HMCS Fredericton to deploy Dec 30

HMCS Fredericton deploys on Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO assurance measures in the Mediterranean Sea. Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. (AST)

Yankee to Pier 25

The U.S. Registered tug Yankee arrived to day after noon and tied up at pier 25. She appears to be giving Oslo Norway as her destination.   She underwent a refit, and is now headed to Florida. Equipped with a towing winch, it seems her days as prt of an ATB are over, and she will go back to Cable towing.

She is making her way from the lakes, her recent locations show her passing through the welland canal, stopping in Quebec and making her way here.

She appears to be configured for barge work with slots in her now to accommodate the barge.

Photos to follow.

The Lego Maersk Tripple E

It has been at least 20 years since I last found Lego under the Christmas tree. I am pleased to report that the giddy excitement that happens when you are handed a wrapped box with that tell tale rattle of plastic bricks is still present.

This Lego kit is consistently sold out. at 1518 Pieces, there is at least 6 hours of build time no including sticking all the containers. (Above)Ship Built Minus Container stacks. (Below) Finished per kit instructions. I used a more random stack pattern on the containers, and did not fully load the vessel.

Having finished building the kit, I decided to see what i could create. By moving the superstructre back just forward of the funnels, i was able to turn the ship into a Post-Panamax Configuration.

The superstructure contains bulkheads within the hull. I left those where they were, and was able to fill one of the below deck hods with containers. this allowed for dispaly with an empty Cell.

The other experiment i tried was replacing some of the Maersk coloured bricks with regular lego bricks.  this worked, though i wasn't pleased with the look fully. I note that someone is selling aftermarket non Maersk brand Container markings on ebay - http://m.ebay.com/itm/LEGO-Custom-Stickers-for-10241-Maersk-Triple-E-Container-Ship-Intermodal-/281273366709 By Extension, if a normal container is a 8 bump brick, 20' containers could be done with 4 bump bricks...

High Nefeli now Crown II

The tanker High Nefeli has been anchored in the basin. Today she took the name Crown II

She was formerly registered in Greece and owned by Liquimar Tankers Management of Athens, Greece. With her new name she also now flies the flag of Malta 

More to follow

Australian Spirit Update

I have heard a report that a rudder was sighted on the 102 heading into halifax. If it was I didn't See it. The Rudder is definitely gone. Compared to this morning, the Ship is ballasted down Bow First.

Australian Spirit - No Rudder.

 
 (Above) Daylight Reveals that as of 9 am, there is no rudder.

Australian Spirit to Pier 9C

The Disabled tanker Australian Spirit was moved with tugs from basin anchorage to the New Pier 9 Expansion. The Transfer operation with American Spirit completed this Afternoon, and She saild for New York around 1600.

Tugs Atlantic Larch, Willow and Fir were in attendance, as was the Naval Tug Glenevis, marking the first time i can remember that a Naval Tug was involved in a commercial Operation.

Danny MacDonald Timelapsed the docking operation:
Of note, In the Chart Above, Everything (Except the Larch) is to Scale. The new Digby Ferry Canada2014 is about the same size as the Imo, the larger of the 2 vessels involved in the Halifax Explosion.

APL Scotland to Fairview Cove.

Todays G6 Service Arrival is the APL Scotland. Built in 2001 by Samsung Heavy industries in Korea. She carries 5514 teu.

This is her first visit to Halifax.

Australian Spirit to Be Offloaded

The Australian Spirit is now anchored in the Bedford Basin. there are conflicting reports that she either outright lost her rudder,or its hard to port. Given the work the stern tug did, and the vessels track, it would seem that the rudder is hard over, and not missing.

The tanker Americas spirit is due early afternoon today, and will anchor in the basin. She will then move alongside the Australian spirit, and transfer cargo so that repairs can be made. it is unclear if all the tanks need to be emptied, or if they will only empty the stern ones, leaving the bow down, and exposing more of the rudder.

UPDATE: Americas Spirit  Arrived late on the 15th, and tied up alongside Australian Spirit on the 16th and began the transfer operation.

Austrialian Spirit Enters the Harbour

(Above) Emerging from the fog off Ives Knoll (Below) Approaching the Cable Wharf.

 (Above) Lead tug Venture Sea from Scunda, (Below) Atlantic towing tugs Fir, Willow and Larch Steer.

Firebird Declared Surplus, removed from Service.

CBC News is reporting the Navy has removed the Fire tug Firebird form service and declared her surplus. Dec 4 was the last day she operated. Built in 1978, she was slated to be replaced with new harbour tugs, though that contract has yet to be tendered.

The navy Cut Auxiliary vessels service back in February.

She will likely be renamed, and sold.

AUSTRALIAN SPIRIT in need of a tow

The crude oil carrier Australian Spirit is apparently in trouble off Halifax and is need of a tow.
She sailed from Staten Island NY on the 4th, bound for York. She reportedly lost stearing last night, Aprox 75km off Chubecto head.

 (Above) Position as of 1500 AST 10/12/14

I Know no further details at the moment, but was tipped off by a Canadian Press reporter covering the story. Anyone know anything? email me info@halifaxshippingnews.ca

UPDATE: the tug Atlantic Larch is reportedly on Scene, and the Venture Sea and CCGS Earl Grey appear to be on their way.

There is a Good argument for the CCGS to be equipped for emergency towage. As the Current multipurpose buoy tenders and light icebreakers reach the end of their useful lives, they should be replaced with a Off the Shelf ice classed Anchor handling Supply tug design. Such vessels are equipped for towing operations and feature large working decks for cargo transport. A suitable crane could be provisioned for buoy work. this would Add to the Coast Guards capability, and preserve the existing service levels.

UPDATE:11/12/14 1200AST: Tanker is under tow, and expected in Halifax for repairs later tonight. They currently apper to be making about 4 knots, and are 31 nautical miles off Chubecto head, suggesting a 2000ADT eta.

UPDATE 1430AST: Halifax Port Authority says the Australian Spirit will go straight through to the Bedford Basin, where she will anchor.

UPDATE 12/12/14 0935AST: Australian Spirit was due to take her pilot at 9am. She currently appears to be off chubecto head, likely waiting for the Outbound Heather Knutsen  to clear the channels allowing more room to maneuver. I suspect She will also take on Tugs Atlantic Fir and Willow, currently escorting the outbound Heather Knutsen.

Photos from DFO via Twitter.

On Weather Watch

Strong winds and rains have shutdown pilotage operations outside the harbour.

Zim Texas appears to have anchored in the outer anchorage, and tankers Heather Knudsen and Serifos are circling. (Serifos had been at anchor after offloading at Tufts Cove over the weekend) Fusion is also out there.

HMCS Windsor on the Move.

PRABHU DAYA Stops for Bunkers

the Bulker Prabhu Daya made a brief stop for bunkers before leaving for Savannah just before 1300. She appears to have come out of the St Lawrence river, and may be loaded with iron from Sept Iles.

In 2012, the vessel was detained by indian Authorities after she, carrying iron ore, had sailed from Goa for discharge at a Chinese port. During the journey, the vessel rammed the fishing boat ‘DON-1’ which resulted in the death of five fishermen and left two injured. The fishing boat capsized and sank.

Serifos for Tufts Cove

The tanker Serifos arrived from Wilmington this morning and tied up at The power plant at tufts cove. Though it burns Natural gas, It originally burned oil and still can.

Typically a tanker tops up their oil tank once a year.

Photos to follow. Sorry for the quality - shot into the sun.

Canada 2014 Arrives

The new Digby Saint John Ferry arrived in Halifax last night, and tied up at pier 9.

Photos to Follow.

New Digby Saint John Ferry has arrived in Canada

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Canada2014, formerly Blue Star Ithaki, slated to become the replacement for the Princess of Acadia has arrived in Canada. She is reportedly going to be undergoing renovations at Halifax Shipyard before going into service, however she arrived off Saint John this morning.

It would be appreciated if any saint john readers could send me pictures. as of 9:24ADT she is inbound from the Pilot station. it also looks like she will be passing the Princess of Acadia who is sailing for Digby.

Update: Photo Above provided by Kyle L via Our Facebook Page.

From Saint John, the vessel will make its way to Digby for a sea trial and to undergo a check in its future berth. The vessel will then head to Halifax, where engine work will take place alongside the dock to perform a 72,000-hour engine overhaul and the conversion of the engines from heavy fuel to marine diesel. 

Super Yacht at the Museum Wharf..

Brand new, she is on her delivery trip to Florida. The Hull was built in Norway and is made of carbon fibre. the Hullwas Shipped over to the yacht builder Palmer Johnston in Wisconsin. She is now on her delivery trip to florida. She currently is using her yard Hull Number as a name - PJ265, but will take the name Khalilah. Photo to follow.

HMS Penelope vs HMCS Preserver - Circa 1988

September, 1988 at Vestfjorden, off the Norwegian coast

The ship on the port side of Perserver is HNoMS Trondheim. Penelope was attempting to come along side, and reduce power when one of the throtles got stuck in the Open position, causing her to turn in front of preserver.