The German Bundesstelle für Seeunfalluntersuchung or Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation has completed the report into the fire onboard the Yantian Express. We covered the Fire and response to the Yantian Express as it happened, and Once it finally made Halifax with remaining Cargo.
the report has cleared up a few details. First the Crew was transferred to the tug Smit Nicobar, and then transferred to the Dalian Express for transport to Halifax. That cleared up the question of how they got to Halifax.
The Tug Atlantic Enterprise showed up in Halifax Jan 14. It turns out it was enroute to the scene, but was damaged by weather, and came to Halifax instead. the Smit Nicobar had to render some assistance to the tug.
The Fire began in a container of Coconut Charcoal in bay 11, row 7. Bay 11 would be the Forward 20′ container in Bay 12. since the ship turned stern to wind, the spread of the fire forward is not surprising. The container was misdeclared as Coconut Pellets. Charcoal can Self heat, and it is believed this led to the fire. Coconut pellets are basically balls of coconut fiber.
The report indicates Coconut-based pyrochar is characterized by the fact that it burns at a high temperature (600 °C to 650 °C) and produces a very low amount of smoke
HMCS Harry DeWolf heads to the basin for the first round of trials.
The HMCS Harry Dewolf is undergoing another round of sea trials this week. the Ship first sailed on Saturday afternoon and to the shipyard 10 p.m. Sunday.
the ship then sailed again on Monday, and is still out to sea. In a tweet, the navy said it was taking the ship out for a test drive – suggesting these are likely part of the acceptance trials program.
This weekend, we took our new #AOPS out for a test drive in Halifax! 🌊
Anthem of the Seas on a visit to Halifax. The Ship is now being checked in NJ.
this week in the herald, I discuss the impact of the Novel Corona virus on the shipping industry, and what Canada is doing about it.
Since I submitted the article, Japan has identified 10 passengers on a cruise ship that are positive for the virus. A former passenger of the Diamond Princess tested positive for the virus on their return to Hong Kong, prompting the check. The Ship is operating an 8 night Japan/Taiwan itinerary.
there is also another cruise ship quarantined off Hong Kong.
UPDATE Feb 7: RCCL’s Anthem of the Seas is being inspected by the CDC in New Jersey. the ship calls on Halifax during the cruise season. The number of Cases on board the Diamond Princess has increased to 61, including several Canadians.
The Royal Research Ship James Cook tied up at Cove just before Christmas. The Ship is operated by the UK’s National Oceanography Center, and was conducting the Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program of Newfoundland for DFO – Science work that would have been conducted by the Hudson normally.
the James Cook is due to sail at 10:00 this morning for Fort Lauderdale Florida. Yesterday, the folks at Cove offered me a tour of the ship, led by the Captain and 2nd Officer. Stuart Peddle with the Herald also attended, and produced this piece.
parallelgram winch, used for lowering instruments. the dooors lead t the wet lab.rear deckscience space.another science space.Galleybridge navigation ConsoleDynamic Positioning stationStarboard sideengine controlsforward decksbridge looking toward DP stationchart table.
with no movements into or out of the harbour, since the Ethan sailed yesterday at noon, the First ship of 2019 looks to be the Algoma Verity, due at the pilot at 6:30pm tonight, bound for National Gypsum.
UPDATE 7:25pm: Algoma Verity has twice delayed its arrival, and is now due at 7am tomorrow. the car carrier MEDITERRANEAN HIGHWAY is due at 5:30am, bound for autoport, and will now likely be the first arrival of the New Year. there was one departure today – the tug Spitfire III bound for Saint John.
As I have done almost every year, this post highlights the key harbor events in 2019. 2019 marks the 11th year of this site, and Saw a full year of Herald Columns, and a huge upgrade to the AIS System. I also did a nautical tour of the uK.
At the beginning of the year i asked “What does 2019 hold? Port expansion, new container ship size records, and the delivery of the HMCS Harry DeWolf to the navy are easy predictions to make – the rest, time will tell.” – Yes, One, not yet – the rest, see below.
the Noble Regina Allen returned to Halifax today, after sealing the wells of the Sable offshore Field. the rig tied up at woodside, where it will undergo a work period. in Febuary, it is scheduled to work for EnCana sealing the wells of the Deep Panuke project. When that work is complete in June, the rig is booked in Trinidad.
The Royal Research Ship James Cook tied up at Cove yesterday.. The Ship is operated by the UK’s National Oceanography Center, and was conducting the Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program of Newfoundland for DFO – Science work that would have been conducted by the Hudson normally.
