, on March 7, a definition contract with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. was signed. The total potential value of the contract is an estimated $288 million (taxes included). The definition contract is a task-based contract divided into seven work packages (or tasks) that could be awarded. The first two tasks have been authorized and their total value is approximately $136 million.
The definition contract will last 30 months and we are on track to start cutting steel in 2015.
The Arctic/Offshore patrol ships will be used by National Defence to conduct armed seaborne surveillance in Canada’s economic exclusion zone, including in the Arctic.


The definition contract signed with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is a task-based contract divided into the following seven work packages (or tasks) that could be awarded. With this contract, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. will refine and complete the Arctic/Offshore patrol ships design to production level prior to construction in 2015.

1. Project Management – This task will include all work required to ensure effective planning, management, execution, monitoring and control, and reporting of the definition contract work.
2. Engineering Design Phase 1 – This task will include the system engineering activities, integrated logistical support analysis and supplier engagement activities that are necessary to demonstrate that the preliminary Arctic/Offshore patrol ship design meets all of the contract design specification requirements with acceptable risk and within the cost and schedule constraints.
3. Engineering Design Phase 2 – This task will include the system engineering activities, integrated logistical support analysis and supplier engagement activities that are necessary to demonstrate that the Arctic/Offshore patrol ship design is a complete and integrated solution that meets all the contract design specification requirements with acceptable risk and within the cost and schedule constraints.
4. Engineering Design Phase 3 – This task will include the system engineering activities, integrated logistic support analysis and supplier engagement activities that are necessary to demonstrate that the Arctic/Offshore patrol ship design is a complete and integrated solution that meets all of the contract design specification requirements and is ready for the start of vessel construction.
5. Project Implementation Proposal Development – This task will encompass all the procurement, engineering, production and estimating activities required to develop the detailed project implementation proposal, including the required plans and a substantive cost for the implementation contract.
6. Test Production Module – This task will include all the work required to establish and verify production processes and produce a test module prior to beginning vessel construction.
7. Long Lead Items Procurement – This task will encompass all of the procurement and supply chain activities required to procure long lead items, which must be purchased prior to the start of vessel construction.

Once completed, the definition contract will enable Irving Shipbuilding Inc. to know exactly what to build and how to build it. It will ensure that once the build contract is signed, construction of the ships will begin.

HMCS Sackville gets Federal Money

Minister MacKay announced a one-time government contribution of $240 000 to the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust in support of the naval memorial HMCS Sackville, and the Canadian Naval Memorial Project. Further, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, announced a contract award of $455 400 to Akoostix Inc. for a Sonar Processor.

Minister MacKay took the opportunity to announce the contribution of $240 000 in support of the naval memorial HMCS Sackville, and the Canadian Naval Memorial Project.

"HMCS Sackville is a witness to our past and reminds us of our Navy's accomplishments during the Battle of the Atlantic," said Minister MacKay. "Canadians can be proud of our Navy's rich heritage and our contribution to preserve the vessel for the benefit of future generations."

"The young men who sailed in the North Atlantic on corvettes like Sackville proved critical to victory in the Battle of the Atlantic, which was the key campaign of the Second World War," said Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison, Commander Royal Canadian Navy. "I am extremely pleased that the Government of Canada is contributing to the Canadian Naval Memorial Project."

The Canadian Naval Memorial Trust was formed in 1982 by a group of retired Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) members who sought a forum through which they could preserve, in a living fashion, the history of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). In 1985, the Government of Canada designated Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS)Sackville as Canada’s official naval memorial, dedicated to telling the story of the RCN and to preserving Canada’s naval wartime heritage. The Canadian Naval Memorial Trust operates HMCS Sackville as a living memorial and interpretation centre, which depicts the life of Canadian sailors who served in the RCN to keep the sea lanes between Europe and North America open during the Second World War.



Despite efforts at ongoing maintenance and support, weathering and the environment contributes to the continued deterioration of the ship. Over the past 10 years, this deterioration has intensified and the Trust has indicated that the long-term preservation of the Sackville can only be assured if the vessel is placed in an environmentally controlled berthing facility that is free from corrosive elements.



To that end, the Trust embarked upon the Naval Memorial Project, which seeks to construct a Naval Memorial Centre on the waterfront in Halifax, Nova Scotia with funding coming from private donations and other levels of government. The Naval Memorial Centre will house HMCS Sackville in a berthing facility that is publically accessible and yet protects the ship from continued environmental degradation. The $240,000 contribution from the Department of National Defence will support the Trust’s funding needs for the design of the Naval Memorial Project building(s).



The Naval Memorial Project will ensure the preservation of HMCS Sackville so that she may continue to serve as a reminder of the sacrifice of so many Canadians who died on the seas defending the freedoms that Canadians today enjoy.


The CNMT was formed with a mandate to preserve the Second World War era Flower-class corvette as a Naval Memorial and museum, providing professional interpretation of the ship within the larger scope of the Royal Canadian Navy's own history.

OOCL Hong Kong

HMCS Windsor in the Basin

Windsor in the Basin on Friday. She put to sea in early evening.

Vecht Trader

From last week. Vecht Trader for Melfi