Bitu Sea

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.

Unusual Ship at Anchor

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)

Old Friend Returns

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.

Grand Manan Adventure

The New Grand Manan Ferry Departed the Nova Dock this afternoon, and performed a few hours of trials in the basin before departing for Blacks Harbour NB. The new ferry was put into service, and quickly withdrawn after problems developed.

Nice Day For A Sail

Whats Up with Pearl Mist?

Shes Tied up at Shelbourn ship repair, waiting for Lawers to sort things out.
First Some Background.
ISI finished construction of the Vessel in April 2009, conducted dock–and–sea trials,
and on May 6, 2009 gave Pearl Seas written notice of completion of the trial run. During Consrtuction there were several changes made to the vessel design, and these were likely the source, at least in part, of the construction Delays. On May 9 Pearl Seas rejected the Vessel, aruging it is not compliant with the contract, that “would materially interfere with the operation of the Vessel.

The Contract contained an Arbitration Clause. During and after construction of the Vessel, Irving Shipbuilding and Pearl Seas repeatedly disagreed about the terms of the Contract and each other’s performance. They convened an arbitral panel to which they have submitted their numerous disputes. Perl Seas have sited several issues, including Late Delivery and deficencies (70 issues were identified, 17 of which were “[t]he most serious defects.”) including cosmetic or minor construction defects, failure to install certain Contract items, excessive noise and vibration (of HVAC), and failure to install shower stalls. As well, The Flag State Determined that the condition of ‘Pearl Mist’ is not to a standard acceptable for registration, and Pearl Seas argued the vessel was not in complicance with USCG Regulations. For these reasons, Pearl seas Terminiated the contract.

Irving Shipbuilding argued it was not in default because none of the non–regulatory defects rose to the level of a failure to perform a material requirement
of the contract, and that USCG requires that the owner of a ship must be part of the certification process, and that the “vessel must be crewed, in order to carry out the Training and Drills tests"

The arbitrator agreed with Irving, and and Pearl Seas Sued Irving in Connecticut Court to dismiss the arbitrators Verdict. In both cases the Case was dismissed. So Where does this Leave the Pearl Mist? Likely In the Arbitation Panels hands. At this point it appears that Pearl Seas will be held to the contract - though will likely recive some compensation for the deficencies (which is capped at 2 million dollars or so)

For the Rullings, See:

http://02ec4c5.netsolhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Pearl-Seas-2.9.11.pdf
http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/connecticut/ctdce/3:2010cv01294/90364/51/0.pdf?1297340424

Norwegian Jewel

Todays Cruise ships featured Norwegian Jewel and Explorer of the Seas. Tomorrow is an off day, With RCCL's Jewel of the Seas due on the 22end

Traffic

SE Potentia Finishing unload wind turbine parts.

Gulf Spray removing garbage from the Cruise ships.

London Express Departing. in a fairly rare occurrence, OOCL New York Anchored in the basin this morning until she could clear the pier.

Tanker Afrodite at anchor - she is scheduled to move to IOL Later this afternoon.

Russian Research vessel AKADEMIK IOFFE at pier 27.

Pangea

The Sailing Yacht Pangaea put in to Halifax to ride out the Oncoming Hurricane Maria.
She Is Captained By Mike Horn, Who is leading the Pangaea Expedition on a 4 year Journey around the world. The 30m vessel was built out of Aluminum in Brazil, and has 30 births.

Find out more @ http://www.mikehorn.com/en/pangaea/

Back From Refit.

HMCS Kingston arrived back at the dockyard, Looking freshly painted and stripped of kit (which is normal practice before sending the ship for work).

More Coast Guard Visitors.

Commissioned by The French Government in October 1997 for Fisheries Patrol off St. Pierre and Miquelon, PSP Fulmar was perfectly suited for the task, as she started he life as F/V Jonathan Dunkirk a fishing vessel Built in 1991.

She is Tied up at the Maritime Museum Wharf, and will be open for guided tours, Saturday and Sunday between 1400 and 1700.

To see her in her former life - See http://www.bateaux-fecamp.fr/article-fulmar-p-740-64559475.html and Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Another USCG Visit

After Last weekends visit of USCGC Jefferson Island (WPB-1340) (Sorry for the lack of coverage, I was out of town) This weekend brings us a visit of USCGC Willow (WLB-202) a 225' Juniper Class Sea-going Buoy Tender based out of Newport RI.
She arrived this morning, and is tying up at the dockyard.

Three Cruise Ships Today

Holland America's Eurodamm makes her first stop in Halifax today, and is birthed at Pier 20.Halifax regular and Eurodam sister ship Maasdam is also in Port Today, and is tied up at Pier 31, well within halterm - presumably due to space constraints at pier 24. Aida Aura (See yesterdays post) is a much smaller ship.
Carnival Glory (Another Regular has the berth at Pier 22

Busy at Pier 24/25

The Cruise ship Aida Aura Tied up at Pier 24 today.

The CSL Bulker SALARIUM finished offloading at the Grain Elevators, and is scheduled to move to National Gypsum later this afternoon

Cape Mayor

Cape Mayor Called at Fairview Cove on Monday for Atlantic Container Line.
She gave Her destination as Baltimore, however doesn't seem to be listed on ACL's Normal Schedule. She is likely filling in for a run, and time will tell if she returns on the east bound trip.

Welcome Home HMCS Charlottetown

HMCS Charlottetown returned to Port just after 0900, Tieing up at the Dockyard just prior to 1000. She Was welcomed by a Salute from Firebird, and a Large Crowd of Families on the pier.

Charlottetown spent the Past 6 Months Off Libia, Having Departing Halifax on March 2. While on patrol, she became the first Canadian warship to come under enemy fire since the Korean War. She has been replaced by HMCS Vancouver

HMCS Charlottetown Turning to enter the dockyard.

Firebird Salutes the returning Warship.