Category Archives: harbour tour

Whats the building floating in the Basin? – The DRDC Barge

Ever wonder what the Floating Shed in the bedford Basin Is?

From BIO:

The DRDC Atlantic Acoustic Calibration Barge is located in Bedford Basin, about 5 km by water from DRDC Atlantic. The main function of the Barge is to conduct acoustic calibrations of sonar transducers such as hydrophones and projectors, in a free field salt water environment. It is also used to test and evaluate many other types of sea-going scientific apparatus and military equipment. The chief customers are DRDC Atlantic defence scientists, the Canadian Forces, other government departments and Canadian industry. It is equipped like a combined floating laboratory and workshop. The 300 tonne barge is 36 metres long by 17 metres wide. The main working area is covered by an enclosed heated deckhouse 30 metres by 13 metres, which allows calibrations to be performed year round. The hull contains a rectangular well 18 metres by 9 metres through which equipment under test can be lowered into the water. The barge is moored 1 kilometre from the nearest shore in a water depth of 42 metres. A 10 tonne crane is fitted to the outside deck for unloading equipment and a 5 tonne travelling crane is used to position apparatus over the well. Rotating stations with capacities up to 7 tonnes are available to position sonar transducers at any required orientation and depth.

CFAV Quest also takes part in this reasearch. from DRDC:

the research, development and testing of the systems needed by the Canadian Navy to maintain a state of readiness for maritime warfare often requires that the laboratory be transported to the field so that the work can be performed under “real world” conditions.
To this end, Defence R&D Canada — Atlantic (DRDC Atlantic) employs the Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel Quest. Maintained by the Navy and manned by Maritime Forces Atlantic Auxiliary seamen, Quest conducts 7 to 10 trials per year, spending up to 160 days at sea.
These trials encompass a wide range of R&D activity, from research on the acoustic properties of the ocean to experiments on ship signatures and safety. As well, the evaluation of prototype acoustic detection systems is often the first step in the process leading to procurement of new systems for the Navy.
This broad range of R&D activities requires a capable and versatile vessel; thus, Quest was designed with spacious laboratories, large working deck areas, and very capable marine cranes and specialized equipment handling systems.
The vessel was designed with a large margin of stability and this, combined with its roll–stabilization system and constant displacement systems, makes Quest a safe and stable platform from which to carry out experiments, even in heavy seas.
Of particular note are the acoustic quieting features of the vessel, which reduce the ship’s radiated noise to virtually undetectable levels when the vessel is configured in its “quiet state”.
Quest has conducted research in support of other government departments, universities and Canadian industry, where joint research is mutually beneficial. Quest has participated in Canadian and NATO naval exercises requiring the operational evaluation of prototype equipment.

Silva Set a Drift = Piracy

This past Sunday, some morons boarded the Tall Ship Silva, Raised a Sail, and released all but one of her lines. That Last line, eventually broke, and she was spotted drifing by pier 21 when a tug was dispatched.  Looks Like Halifax has a Case of piracy –  from the Criminal Code of Canada Piracy

Piracy by law of nations
  • 74. (1) Every one commits piracy who does any act that, by the law of nations, is piracy.

    • Punishment
      (2) Every one who commits piracy while in or out of Canada is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life.
    • R.S., c. C-34, s. 75;
    • 1974-75-76, c. 105, s. 3.

    Piratical acts
    75. Every one who, while in or out of Canada,
    • (a) steals a Canadian ship,
    • (b) steals or without lawful authority throws overboard, damages or destroys anything that is part of the cargo, supplies or fittings in a Canadian ship,
    • (c) does or attempts to do a mutinous act on a Canadian ship, or
    • (d) counsels a person to do anything mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c),
    is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
    • R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 75;
    • R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 7.

    Bellow: Silva, When not adrift

    A View From The Wheel House

    Today I was fortunate enough to be invited to cross the harbour from the wheel house of one of our Harbour Ferries. The Dartmouth Ferry is the Oldest Continuously operated salt water Ferry in North America, having gone into service in 1752. The Former City of Dartmouth took over the operation of the Ferry 110 years ago.

    The Current Vessels include Dartmouth III and Halifax III Both built in 1979 in Pictou, And the Woodside I Built in 1986 in Pictou. All three ferries are double-ended side-loading, and use two 230 hp Caterpillar model 3306 engines, each driving a model 12E/75 Voith-Schneider propeller. A 4th Ferry of the Same design has been approved for Purchase to improve service on the Halifax-Woodside run.

     A Voith-Schneider propeller is like a giant eggbeater, and allows the ferries to move in any direction as well as stop and change direction very quickly. Its controlled via two large steering wheels (one per Drive) that control the blade angle. The operator switches sides so they face forward with direction of travel.

    The Wheel House also features 2 radars (Seen at the Top, in the image Below), repeated on both sides. VHF Radio,  AIS Receiver, and security system (on the Laptop)

    On A tug

    In September of 2008 CelebrateCanada2010.ca was launched in preparation of Celebrating Canada in 2010. This year long celebration in which the Celebrate Canada pavilion will be manned by Tim Van Horn and Heide Van Loon as it travels across Canada to a diverse range of venues such as schools, first nations settlements, small town events, larger cultural festivals, and a number of high profile national events

    On Day 170, They went on a trip with Switzer Bedford to move a tanker.

    More Here

    ECTUG Warves

    The former Foundation maritime warves, now known as ECTug (short for Eastern Canada Towing and Salvage) which was what foundation maritime became when spun off from Foundation Co. (now AECON). ECTUG is now Swizter Canada.

    The residents:

    Point Valiant

    Point Halifax

    Point Chebucto
    Svitzter Bedford



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