The ICGV Thor Arrived in Halifax, Today, and tied up at Halterm. It is customary that visiting naval and coastguard vessels tie up at the Dockyard, so this is odd According to the Iceland Coastguard Website http://www.lhg.is)she was handed the Icelandic Coast Guard at a ceremony September 23rd at the Asmara Navy shipyard in Chile. The ship sailed off to Iceland on the 28th September and is expected to arrive in Iceland on the 26th of October.
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A week ago, Dexter made comments about the tax payer being on the hook for the Cleanup. Dexter’s comments made no sense at the time, as the vessels insurance company would pay for successful salvage. However, now a week later, it appears that the Miner is the sole asset of the company that owns it, and is uninsured. I suspect Dexter knew this when he made the comments, As it came out today from the Mammoet Salvage Master commented that the De-Oiling was paid for by the Coast Guard.
With no Insurance, there is no motive to attempt salvage. It appears that the options are to have the government remove the ship, or leave it there. I suspect leaving it is unpalatable for political reasons.
Photo CCGS, Via CBC.
Though Tied to the University of Laval, Coriolis II is currently conducting an undersea Survey for Hiberina Atlantic. Hiberiana Atlantic is a sub sea cable operator who recently announced a new cable connecting New York with London. The shortest route across the ocean is a great circle route, and halifax happens to lie on the atlantic edge.
This particular cable is meant to be the shortest route between London and New York, to save 5-6ms (thats Mili seconds, or 6 thousandths of a second). To obtain the savings, the cable will have to be shorter then the all the others, which means it must lie perfectly on the great circle, and be pulled tight. The entire route will need to be surveyed.
Hiberia Atlantic’s Cable Landing site is in Herring cove.
Halifax shipyard rolled out the first of the Coast Guards Mid Shore Patrol Boats today.
(photo is through 2 fences).
In other shipyard news, Shelburne Ship Repair re-opened last month, and picked up contracts to repaint CCGS Earl Grey (based in Halifax) and perform maintinance on CFAV Sea Scheldt, a Navy Diving Tender.
AlgoScotia Anchored in the Inner Anchorage,her sister, Algonova is anchored in the basin
Fusion Anchored As well
Canada Express, inbound for Fairview Cove
SeaConger for bunkers in the basin.
AFL New England transited for her weekly stop at Fairview Cove.
HMS Vengeance, A Royal Navy Vanguard Class Ballistic Missile sub arrived and tied up at Shearwater this morning. The class includes four boats, which are the: Vanguard; Victorious; Vigilant; and Vengeance, all built at Barrow-in-Furness by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering between 1986 and 1999.[2] All four boats are based at HM Naval Base Clyde, near Glasgow Scotland.
Hopefully Better photos on her departure.
SS Wright spent the night at the inner anchorage, and returned to the outer anchorage (in a more normal position) this morning.
The Asphalt Tanker Bitu Sea spent the day in port for bunkers. Asphalt tankers are similar to normal Chemical/Refined Product tankers except that they are heavily insulated to keep the cargo hot and liquid, and the majority of the handling gear is enclosed.
She is headed to Fortaleza Brazil.
The SS Wright (T-AVB-3) is currently in the outer harbour anchorage. She is a Aviation Logistics Support Ships built for the United States Navy in 1968. Despite Being in the ready reserve, she appeared to be conducting Flying operations, which may explain why she is anchored more to the west then normal.
Wikipedia tells us that She is
The lead ship of her class of two, she was originally laid down 1 June 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. of Pascagoula, Mississippi as SS Mormacsun, a Maritime Commission type (C5-S-78) Ro-Ro vessel under Maritime Administration contract (MA 224) for Moore-McCormack Lines. Launched 1 July 1969, she was delivered to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) 1 February 1970 and subsequently renamed SS Young America (date unknown). Again renamed SS Wright (T-AVB-3) on 14 May 1986, the ship was assigned to MARAD Ready Reserve Force (RRF), MSC PM-5 Sealift Program Office, Logistics Prepositioning Force.
Wright provides support for Marine Corps helicopters and is maintained in reduced status ROS-5 (five day reactivation status) at Baltimore, Maryland.
Photo to follow (hopefully)
The Tug Point Halifax, Stationed at the ECTug Wharf for many years is now stationed in Port Hawksbury with the rest of the Svitzer fleet, as a result of the Svitzer/Atlantic Towing Joint venture. Unlike the rest of the Svitzer fleet, She is chartered to Atlantic Towing, and Crewed by them as well.
She returned this morning, with Barge in tow, for the IEL Wharf.
Atlantic Willow is also in Attendance.
