USS Fort Worth arrived this morning and is tied up at “Navy B”, She was built in Wisconsen, and is headed to Texas to be Commissioned.
Update Aug 20:
She is scheduled to Depart at 1500 today.
UPDATE 2: She Failed to Sail as Scheduled. Tim Colton at Maritime Memo’s reports “The word is that LCS 3’s main propulsion diesels are out of action and she’s running on her gas turbines”
Her Stay in Halifax may have been extended due to the propulsion problems.
Today I was fortunate enough to be invited to cross the harbour from the wheel house of one of our Harbour Ferries. The Dartmouth Ferry is the Oldest Continuously operated salt water Ferry in North America, having gone into service in 1752. The Former City of Dartmouth took over the operation of the Ferry 110 years ago.
The Current Vessels include Dartmouth III and Halifax III Both built in 1979 in Pictou, And the Woodside I Built in 1986 in Pictou. All three ferries are double-ended side-loading, and use two 230 hp Caterpillar model 3306 engines, each driving a model 12E/75 Voith-Schneider propeller. A 4th Ferry of the Same design has been approved for Purchase to improve service on the Halifax-Woodside run.
A Voith-Schneider propeller is like a giant eggbeater, and allows the ferries to move in any direction as well as stop and change direction very quickly. Its controlled via two large steering wheels (one per Drive) that control the blade angle. The operator switches sides so they face forward with direction of travel.
ACL Has ordered new vessels to replace the currrent 4 vessels that call on Halifax.
From the Press Release:
Atlantic Container Line has signed a contract with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding to build the five largest RORO/Containerships (CONROs) in the world. The G4 (Generation 4) vessels will replace ACL’s existing fleet of G3 CONROs operating in the company’s transatlantic service.
The new vessels will be the first of their type ever built. They will be bigger, faster, greener and more efficient than their predecessors. The G4’s will have a container capacity of 3800 TEUs plus 28,900 square meters of RORO space, with a car capacity of 1307 vehicles. Speed will be increased by 10%, yet fuel consumption per TEU will be reduced by 50%. The new ships will continue to employ cell-guides on deck, a feature that will allow ACL to extend an enviable record: its ships have never lost a container over the side during the last 30 years. All five vessels will be delivered in 2015.
This Summer has seen Tug’s pulling Barge loads of equipment for the New Voisy’s Bay hydromet plant under construction in Long Harbour. When the Plant is completed, the Umiak 1 will begin regular calls in Halifax.
Umiak 1 is a purpose built Ice Class bulk carrier that carries supplies to the Mine, and on the return trip returns with nickel concentrate. I suspect the concintrate will go from the mine, to Long Harbour, then completed product from Long Harbour to Halifax.
The 2 new Super Post Panamax Cranes are expected to be operational by Q3 2013. They have been ordered from ZPMC – The Makers of Halterm’s Existing SPPX Cranes.
The US Coast Guard is taking part in Operation Nanook. The USCG sea going buoy tender USCGC Juniper arrived in Halifax today to take part.
Danish forces are reportedly also taking part.
For more See This Marine Link Article
The USS Fort Worth is the US Navy’s newest Littoral Combat Ship. Built at Marinette Marine in Wisconsin on the Great lakes, She is now headed to Texas for commisioning.
When the USS Freedom was Launched at the same yard, she paid a visit to Halifax on her way to Norfolk. We may get another visit
USS Freedom entering Halifax on Nov 30 2008
As previously reported, AFL New england would likely be sold. this past weekend a notice of sale was posted for the AFL New England.
She is to be sold by Aug 30, and To be removed from port by Sept.15th.
Last week the Private Robertson VC was tied up at BIO. this was a good sign that she was complete and has been turned over from the builder. This was confirmed when she was registered in Ottawa on Aug 1.
She is the first of nine Hero Class vessels to be completed and enter service.
The RCN Ship HMCS Iroquois was tied up on the waterfront this weekend and was open for tours.
Photos of the Ship can be found in the Facebook Gallery