From http://www.lighthousenow.ca/News/View/518451-Coast-Guard-officals-board-grounded-boat
The Following Notice was posted on Schwalb’s Window:
You can read our initial story Here:http://blog.halifaxshippingnews.ca/2014/06/schwalbe-from-southampton.html. The Schwalbe departed Bahamas bound for Bermuda, and with contrary winds and following seas, found themselves equidistant between Halifax and Bermuda. As they were heading in the general UK direction they chose Halifax.
CBC has reported that there are also some imigration issues – The owners wife was deported to the Philippines – As a Brit, he is allowed to stay for 6 months but has been told by CBSA not to leave Halifax.
Apparently the CBC Story was incorrect. From Charles Holland Himself:
my partner of 10 years, who has circumnavigated on S/Y Schwalbe was asked by CBSA to leave the country in order to fulfill immigration obligations in the process of her visa to visit Canada. It is my understanding that Somporn Chiangmanee has not been deported as falsely stated by CBC news.
CBSA took exception to the temerity of my partner, Somporn Chiangmanee, arriving in Canada without a visa in place. Despite Somporn being in possession of 2 expired and 1 current passport documenting her arrival worldwide aboard S/Y Schwalbe, they failed to recognize her as valid crew. Regardless of our immigration Lawyer Mr. Lee Cohen advising us of her entitlement to remain in Canada under a temporary residence permit, CBSA were adamant that she must return to her country in order to meet visa requirements.
Further, it should be made clear that Somporn sailed – Greece – Egypt – Yemen – Maldives – Sri Lanka – India – Thailand – Malaysia – Singapore – Cambodia – Indonesia – Australia – Mauritius – South Africa – St. Helena – Brazil – Surinam – Tobago – Columbia – Jamaica – Cuba – Bahamas and has never had any visa issues as being valid and most important crew of S/Y Schwalbe.
Today was the annual launch day at the Maritime Museum. This is when a crane comes in to place all the small craft in the water.
(below) the crane is lifting Whim’s mast into place.
UPDATE:Normally a post doesn’t illicit urgent calls from the National Post. This one did, however, and so I went to talk to the Owners.
Schwalbe set sail from the Bahamas 32 days ago,with a plan to head to Bermuda, then great circle route to the UK. On the Way she encountered 60knot winds and high waves, and was blown 1600 nautical miles off course. She put into Halifax on Sunday. while underway the Container ship APL Tourmaline manged to transfer fuel and supplies via a 200′ line, and notify Canadian Authorities of the Schwalbe’s destination and eta. Another Vessel also was able to render assistance.
Still Noticeably shaken as he spoke to me, Charlie credits the boat with his survival at sea. Their ordeal cost them several pieces of rigging, including the Topmast which is snapped off. The plan is to sail Thursday for Lunenburg, where they will affect repairs, which they expect will take the remainder of the season.
Googleing told me the Following: Schwalbe was built in Germany in 1927, 2.25” Oak planks on Oak frames, its 57ft on the water line and about 80ft long Overall. She was once Used for fishing, and was cut in half and and an extra 4m added. as late as 2008 she was schooner riged, however the after mast was removed. I also found the video Below of her.
Westergard and Sons are excited to announce the successful agreement with the Waterfront Development Corporation to lease the famous Bluenose Shed on the historic Lunenburg Waterfront. The long unattended building will be revived to its original purpose for the construction of a 60′ gaff-rigged schooner for the Blue Dream Project. This is also the Shed that the Bounty Was constructed in.
The Alaskan yellow cedar for the Blue Dream Project has arrived at the Bluenose shed in Lunenburg. The planking was sourced in BC and eventually shipped via rail to Halifax, and then by truck to Lunenburg, NS. So accurate is the sawing that the planks will not need to be dressed before hanging them on the new schooner. This is a new shipment but the same species of wood used in the planking for the Twin Schooner Project, Built up the road at the Dory Shop.
Running large vessels sounds exciting, but as expected there is a lot of schooling and Work Experience to become a Master Mariner. I will cover the requirements for more advanced certification in a later post.
Originally this blog was called the Armchair Captain. This Series of Posts is intended to help move you from the Armchair to the Wheel House. This first post will cover what I consider to be the achievable certificates, and there are 3 Options.
First we have the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. This is Commonly refereed to as the Boating License, or operator card. The PCOC is required to operate any power or sail driven vessel including Jet Skis used for recreation, personal transportaton or subsistence hunting or fishing.
The PCOC is the easiest Certificate to get. – Boaterexam.com offers a free online course, and then charges you 50$ to write the exam. You can do this from the comfort of your own home, and they include a re-write if you fail. You can Also obtain a PCOC from a Class offered by the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (How I did mine back in 2003) or Sailing Canada (Have taken their classes as well)
Despite being Called the Pleasure Craft Operator Card, The PCOC Can also be used Commercially in Certain Circumstances. If your vessel is less then 8 meters and there are 6 or fewer passengers your PCOC is good for Sheltered Waters Voyages. These include all non tidal Lakes and rivers, where the vessel is within 1 nautical mile from shore, or listed in a schedule on the Vessel Certification regulations. In Nova Scotia, Halifax Harbour to Chubecto Head is considered sheltered water year round, though the waters of the Annapolis Basin and Digby Gut are only considered sheltered waters May1 – Oct 31.
For a Workboat less then 8m, which is basically any Non-passenger carrying Commercial vessel, a PCOC is valid for both sheltered water and Near Coastal Class 2 voyages. A near Coastal Class 2 voyage is one where the vessel is within 25nautical miles of shore in Canada, US, and within 100nautical miles of a place of refuge, however with a PCOC you are required to be within 2 Nautical Miles of shore.
if you wish to Carry more then 6 passengers, or venture further then 2 nautical miles from shore on a vessel smaller then 5gt you require a Small Vessel Operator Proficiency certificate. In this case, 5 Gross tons is a measure of internal Volume, and there is a standard to calculate this.
The SVOP certificate is awarded after attending a 4 day class. You also require a Marine Emergency Duties (Med) Certificate. Im told MED-A2 Small Passenger Vessel Safety is the one to get. This is another class to take.
For both PCOC And SVOP voyages, the vessel will probably carry a VHF-DSC Radio. if this is the only radio carried, a Restricted Operator Certificate Maritime (or ROC-M) is required with DSC endorsement. This can be obtained by passing an exam, usually given at the end of a 1 day course.
if you want to Operate a vessel over 5gt, or a tug, or anything in Near coastal Class 2 waters, then you need a limited Master <60gt or a limited master 60gt-150gt. There is a Catch with the Limited Master Certificate; it is only valid for specified vessels and waters. first you require 2 months of Sea service on similar vessels and voyages to the one the certificate is wanted for. you also require a medical, And a Marine First Aid Course. MED-A2 and the ROC-M refereed to above is also required. Once you have acquired all that, you can apply to take the written and Oral exam, and if you pass, be awarded the certificate.
The Sea Dragon put in to Halifax, Before departing on a 14 day trip to Bermuda on the 5th (Join the Crew)
Sea Dragon is a 72ft (22m), 90,000lb displacement steel hulled sailing vessel built in the UK in 2000. Formerly known as CB 37, she is one of 11 second generation yachts built for the Global Challenge Race – one of the longest, most demanding ocean voyages ever made with an upwind, west-about 32,000km circumnavigation.
She will be open for tours from 4-6pm tonight.
The vessel is owned by Pangea Explorations.
Pangea Explorations missions are To actively strengthen the health of marine life through Exploration, Conservation and Education work. and To inspire and develop a new generation of leaders in conservation science, communication, education, art and policy leadership.
Find out More at http://panexplore.com/
