(Above) HMCS Athabaskan, Rear; HMCS Kingston 700, HMCS Glace Bay 701 , and Unknown MCDV behind Kingston.
(Below) left to right, Crude Carrier Nicolaos, and Product tankers AlgoScotia and Maria Desgangnes
Busy Piers
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Athabaskan is Home
HMCS Athabaskan arrived this morning. She picked up her pilot at 0500, and was off Pier 42 around 0700. (Above) Passing the ectug wharfs, photo screengrab from novascotiawebcams.com.
(below) Overall shot with tugs Atlantic Elm, Atlantic Oak and Atlantic Fir.
(Above and Below) Tugs working her of dockyard, around 0830. Looks like she will be tied up at the NC Jetty, with damage side facing the pier.
Update: tied up at Jetty NC:
(Below)Damage Just above the dock Level
Craig Trans update
The tug Craig Trans has been detained in Halifax since prior to christmas for safety violations were uncovered during an inspection. the crew of the tug had run out of food prior to arrival. They have since been detained here, without being paid, and the vessel owner is apprently un responsive.
The Mission to SeaFarers in Halifax is raising money to send the crew home. They have also been taking care of the crew while the vessel is detained. If you want to help, you can donate at http://www.missiontoseafarershalifax.ca/donate.html
HMCS Toronto Sails
With 5 blasts of the horn, HMCS Toronto slipped her lines and backed away from jetty NB. She passed the stern of the Iroquois where she recived a salute from Vice Admiral Paul Maddison.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today on the deployment of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto to the Arabian Sea region as part of Operation Artemis, Canada’s contribution to Combined Task Force 150.
“Today, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Toronto deploys to conduct maritime security operations with a multinational coalition fleet in the Arabian Sea region. These deployments continue our strong tradition of making meaningful contributions to international security, and maintain our long-standing relationship of cooperation and interoperability with our allies.
“I want to thank the crew – Commander David Patchell, Commanding Officer of HMCS Toronto, the 225 personnel aboard and the CH-124 Sea King helicopter detachment – for their service, and wish them all fair winds and following seas.”
More on Operation Artemis can be found at http://www.cjoc.forces.gc.ca/exp/artemis/index-eng.asp
HMCS Athabaskan Due tonight
HMCS Athabaskan is due to arrive around 11pm tonight. Given the cloud cover, and probable fog, She will be well obscured.
UPDATE 2230 01/14. No sign of her yet.
UPDATE 2350 01/14 – Atlantic Fir on AIS. ~16nm from pilot station, making 4.8 knots. that puts her in the inner harbour in about 5 hours.
UPDATE 0000 01/15 – Twitter tells me she is due at the pilot station at 0500
HMCS Toronto – Ready to Deploy
HMCS Toronto sails for the Arbian sea this morning at 10am. as of 0830, last minute preperations were well underway.
HMCS Athabaskan departs Sydney
Monday looks to be a busy day. HMCS Toronto is scheduled to depart for the Arabian Sea, and HMCS Athabaskan is scheduled to arrive under tow from Sydney NS.
Stay tuned for updates.
Update 12/01: Athabaskan departed Sydney this morning for Halifax. (Don Merritt photo)
Winter Work Period
Since the St Lawrence Seaway, inland of Montreal shuts down due to ice, between the end of December and March, much of the great lakes fleet ties up for 4 months. Because of the 4 month stoppage, most major maintenance is deferred to this period of winter down time.
Atlantic Superior tied up at Pier 25/26 at the end of December. It now looks like work has started, including maitenance on the self unloading boom, which is being wrapped in Scaffolding.
Barge Aground on Scatarie Island
CBC News is reporting that the barge that the Bennington Group planned to use to scrap the MV Miner has broken free of the ship and is aground on Scatarie Island. Since Bennington reportedly gave up and left months ago, one wonders why they left thier barge behind, when they knew winter storms were coming.
this barge is likely insured, so bennington groups insurance company will be resposnsible for its salvage.
APA’s new Pilot Boat
Captain A.G. Soppitt was a pilot and recently retired president of the St John NB Port Authority. APA’s new Pilot boat, Built at AECON Fabco in Lunenburg, is named after him. After trials, and a dedication ceremony, she will be stationed in St John NB.