The Ryan Leet and Atlantic Fir are still on stand by due to the storm system. The Atlantic Fir was asked to push the John 1 against the dock to relive the mooring lines. (Photo top)
CSL America’s New Geared Bulk Carrier CSL Tacoma arrived this morning and anchored in the basin. Built in 2013, she is one of CSL’s New Trillium Class. CSL Tacoma is the last of the order, and departed Chengxi Shipyard in Jiangyin, China on October 12 en route to Port McNeill, British Columbia. as a Panamax Vessel, she would have come through the Panama Canal.
Spring is here, with the first CFIA Gypsy Moth Inspection. Vessels entering Canadian waters for areas where gypsy moths exist are required to provide documentation that the ship is Moth Free. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency then inspects ships to ensure compliance. The moths build nests in Nooks on vessels and on containers, and can then spread into local areas. The moths exist in Canada, however they are restricted to certain regions. (Nova Scotia is one, Parts of Ontario..)
The handysize Bulker Orient Dispatch arrived at anchor last night, and will sail late this morning. Built by Hyundai Mippo, in Ulsan, South Korea, she is new, having been built in 2013. She is owned and operated by InterOrient of Cyprus.
Handysize refers to vessels under 50000dwt, as their smaller size allows them to enter most ports, and they are typically also geared. Orient Dispatch comes in at 36000dwt.
The newbuild bulk carrier Nunavik arrived this morning at pier 27. This was her first stop in Canada.
She was announced at the same time as Oceanex announced the construction of the Connaigra.
The MV Nunavik. Built at JMU’s Tsu Shipyard in Japan, the ship will be used to export the concentrates produced at the Canadian Royalties owned Nunavik Nickel mine at Deception Bay in northern Quebec. The vessel will also supply the mine with equipment and fuel, year round.
In naming this new ship Nunavik, Fednav wanted to recognize the inhabitants and the region in which it will operate as well as its project partner, Nunavik Nickel
She arrived earlier then scheduled, so was already tieing up when I arrived.
UPDATE 03/21:
She sailed yesterday just after 16:00, the weather was quite rough.
its been a bad week for Bulk Carries and Mechanical issues.
1. The John 1 Lost power and went aground off Rose Blanche Newfoundland.
2. The Rt Hon Paul E Martin Waited out weather in the outer Anchorage before proceeding to Shelbourn Ship Repair with the tug Atlantic Fir with a drive issue.
3. The Bulker Pioneer arrived at National Gypsum, appeared to load cargo, and On Friday was cold moved to Pier 25, with her bow Heavily ballasted down. This morning she appears to have propeller work going on.
(Above) Work On Pioneers Propeller (Below) Pioneer Ballasted down forward.
4. the Bulker Persenk Arrived to repair Ice damage at Anchorage 7. Her propeller was bent causing a bad vibration. Divers removed pieces to re-balance it.
The 600′ bulk carrier M/V John 1 went aground ~1.6KM from the community of Rose Blanche Newfoundland this afternoon just after 1330. 23 crew were evacuated by helicopter after issue ing a distress call.
UPDATE: 04/16 AIS indicates the Tug Ryan Leet arrived on scene around 1430 ADT. She sailed from Mulgrave just after 0700 saturday, and reportedly was slowed by ice. (Below File photo of Ryan Leet)
The transportation Safety Board also announced they are sending investigators to the scene of the grounding.
UPDATE 04/17: The owners have contracted Svitzer to salvage the vessel. Svitzer has 3 tugs in Port Hawksbury (Point Chebucto, Svitzer Bedford and Point Valiant, all formerly based in Halifax) though they will likely retain the Ryan Leet as she is more powerful. The Coast Guard is amassing pollution control assets in Rose Blanche.
Photos below By Rolland Kettle:
UPDATE: Shifting winds Caused the John 1 to become free overnight Sunday and she is now securely at anchor. Attempts to pull the John 1 from the shoal by the tug Ryan Leet were suspended Sunday due to deteriorating weather and sea conditions. The Slvage team will board the vessle to perform an assessment once conditions improve.
UPDATE 03/18:
Salvage crews arrived and boarded the John 1. She will be towed by Ryan Leet and Atlantic Fir to Argentia for further assessment. No pollution has been detected, though ccgs Earl Grey will follow along with pollution control gear.
(Below)Salvage crew boarding the MV John I. — Department of Fisheries and Oceans photo
UPDATE 03/19:
Preparations to tow are underway. A generator will be brought to the john 1 to power the anchor winches. Tow cables have already been connected. Once the tow commences the crew will follow aboard the earl grey.
UPDATE 03/20:
The following photo was provided to me. The tow is now underway.
I have been informed that the tow is progressing nicely making 7 knots. Eta is 0800 Saturday
UPDATE 03/21:
Now handing off tow to Atlantic Fir and North Atlantic Osprey
UPDATE 03/23;
The Ryan Leet ,Atlantic Fir and CCGS Earl Grey are tied up in Argentia. The John 1 is under going diver survey and assessment, the Ryan Leet and Atlantic Fir are standing by until Sivzters Salvage team makes a decision on where the John 1 is going and how it will get there.
The Bulk carrier Irma arrived this morning for a load of grain. This year was apparently a good year for grain, and ice was causing problems on the seaway before it closed for the winter, potentially requiring changes to shipping arrangements. Draft restrictions usually cause larger bulkers to top up in Halifax, However given how high Irma is out of the water, she is empty.Grain Pellets were flowing from one of the spouts when I was by this morning. For a View of the process, this post shows the loading of Patron last year.
Addtional Update: The wood pelets in question are from the Scotia Atlantic Biomass Company, which was formed when Viridis Energy acquired a pellet plant that was dormant in 2012. It was renamed Scotia Atlantic Biomass Company Limited and refurbished before opening in September of 2013. The plant is based in Middle Musquoboit, Nova Scotia with storage and port loading facilities in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In 2013 Viridis signed a contract with Ekman & Co., based in Sweden to distribute our pellets throughout Europe for power generation, district to heating and residential heating. Halifax is just over 3,000 km to Rotterdam, the hub import for Europe. The tremendous location enables the company to take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for pellets in Europe.
Irma is currently loading 25,000 tonnes of wood pellets that are bound for Ghent, Belgium. The value of the shipment is 3-4 million dollars. She is due to Sail on the 5th. (Below our some loading shots, Courtesy of a friendly Longshoreman (thanks!))
the bulker Tundra arrived friday at pier 27. She was mostly obscured by fog. SHe was last here in 2012, arriving late after running aground off Sorel. PQ.
Word is the Geared bulker Laura I was hit during ice breaking operations in the St. Lawrence river by the CCGS Henry Larsen. She was bound for Savannah Georgia from Becancour Quebec.
UPDATE: She Arrived Friday, on schedule, but had no visible damage. Connors Diving was in Attendance, so its likely the damage is below the waterline.
