M/V Miner Removal Contract Awarded.

The Nova Scotia Government today announced that RJ MacIsaac Construction, an Antigonish-based company, was awarded the contract to remove the ship by November. The work is estimated to cost $11.9 million.

RJ MacIsaac Construction was one of seven companies that responded to the Request for Proposals (RFP) in March. The bidding process closed April 29.

The proposals were reviewed by a panel of experts to help ensure a fair and transparent process. The panel included representation from the provincial and federal governments, including health and safety officers, officials from the Department of Environment, the provincial procurement office, and Transport Canada.

A point system was used to evaluate the bids considering many factors, including price, method of removal, occupational health and safety considerations, environmental consideration, and worker accommodation. Prospective bidders were made aware of the process, the criteria, and the point system during a mandatory meeting held in advance of the RFP launch.

RJ MacIsaac has until November to remove the wreck. They will work with the province to develop a project schedule. The community will be kept up to date on the project's timeline.

Next Steps in Shell Exploration

After last years Seismic work for shell (This years fleet is under contract to BP) Shell has announced they have chartered the Stena Icemax to drill 7 test wells in the 2015 season. The vessel is Currently working in the Gulf of Mexico.

Shell has also contracted Furgo GeoSurveys to perform a seabed survey, to identify drilling sites and hazards on the sea floor. this is approximately 45days of work, and Furgo will use the Coriolis II (Currently tied up at Pier 9) to do the work this summer.

French Yacht Paolyre.

Designed by Joubert/Nivelt and built in aluminium by the OCEA Shipyard, Sables-d’Olonne, this 32m Super Yacht is custom-built. With its retro lines and Art Deco-style interior, it combines private and charter use. (Presumably you can charter it when the owner is not using it.)

PAOLYRE  has a maximum speed of 18.0 knots and a range of 4 000 nautical miles at 10 knots. Accommodation for 10 guests in 4 staterooms

Find out more at her website http://www.paolyre.com/en/index.php

Another Super Yacht ties up in Halifax

 

the Yacht To-Kalon arrived today and tied  up infront of the Maritime Museum. Built by the Burger Boat Co. in 2008, she is 30m long, carries 4800HP (About the same as Atlantic Oak), has a max speed of 27knots, and can carry 23,000l of fuel, which is good for a range of 625nm.

You can see some interior shots of the vessel at Superyacht times.  To Kalon is Greek for "most beautiful". Robert Mondavi has a Napa valley Vineyard with the To Kalon name.

Bread

As Mega yachts go, Bread is pretty impressive. Reportedly owned by a major North American bakery Owner, Bread was built in Ontario, Reworked in Florida, and is now back on her way to the lakes.
Very modern, She seams to suffer from an identity crisis of wanting to be both a sailing yacht, or a Steam yacht. (See Amazon (Number 10) for an example of an actual period Yacht of this type)

Bread is Tied up next to EcTug, if you want to go have a look. Shipfax has more history on her.

Blue Putties in Boston

A reader was kind enough to send me some photos of the Blue Putties in the graving dock in Boston.

This is also the dock that did the first repair work on the Oceanex Connaigra

HMCS Montreal On Trials

Having completed her FELEX refit, HMCS Montreal has spent the last few days on Workups. Montreal is the third Ship to go through the FELEX process, and was returned to the Dockyard back in September. She now Joins Halifax And Fredericton as being complete, and on to workups.

Montreal was used as the test vessel for the cyclone, so she likely carries the modifications for this Helo, as does Halifax. Fredericton retained the Seaking layout, though likely had the deck strengthened.

Herring Fleet is back

Today brought the return of the herring fleet. The end of may marks the return of the Seiners to the Halifax Waterfront every year. Today 5 vessels arrived, and all are regular members of the fleet.

Back to Pier 25 for Maineport Pine

Siesmic Support vessel Mainport Pine Returned to Halifax just after noon. She will likely take on supplies, and head back out to join the fleet.

Blue Putties, In Drydock, In Boston.

I Recived an email this morning form a reader who noticed the BluePutties in Drydock in Boston.
In the past, Marine Atlantic work has been done in the NovaDock at Halifax shipyards, however I have heard that the Nova Dock is having some sort of issue and is not serviceable. It may also be that the shipyard does not have capacity given its renovations, Final work on the Hero Class, and Ongoing FELEX Work.

Davie in Quebec Has a Drydock large enough, however I belive it is occupied by newbuilds/and or the Louis St Laurent.

2 More Ferries for HRM

On today's council agenda is a tender award for Two Additional Harbour Ferries. These Boats will replace Halifax III and Dartmouth III which have been in Service since 1978.

The Construction of the 2 new ferries will be done by  A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd.,
for a Total Tender Price of $8,835,527 with planned delivery of the first and second ferries in April 2015 and April 2018 respectively;

The 4th Ferry, Christopher Stannix, was Recently delivered by A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd, and the new boats will be built to the same design. The 2015 build is expected to Replace the Dartmouth III, as the Halifax III recently underwent a period of Extended Maintenance.

2 Addtional bids were recived - Aecon Atlantic bid $11,440,695.63 for the 2 boats, and Ocean Industries (Part of Groupe Ocean) bid $14,082,912.84

NCC RABIGH anchored in the basin

The Products Tanker NCC Rabigh anchored in the basin last week, presumably to wait her turn at Imperial Oil. Owned by National Chemical Carriers, which is part of Bahari, the Saudi National Shipping Company, she is typical of the tankers that have been tying up at the terminal lately.

She was built in 2007 in Ulsan South Korea.

Virginia for G6

Todays G6 Arrival to fairview cove is the Virgina, formerly APL Virginia. Owned by NSC Schiffahrts GmbH, she is of the same yard and Design as Zim Haifa, Zim Beijing and Zim Savannah, all of which are regular callers in Halifax.

She was built in 2005.

Photo to follow.

Hero #9 Launched - CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M

The 9th and Final Hero Class Vessel, the CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M, was launched saturday morning. She will be transported to the West Coast with Hero #8 later this year. The Last of the 9 Hero Class boats, She also has the distinction of being the last vessel to be launched on those particular launching ways, which have existed for close to 100 years. When Halifax Shipyard renovations are complete, ships will be launched via a semi-submersable barge at the pier 9 end of the yard.

Photos to follow.

Atlantic Towing gets Slice of Hiberina Work

Atlantic Towing Limited  announced today that it has secured a new ten (10)-year firm contract, plus a total of 15 years of options at the Charterers' discretion, with ExxonMobil Canada Properties and Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC) for four new state-of-the art Platform Supply Vessels operating out of St John's, NL.  The first ships for the contract will be delivered in 2016 and will join Atlantic Towing's current fleet of eight offshore support vessels in Atlantic Canada.  The new contract means 100 new jobs at Atlantic Towing's offshore fleet home port of St. John's, NL.

The new ships, to be designed and built by Damen Shipyards Group of the Netherlands, will deliver a number of environmental benefits including Clean Design designation with a diesel electric power plant, the latest environmental control equipment, wave piercing bow design, and enhanced crew comfort.

Secunda also won a Piece of this work, and will be adding an additional vessel.

Seismic Fleet is Here

BP's Siesmic Fleet is here. This year, the operation will consist of Mainport Pine and Scotian Sea working as the supply vessels for the Fleet. Western Patriot ; Western Neptune; Western Pride; Western Regent; Geco Diamond; and Ocean Odyssey are the Western Geco Seismic Vessels, and Tugs Beverly M1 and Atlantic Fir will serve as Guard Boats.

Several of these vessels were operating here last year for shell, on the ajoinging parcel.

Veendam at Pier 31

With Shore power installation occuring at the cruise terminals, Cruise ships are tieing up at pier 31.
Today's arrival is Holland America Lines Veendam, on her second visit of the season.

Aboard the Christopher Stannix

(Above) Panorama of the New Bridge -Compare the View of the New Bridge with that of  one of the Older Ferries
(Below) Closeup of the consoles The 2 sided console sits in the middle of the wheelhouse.

 (Above) Wheel House from Outside (Below) benches let water drain away, deck is less cluttered.

 (Below) Inside there is more headroom, and Lifejacket racks have been moved to the sides to free up space. There is also a crew washroom through the door to the machinery space.

 

 (Below) One of the 2 Cat engines that power the Ferry.

 

Amistad in Lunenburg

The Tall Ship Amistad arrived in Lunenburg this afternoon. She is built as a replica of the Slave ship Amistad Circa 1780.

She is in town for the filming of the TV mini series Book of Negro's, which will happen in Lunenburg and Shelburne, with sailing in between. A coasting trade licence was required, and Was requested for the period between May 2 and May 18.

(File Photo)

Other Comings and Goings

Today Brought the Arrival of the Car Carrier Fedora for Autoport. Fedora is a regular caller in Halifax.  The (Grossly?) named tanker Sea Saliva also tied up at IOL. She appers to be only partially loaded.

Trialing the New Ferry

Workups with crew began today with the New Ferry Christopher Stannix. She was operating in the approaches and off the Woodside Ferry terminal this morning.

Ocean Charger to Load Cable.

The US Flagged heavy lift ship Ocean Charger arrived and tied up this morning to load project cargo.
This is the the first stop for a vessel of the sort at pier 9 in a while, though with recent upgrades, we should se more of this type of activity.

Ocean Charger is Owned and operated by Pacific Gulf Marine, and is unique with her 2 120ton Lattice boom cranes. Shipfax reports she will be fitted with cable tanks, and loaded with submarine cable.

Christopher Stannix Has Arrived

Halifax's new ferry Has Arrived in Halifax. She sailed from the builder Friday night, and as of 8am Saturday, she was rounding clarks Harbour, making 7.5 knots. She arrived at woodside at 4:20am Sunday morning.

Meet the New Ferry May 14th

On Wednesday, May 14, Metro Transit will officially unveil the new Christopher Stannix harbour ferry. Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and the family of Christopher Stannix  will unveil the first new ferry to service Halifax Harbour in over 25 years.

In the days Prior to the 14th, Staff will be trialing the boat in the Harbour. The new ferry will ensure that residents will have increased service on the Woodside/Halifax route and will go into service on May 20. The updated schedule for the Woodside Ferry Route can be found here: http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/Schedules/documents/FerryWoodsideWebSchedule.pdf

 To properly celebrate this momentous occasion, Metro Transit's harbour ferry service will be ENTIRELY FREE for all travellers on May 14th. Below is a list of events for Wednesday, May 14:

• 10 a.m. Christopher Stannix Unveiling Ceremony Nathan Green Square, next to Halifax Ferry Terminal 
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Public touring of the Christopher Stannix Halifax Ferry Terminal 

All day and evening of May 14th FREE FERRY SERVICE Woodside to Halifax and Alderney to Halifax free for all passengers

We Offered a Construction update Earlier

Photo At top Via Bay Ferry Man

Secunda Wins Contract to support Hibernia

Secunda Canada is proud to announce that Secunda has entered into an agreement with Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd (HMDC) and ExxonMobil Canada Properties for a five year firm contract, plus a total of 15 years options at Charterers’ discretion, to support the Hibernia and Hebron fields offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.

Idar Hillersoy, CEO of Secunda made the announcement stating, “This contract is an important next step in Secunda’s plans for fleet renewal and growth in the Canadian market”. Secunda will be building one offshore support vessel of Rolls Royce, UT 782WP design, with delivery end 2015.
Vessel design and concept development has been developed through close collaboration with our part-owner Siem Offshore, Rolls-Royce and Secunda. The design has been optimized bow to stern for the demanding scope and harsh Grand Banks conditions including all the latest technologies related to safety for vessel crew and operation. At the heart of the vessel is the robust hybrid propulsion system which increases the vessels operational flexibility and reduces fuel consumption. The vessel’s main role will be the transport of cargo, with ancillary roles including ice management, and anchor handling.

 Secunda has supported ExxonMobil Canada’s offshore operation support vessels in Atlantic Canada for nearly two decades. Secunda’s Director of Business Development, Chris Pitts commented, “We are proud of our record on safety and reliability with HMDC and ExxonMobil Canada, and we look forward to continuing to deliver the exceptional service levels for which Secunda is known. This contract re-enforces our long-term position in the Canadian market”.

Odd Ship Tied up in Sheet Harbour.

The E-ship 1 Delivered Windmill parts to Sheet Harbour This past weekend. The Vessel is rather unique as it is propelled by the wind. Her first voyage was in 2010. The ship is owned by the third-largest wind turbine manufacturer, Germany's Enercon GmbH and is used to transport wind turbine components.

The E-Ship 1 is a Flettner ship: four large rotorsails that rise from its deck are rotated by the ship's engines. The sails, or Flettner rotors, aid the ship's propulsion by means of the Magnus effect — the perpendicular force that is exerted on a spinning body moving through a fluid stream.

Veendam - Second Cruise ship for the Second year.

 
This mornings arrival of the Veendam serves as notice that the cruise season is well under way. The Cruise Season began on Sunday with the arrival of Celebrity Cruises Infinity.

For the second year in a row, Veendam was the second vessel of the year to arrive. Today she must have thruster issues, as she took the tug Atlantic Willow to help her tie up at pier 31, despite the calm conditions. This is likely due to the work which is underway to configure the cruise terminal for shore power.

More Offshore Parcels up For Exploration

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has issued Call for Bids NS14-1. This Call consists of four (4) parcels on the Scotian Slope in water depths between 100 m and 4,100 m. Bids must be received by October 30, 2014 before 4:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time. “The parcels included in the NS14-1 Call for Bids have potential for both oil and gas.

The CNSOPB has conducted a comprehensive geoscientific assessment of the Parcels, as well as a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the greater area. Supportive information, as well as regulatory information, can be found on the CNSOPB website at www.cnsopb.ns.ca.
The successful bidder(s) will be awarded an Exploration Licence subject to federal and provincial Ministerial approval.

Please note I  have some questions about the process and am awaiting answers, SO expect an update.

Update on This Years Seismic Surveys

With the Seismic Fleet starting to arrive, I have received information on who to expect.
Mainport Pine and Scotian Sea are both tied up at Pier 24/25 and will be working as the supply vessels for the Fleet.

Western Patriot is also tied up at Pier 26, and will be joined by Seismic Vessels Western Neptune; Western Pride; Western Regent; Geco Diamond; and Ocean Odyssey.

Tugs Beverly M1 and Atlantic Fir will serve as Guard Boats.

Ships Streaming In this Morning.

After a recent lull, this morning brought a stream of traffic. First up was APL Pearl on the weekly G6 Assignment to Fairview Cove.

Next was the general Cargo Ship Jana, Who was last here in January. She went to Anchor, and May be carrying more rails for CN, As was the case her last stop.

Finally Albanyborg Arrived to anchored in Anchorage 1.

Photos to Follow.

Top 10 Warship Visits

Halifax is the Home to Canada's East Coast Navy. As a result, We get lots of Warship Visits. Here are the Top 10, However you can see them all with the Visiting Ships Tag.

1. HMS Dauntless (D33)

2. USS New Mexico - After surfacing at the pole

3. USCGC Morro Bay USCG Icebreaking Tug.

4. USS Fort Worth LCS-3  the Second LCS of the Type. The First LCS USS Freedom also stopped by

5. HDMS Esbern Snare Danish Command Ship.

 6. PLAN Zheng He - First Chinese Vessel Visit for Halifax.

 7. HMS Scott - British Royal Navy Survey Vessel.

8.San Giusto Italian Amphibious Assault Ship

9. USS Wasp American Amphibious Assault Ship

10.HDMS Ejnar Mikkelson - Danish Arctic Patrol Vessel.