NOAA Okeanos Explorer

The NOAA Research Vessel Okeanos Explorer arrived last week at COVE after completeting the first leg of its expedition Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada. Leg 2 of the expedition starts August 26 and will include mapping and remotely operated vehicle exploration

Prior to being obtained by NOAA in 2004 and commissioned in 2008, the Okeanos Explorer operated as the U.S. Naval Ship Capable, a Stalwart-class ocean surveillance ship (T-AGOS). As a ocean surveillance ship, it collected acoustic data and looked for submarines.

the name was chose through a contest – In ancient Greek cosmology, Okeanos was the river/ocean that encircled the world. The ship is homeported in North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Find out more about the ship at oceanexplorer.noaa.gov

The dirty underbelly of cruise ships

This week in the Herald, i look at some of the serious issues with the Cruise industry.

Holland America Lines is one of 9 Carnival Corp PLC brands.

One Ocean Expeditions recently had its ship RCGS Resolute Arrested in Iqaluit for unpaid bills to a Halifax based company.

In recent years from Carnival Corp PLC, the worlds largest cruise company, responsible for 42% of Halifax Cruise calls has racked up more then 60million in fines from US Regulators for failing to follow environmental rules.

Gcaptain covered the initial use of the Magic Pipes on 5 Princess Cruises ships and their fine for violating probation related to those cases.

For more on Various incidents (and to see how frequently they occur) See Cruise Law News or Cruise Junkie – both sites track Cruise incidents. Junkie merely lists them, but is more complete. Cruise Law news offers commentary.

SeaKings to Live on.

Despite having celebrated 50 years of operational service in 2013, and Officially being retired last year. 15 CH-124 Sea Kings will live on, having been sold to Rotor Maxx Support Limited of BC.

Retired SeaKing outside 12 wing Shearwater.

Rotor Max specialized in the support and maintenance of the the Seaking, and its S-61 civilian variant. The 15 Helicopters will be refurbished and leased out to Rotor Max clients to compliment their fleet of eight S-61’s. The acquisition includes a significant inventory of parts, tooling and equipment which will support Rotor max’s business going forward.

the Ex RCAF Seakings were delivered in 1963.