Change of Command HMCS Halifax

While Anchored on the waterfront, HMCS Halifax is closed to the public today for a Change in Command Ceremony.

 The outgoing commander is Rowed to shore, as the ships company lines the rails to salute, and cheer him off.

Fanfare for Bunkers

The general cargo ship Fanfare Arrived this morning for bunkers. 2 additional ships are scheduled to anchor today for bunkers, marking a particularly busy day for Algoma Dartmouth.

Fanfare was built in china in 2007 and owned by Dohle Schiffahrt. at 138m in length, she is typical of the type.

APL Agate for G6

Sunday brought the weekly G6 Arrival, APL Agate to Fairview Cove. Part of American President Lines, she is american registered in Oakland California. You can see rolled up anti-piracy netting on her stern which makes the lower openings inaccessible to potential boarders.

FS Laplace Visits port.

Another French warship visit - FS LaPlace, a hydrographic survey ship is visiting Halifax. She was most recently taking part in new surveys of French Islands St Pierre and Miquelon. She also made an appearance at the Naval Rendezvous in Quebec City.

Post Refit, HMCS Halifax Open for tours this weeked.

Public tours Sat. Sun and Tuesday from 1200-1600.
Board at the Maritime Museum wharfs

Sveti Nikola I for CFIA Inspection

Arriving Last night in the Pouring Rain, the geared bulker Sveti Nikola 1 anchored for what I believe to be a CFIA Gypsy moth Inspection. She sailed at noon, and moth instpection stops typically last only a few hours.

She is sailing for St John NB.

Beate Oldendorff is Huge

The bulk Carrier Bleat Oldendorff tied up at pier 30/31 today. She takes the whole birth, coming in at 325m in length. She appears unladen, so this may just be a stop over on her way to load. She sailed from Rotterdam.

Launch day at NS MMA

Today was the annual launch day at the Maritime Museum. This is when a crane comes in to place all the small craft in the water.

(below) the crane is lifting Whim's mast into place.

Bluenose 2 has left the dock under her own power

Bluenose II sea trials have just been cleared to take place today.

Bluenose II left Lunenburg Foundry Wharf at about 10:30 a.m. and will proceed near Cross Island in the harbour for engine, steering and anchor trials. The vessel is expected to arrive back at the wharf by about 2 p.m.

Bluenose II is not under sail during the trials and will be accompanied by three support boats.

When I saw her on Saturday, I was informed the decks had been oiled, so she was inaccessible until Tuesday. See those photos Here.  Photo via NovaScotiawebcams.com

Esperanza Real

The Esperanza Real, Tied up in Lunenburg, with a Newfoundland crew aboard. The vessel appears to be headed elsewhere for conversion.

The vessel was built in 1969 as Lady Janice in Georgetown, PEI. She operated as Winchester in the Newfoundland Coastal trade as a Ferry/cargo vessel, and was recently sold by her owner Ray Berkshire LTD of Arnold's Cove, Newfoundland.

Before and After

 Fishing Trawlers end up getting converted to all sorts of stuff. Take Cape Chidley. Built in Pictou in 1976 as the Esther Boyd for Canso Seafood, She fished until 2001, and was laid up in Lunenburg in 2009. Her Surveyed market price was $225,000us.

She evidently found a Buyer, As she is now the M/Y Yacht Hop, and configured as a transport yacht from the Caribbean to French Riviera by a Frenchman.

Farley Mowat Update

The Scrapping of the EX Sea Sheppard Vessel Farley Mowat Continues in Lunenburg. You can see what she looked like when complete, in 2012 in this post.

After being seized by the Canadian Government in 2008, she was sold to cover unpaid docking fees. The Farley Mowat arrived in Halifax on December 18, 2009 for refit and was towed to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia where it was tied up as of February 2010. It was reported in November 2009 that the vessel has been sold for $5000 to Green Ship LLC, a subsidiary of Stephen Munson's organization Tenthmil to be used in a survey of the North Pacific Gyre. As of August 2010, the Farley Mowat remained berthed in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia for a refit under the direction of Cliff Hodder. In early 2013, with unpaid docking fees on the order of 90,000 and Green Ship LLC in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, the ship was sold at a sheriff's auction to an undisclosed buyer. The buyer was later identified as Tracy Dodds of Eastern Scrap and Demolition Services, a Halifax-based company; the purchase price was $9200.

The North Ferry?

The Morning File on the Halifax Examiner pointed me to the Dartmouth History blog, Where the author is seeking more information about a North Ferry Service between Tufts Cove and The North End of Halifax.

From the Ad, It looks like the service was run by J.H Dauphinee & Sons, and they ran several boats in the harbor for charter work and pleasure cruises.

TSB report released on Ghost Ship Lubov Orlova.

The TSB released its report into the loss of the tow of the Lubov Orlova. it makes for an interesting read - the planning for the journey was suspect, as was the tug, which was laid up for a period prior to use, and bareboat chartered by Orlova's owner.

The tug ran into trouble repeatedly on the trip north to St Johns, and Failed a Port State inspection in Halifax. (Photo Above), finally was cleared to newfoundland, and then departed improperly equipped and in a dubious mechanical state.

you can Read the report in PDF or  See all our coverage of this Incident Here

The Bluenose II - Looks Good

Took a trip out to Lunenburg to check out the Bluenose. She's done, Save for that rudder issue. Fundamentally, the ship is well built. The issues with this project and the cost overruns fall squarely on the project management firm and the Marine Architects, who managed to let the build get out of control, and apparently are incapable of securing required approvals in a timely manner.

Algoscotia in trouble

Word is that Algoma tanker Algoscotia has run into trouble and is being towed to Tracy Que. by two groupe ocean tugs.

No word on what the issue is, however she seems to at least lost power/stearing

Summer 2014 Search for Franklin Expidition

This summer, the Government of Canada and an unprecedented number of organizations from the public, private and non-profit sectors will partner together, using state-of-the-art technology, to locate the historic ships of the ill-fated 1845 Franklin Expedition. The 2014 Franklin Expedition will also have the added benefit of furthering our knowledge in a number of priority areas, including through the collection of important scientific information about Canada's most remote region.

Government partners for the 2014 Victoria Strait expedition include Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Navy, Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC) (an agency of the Department of National Defence), Environment Canada, and the Canadian Space Agency, as well as the Governments of Nunavut and Great Britain.

Private and non-profit partners include the Arctic Research Foundation, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society who additionally brings in The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, Shell Canada and One Ocean Expeditions as partners.

There will be a record number of ships (4) supporting the 2014 Victoria Strait Expedition: CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canadian Coast Guard), HMCS Kingston (Royal Canadian Navy), research vessel Martin Bergmann (Arctic Research Foundation) and One Ocean Voyager (One Ocean Expeditions), as well as a number of smaller platform vessels.

Some of the leading technologies to be employed will include the Canadian Space Agency's RADARSAT-2 satellite imagery, high resolution multi-beam and side-scan sonar, Parks Canada's remotely operated underwater vehicle, and DRDC's state-of-the-art autonomous underwater vehicle, which was developed in collaboration with private-sector partners.

Since 2008, over 1,200 km2 of the Arctic seabed, which is equivalent to over 2,200 football fields, has been newly surveyed and charted in the search for the Franklin ships. In 2012, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, with the support of the Canadian Coast Guard, completed new surveys of a route farther south into Alexandra Strait, constituting an alternate route around King William Island and has improved marine safety, search and rescue response time, and fuel economization.

HMCS Sackville Now Open

Hero #8 turned Over

The government announced the acceptance of the eighth of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Hero Class vessels, the CCGS M. Charles M.B.
 
The CCGS M. Charles M.B. was named after Seaman Martin Charles, S.C., M.B., of Bamfield, British Columbia, and Hereditary Chief of the Nitinat Band. Martin Charles, now deceased, devoted his life and career to saving lives. He earned the Medal of Bravery for his instrumental role in a search and rescue incident that began with a sunken fishing vessel and ended with the crash of the helicopter assisting in the rescue efforts.

This Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel will be based on the West Coast and was constructed in Halifax, Nova Scotia by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. A formal naming and dedication ceremony will follow when the vessel arrives in its home region.

Loading Mistral

The Following Photos were released by DND of Canadian Armor being loaded aboard the Mistral. She sailed yesterday morning for Gaspe.

Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping vessel Qamutik back from drydock.

The General Cargo Vessel Qamutik arrived this morning from Antwerp. She is Owned and Operated by Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping, a Nunavut Shipping Company that operates 4 vessels for Arctic Supply. A Qamutik is a sled adapted for use in arctic sea ice conditions, So its appropriate that this vessel meets Ice Class A1.

At 114m, she is typical of the general cargo vessels that trade in Halifax. She was built in 1994 in the Netherlands, And recently was dry-docked there, and is now on her return voyage. Her arctic journey will begin in Valleyfield PQ on June 25th.

French Navy Port Visit - part of Exercise LION MISTRAL

This morning brought the arrival of 2 French Warships, La Fayette and Misteral.

(Above) FS La Fayette (F-710) is a Frigate, and launched in 1996, Making her a contemporary of the RCN's Halifax Class. She was First of Class, and this type is also used by the Saudi Navy.

FS Misteral (L-9013) is an Amphibious assault ship, and lead ship of her class. She was commissioned in 2006. She features a landing craft dock, and Helicopter facilities.

DND Issued the Following Statement.

Approximately 200 Canadian Army soldiers from 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Valcartier, Quebec will take part in Exercise LION MISTRAL alongside members of the French Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force from June 16-23, 2014, in Gaspé, Quebec. Following a visit to Halifax Harbour on June 16-17, 2014, The Mistral, a French warship, escorted by the frigate La Fayette, will proceed to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River to participate in Ex LION MISTRAL.

Canadian Army soldiers, primarily from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment (1 R22eR), will board The Mistral, the French amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier in Halifax on June 18. Canadian Army troops will conduct littoral operations, including running air-land operations and battle procedures, and establishing a helicopter landing site and a beachhead. Ex LION MISTRAL will also feature a humanitarian assistance air evacuation operation that will help train expeditionary forces to respond to humanitarian disasters;

Ex LION MISTRAL will culminate in two disembarkation operations on a Gaspé beach on June 20-21 marking the end of the amphibious exercise. In response to a request by the town of Gaspé, the members of the 1 R22eR will also be offering a static display of their vehicles and equipment on June 21. The Canadian Army’s participation will include ten Light Armoured Vehicles, one combat command post vehicle, and several logistics vehicles, to include an ambulance, a recovery vehicle, and a heavy transport vehicle. These Are currently on the pier outside HMCS Scotian. Also participating are 15 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with three CH-146 Griffon helicopters from the 430 Tactical Aviation Helicopter Squadron based at Valcartier Garrison

 Ex LION MISTRAL is the first joint amphibious exercise between the Canadian Army and the French Navy.

USCG Morrow bay Visit

The USCG Icebreaking tug Morrow bay has returned to Halifax. She is tied up at Tall Ships Quay.
She was Last here in June 2013

Pioneer for the scrapers?

Straight Area Shipping News is reporting a source has indicated the bulker Pioneer is headed for the scrapers in Turkey.

A Self Discharging Bulk Carrier, Pioneer frequents National Gypsum. She was built in 1981 as Canadian Pioneer, and was renamed in 1988. She is operated as part of the Canada Steam Ship Lines International (CSLI ) fleet.

With new trillium class vessels joining the fleet, older vessels will be replaced.

Queen Mary 2 in port today.

 

The Cunard liner Queen Mary 2 made her first appearance of the year today. She sails at 5pm, and will round Georges Island before heading out. The Cunard Line, was founded by Samuel Cunard, who was from halifax, and founding partner of the Halifax Steam Boat company, which operated a series of Horse and Steam powered ferries across the Harbour.

Cape Bon to Anchor.

Cape Bon Sitting at Anchor in the Basin. She will wait her turn at Imperial Oil, and will move to the terminal once her birth is free.

CCGS M. CHARLES MB on trials in the Basin.

Hero #8 CCGS M. CHARLES MB was spotted on trials in the Basin yesterday. Here she is above, moving back to Pier 9 past the Inbound Edward Cornwallis.

Minister MacKay welcomes the CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. to the Coast Guard Fleet

Minister of Justice, Peter MacKay officially welcomed the new Canadian Coast Guard Ship CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. into service at a ceremony in Halifax, Nova Scotia today.
CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. is the sixth of nine Hero Class vessels to join the Coast Guard fleet. It will be used to support the Department of Fisheries and Oceans conservation and protection programs.

The vessel is named after Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, from Peterborough, Ontario, who served on two missions to Afghanistan. On December 5, 2008, the vehicle in which he was travelling was hit by a roadside bomb, and at the age of 23, Corporal Mark Robert McLaren was killed. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Military Valour.

She was launched back in September. File Photo.

CSAV Lluta for Fairview Cove

With Hapag-Llyods recent merger with CSAV, we now seem to be getting a regular stream of CSAV Vessels on the PA1 Service. this may continue, or it may simply be a matter of the line shifing its ships as newbuilds come on line.

Today brought the arrival of CSAV Lluta. Built in china in 2009, she is owned by Schlter K & Co, and has a capacity of 4200 TEU making her smaller then the normal vessels on the service.

CHIPOLBROK GALAXY for CFIA Inspection

The general cargo vessel CHIPOLBROK GALAXY anchored this morning for CFIA Inspection. Built in Dec 2010, she is owned and operated by Chipolbrok America, the US Arm of the Chinese - Polish Joint Stock Shipping Co. Built to handle project cargoes, she has 3 cranes; two of which are off set, and the aft one is on the Center line.

She can carry 1904TEU, and features adjustable holds.

70th D-Day Anniversary

In the painting D-Day (CWM 10558) the atmosphere is almost festive as landing craft of the 262nd Canadian Flotilla bring infantry into Bernières-sur-Mer. The Artist, Tom Wood, Served with the Navy, and was present for the landings.

200 Years ago Today..

This print (Plate No. 4 of four) depicts Shannon "leading her prize ... into Halifax Harbour, on the 6th June 1813", with the Royal Navy's "White Ensign" flown above the United States Ensign on board Chesapeake



Colored lithograph by L. Haghe, after a painting by J.C. Schetky based on a design by Captain R.H. King, RN. Published by Smith, Elder & Company, London, in 1830.
Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis, Maryland. Beverly R. Robinson Collection. The series is dedicated to Captain Philip Bowes Vere Broke, R.N., Shannon's Commanding Officer. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph

Halifax Shipyard’s Graving Dock now a National Historic Civil Engineering Site

Today the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) officially designated the Halifax Shipyard’s Graving Dock as a National Historic Civil Engineering Site. Now owned by Irving Shipbuilding, the large dry dock was constructed in the 1880s for shipbuilding and repairs. It has functioned during two World Wars and is still serving the industry today. According to the CSCE’s Program of Designation, the 173-metre-long and 24-metre-wide graving dock is a remarkable engineering accomplishment: at 125 years old it is still performing, essentially according to its original design. At the time of its construction, it was the largest dry dock on the Eastern Seaboard and could handle the world’s largest vessels.

The Graving Dock remains a critical part of Irving Shipbuilding’s operation to this day.  Currently in dock is HMCS St. John’s, one of the Canadian Navy’s Halifax-Class frigates.  Originally Irving-built at Saint John Shipbuilding, seven of these ships are now in the midst of a refit program.  It can take anywhere from 12 – 18 months to complete each ship.  The program began in 2011 and will continue into 2017.

It is fitting that the Graving Dock has been recognized for its significance from a historical civil engineering stand-point.  It has survived the Halifax Explosion, several World Wars, and the inevitable advancement of the industry from wooden to steel ships as well as the exponential growth in vessel size and weight.  It helped repair several thousand ships during World War II and now is the repair site for our Navy’s current combatant fleet, in the very shipyard that will construct the Navy’s new combatant fleet beginning in 2015.

The Ocean terminals At pier 20 are also Registered as a National Historic Civil Engineering Site

FELEX Update - HMCS Charlottetown Back to the Navy

HMCS Charlottetown is being handed back to the navy today, having completed the shipyard portion of her Felix refit. HMCS St Johns should take her place at the Machine Shop Wharf shortly.

Another random charter for Hapag Lloyd

Today brought the arrival of Quadriga to Fairview Cove. Built in 2008, she carries 3400TEU which is considerably smaller then the vessels they normally run. The recent changes may just be due to periodic maintenance, or Hapag is shuffling vessels due to new 14000TEU new-builds coming on line, and additional capacity to Halifax via the G6 Alliance.

Schwalbe from Southampton. 1600miles off Course.

UPDATE:Normally a post doesn't illicit urgent calls from the National Post. This one did, however, and so I went to talk to the Owners.

Schwalbe set sail from the Bahamas 32 days ago,with a plan to head to Bermuda, then great circle route to the UK. On the Way she encountered 60knot winds and high waves, and was blown 1600 nautical miles off course. She put into Halifax on Sunday. while underway the Container ship APL Tourmaline manged to transfer fuel and supplies via a 200' line, and notify Canadian Authorities of the Schwalbe's destination and eta. Another Vessel also was able to render assistance.

Still Noticeably shaken as he spoke to me, Charlie credits the boat with his survival at sea. Their ordeal cost them several pieces of rigging, including the Topmast which is snapped off. The plan is to sail Thursday for Lunenburg, where they will affect repairs, which they expect will take the remainder of the season.

Googleing told me the Following: Schwalbe was built in Germany in 1927, 2.25” Oak planks on Oak frames, its 57ft on the water line and about 80ft long Overall. She was once Used for fishing, and was cut in half and and an extra 4m added. as late as 2008 she was schooner riged, however the after mast was removed. I also found the video Below of her.

First visit for Bahri Jazan

This morning brought the arrival of the Bahri Jazan, another first visit for the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia Newbuild. Unlike all the previous newbuilds for Bahri, Jazan does not share the name of a predecessor who stopped in Halifax.

Spanish Mist

 The Tug Spanish Mist is currently nestled up at pier 24. She arrived Saturday from a work period in Methegan.

The tug formerly worked for Fundy Gypsum, and was used to assist ships tieing up at their Hantsport. Dock. When that operation shut down in 2011, the tug was sold.

She is now owned by I.M Tug of Quebec, and is Registered in Halifax. She was Built in 1981 by ASTILLEROS ARDEAG S.A of Bilbao Spain.