No Heavy Lift, Heros to Sail Today via Canal

Word reached me last night that the last 2 hero class vessels would be sailing on their own to Victoria, Departing today. CCGS M Charles M.B and CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M are currently working up in the basin, with CCGS M. Charles M.B giving Portsmouth Virgina as her destination, with an eta on the 14th.

Both vessels Have sailed, and will be heading to Victoria Via the Panama Canal.
You can follow their Progress Via MarineTraffic.com at the following links: CCGS M. Charles M.B and CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M

As of 5am on the 12th, Both vessels are in the Gulf of Maine Past Yarmouth.

Photo above Via @sandymcclearn, Used with Permission

Hero Class West Coast Move Iminant?

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Hansa Heavy Lift recently dropped off some spreaders at Pier 28. there is Speculation that these may be for lifting the 2 west coast bound. Mid Shore Patrol Vessels.

I went looking for a tender award notice – I found none. I did discover however that the project was re-tendered in July. This new tender removed language about delivery to a Foreign port, and now requires the vessels to be delivered to BC. the re-tender also corresponds with an application for a coasting trade license for the unnamed vessel. I was also unable to find a Decision on the coasting trade application.

The Trip is requested to be As soon as possible, between November 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015, and the Tender closed September 24th, so we are within timelines, and perhaps are waiting for a final contract to be signed. From Questioning in the tender process, it appears that Dockwise and Hansa Heavy Lift were both interested in Bidding.

(Above) Excerpt of Docking plan, from Tender Documents.

Australian Spirt – Tow to Portugal.

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(Above) Tug and Tow Connected via Chains (Below) Closeup of towing arrangement, Does not appear to be using Australian Spirits Anchor Chains.

(Above) Chain Towing Bridle, Attached to a cable. the Cable will be payed out when they get to open ocean. (Below) Tow passing the ferry track

(Above) Tug Janus Leading the Way. (Below) Atlantic Oak, Atlantic Larch and Atlantic Willow (Not visible on other side) steer the stern

Almi Navigator to Anchor

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The Tanker Almi Navigator Dropped the hook in Anchorage 1 to take on bunkers. The Algoma Dartmouth is still secured at Pier 9, suggesting that winds may be too high for bunkering to take place.

Built in 2013 and Liberian Registered, she is larger then the Australian Spirit.
She last offloaded cargo in Point Tupper

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Working Autoport.

Janus at Pier 9

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The tug Janus Tied up at Pier 9 forward of the Australian Spirit. Janus was contracted to tow the Australian Spirit to a ship Yard in Portugal to have a new rudder fitted. The Tug Arrived Early in the Morning on the 5th.

She is a relatively New Build, and Rated at 19000hp, has lots of power for the job.

CAPE BACTON at Imperial Oil

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Marshal Islands Flagged Tanker Cape Bacton at Imperial Oil. She Arrived from New York.

A Handy Size Product tanker, She was built in 2004 by Hyundai Mipo in South Korea, and is Owned and operated by United Product Tankers.

Its Dangerous out there.

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In the past week there have been 4 Nautical disasters.

1) The Car Carrier Hoegh Osaka ran aground last night on a sandbar and took a 50 degree list. the crew was evacuated.

2) The Cement Carrier Cemfjord, rolled and sank off Scotland with no distress call or epirb activation. the Bow was discovered by a passing ferry.

3)The Bulker Bulk Jupiter Capsized and sank with the loss of all but one of the crew. It is believed its Cargo of Bauxite liquified, causing the vessel to roll.

4) The Greek Ferry Norman Atlantic Caught fire with the Loss of 10 lives.

Australian Spirit to be repaired in Portugal. Tug on way

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The 19000hp tug Janus has sailed for Halifax to collect the Australian Spirit. She will then tow the Australian spirit to Portugal to be fitted with a new rudder. According to marine traffic the tug is due on the 6th.

It have heard that when the Australian Spirit was Inspected, it was found that the rudder shaft had broken and the rudder had fallen off. it was suggested that the rudder post may have been bent however the lower rudder gudgedon had marine growth where the bearing would have been, suggesting the whole thing was damaged in the past.

For more on the tug see:http://www.ibiblio.org/maritime/media/albums/userpics/10001/Janus.pdf