Monthly Archives: February 2013

Truck Flip at Halterm

Yesterday there reports of a Truck rolling over at Halterm. The driver was ok. And no other details were provided.

I Have since learned that one of the twist locks broke off the spreader on Crane 4 (the one closest to pier 36), releasing the container from one end 8 ft high and the rest fell. The container hit the chassis on its side, and rolled the chassis and tractor over.

More halterm crane details

We previously reported that halterms new cranes were scheduled to ship on June 8. We now know they will be delivered by ZPMC’s vessel “Zhenhua 19” registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The information is contained in an application for a coasting trade licence to allow the vessel to
be used to reposition the old smaller gantry crane from pier 42 to pier 36 at the Halterm. This confirms the fate of the crane at pier 42, Which would have been in the way, and would need to be moved or scrapped.

 We also now know that the cranes are due July 15, based on the dates provided in the Costing licence Application.

CCG Announces the Acceptance of the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V.

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway, announced the acceptance of the the third of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Hero Class vessels, the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V., built by Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

“Our Government is proud to name our ships built in Canada after Canadian heroes,” said Minister Ashfield. “Not only does their construction support job creation and local business, once in action, the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. will enhancemaritime security along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.”

CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. was named after Corporal Robert Gordon Teather, C.V., a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police diving team in Surrey, British Columbia. Corporal Teather rescued two fishermen trapped in the hull of their capsized boat. This heroic rescue occurred in the early morning hours of September 26, 1981. Corporal Teather passed away November 14, 2004. For his actions Corporal Teather was awarded the Cross of Valour.

The Hero Class vessels are named for decorated soldiers, veterans and police officers as well as employees of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard. By naming these after Canadian heroes the Government of Canada hopes to encourage future generations to learn about Canadian history, culture and geography.

The Hero Class vessels are 47 metres in length with a displacement of 257 tonnes and a top speed of 25 knots.

The CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. will be based in Central and Arctic Region where it will enhance maritime security along the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway system. A formal naming and dedication ceremony will follow when the vessel makes its way to its home region.

2013 Cruise Schedule

 
The 2013 Cruise schedule has been released. Begining in May , and running until October, All of the Usual ships return, Including the weekly trips by both Massdam and Carnival Glory.

Notable in Absence is Disney Cruise Lines, Who sailed here last year for the first time.
I Note that the schedule is available at http://www.cruisehalifax.ca/our-visitors/index.html however there was not a press release issued – this suggests that the schedule is not yet complete, however it is typically released in Early Febuary.

Are we prepared for a major offshore oil spill?

The two Atlantic offshore petroleum boards and federal entities are not adequately prepared to respond to a major oil spill if needed, says Scott Vaughan, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, in his report tabled today in Parliament. The audit examined the activities of the Canada–Nova Scotia and the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador offshore petroleum boards, and the support provided to them by Transport Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, including the Canadian Coast Guard.

“While the Canada–Nova Scotia and the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador boards have adequately managed the day-to-day environmental impacts of offshore oil and gas activities, they and their federal partners need to do more to prepare for a major oil spill,” said Mr. Vaughan.
The boards can take over managing the response to a major spill if the responsible offshore oil and gas operators fail to respond appropriately. However, the audit identified several deficiencies that limit the boards’ ability to step in effectively. For example, the boards and federal entities have not tested their collective plans or collective capacity, and roles and responsibilities are not always clear in their response plans. In addition, the Newfoundland–Labrador Board has yet to finish an assessment of operators’ spill response capabilities, begun in 2008.
The audit found that the boards have applied some good practices when assessing and approving offshore projects and activities. They have also taken adequate steps to ensure that offshore operators comply with environmental requirements. However, they have not established or updated policies and procedures to guide environmental assessments, and they are not systematically tracking measures to prevent or reduce environmental impacts. They will also need to determine how to adjust to changes to the environmental emergencies regime and the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.

“The boards’ responsibilities have been significantly affected by recent changes to the federal environmental assessment process,” said Mr. Vaughan. “I am also concerned that some basic working arrangements for responding to environmental emergencies have yet to be sorted out.”
The chapter “Atlantic Offshore Oil and Gas Activities” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
For more information, please click here.
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