the US Coast Guard Ice-breaking tug Morro Bay is due to depart Tall Ships quay over the noon hour today. Morro Bay arrived in Halifax on the 23rd from Montreal, and is currently headed out of the lakes, likely for a work period.
One of 9 bay class ice breaking tugs, Morro Bay has been based in Cleveland Ohio since 2014, and entered service in 1981.
the yacht Ziggy tied up on the waterfront Saturday morning. it was taking on Fuel.
Ziggy is an Ocean Alexander 35R and was launched in 2021 from the shipyard in Taiwan. She is comes in at 199 Gt. and sleeps 10 guests in 5 cabins, and has a crew of 5 (in 3 Cabins)
registered in the US, the vessel sailed from Newport RI. she is reportedly owned by Michigan couple Bonnie and Harold Zeigler, who own the Ziegler Auto group, which own 78 car dealerships and other related businesses wit a combined 1.7 billion in sales.
The products tanker DEE4 ELM arrived form Ijmuiden, Netherlands yesterday and took to anchorage. its due to tie up at Irving Woodside this evening.
The Ship is owned by Dee4 Capital, and is manged as part of the Norient Product Pool. Registered in Singapore, Dee4 Elm was built in 2009.
MSC Sao Paulo took the western channel on arrival giving the waterfront a close view. The ship was calling on Fairview Cove, a first for MSC vessels which normally call at PSA Halifax’s Atlantic Hub in the south end. This may signal the start of ships calls being split between the terminals to balance load. MSC ships that call on halifax are typically under 4000TEU to make it through the river to Montreal, and are guaranteed to fit under the bridges with out difficulty.
The Atlantic Hub saw MSC Shanghai, which moved to pier 42 this evening after undergoing CFIA Moth inspection. MSC Shangai Called on Halifax up until last year as ZIM Shanghai. the ZIM Hull markings were still visible – the covering paint haven worn away. I missed getting a photo of her today, But her she is calling for ZIM in 2016
Ocean Explorer made its maiden call to Halifax yesterday. Operated by Vantage Cruises, the ship was built in 2021, and features a distinct Ulstine X-bow design. the ship features 77 cabins with a capacity of 162 guests. the ship was built to sail expedition type cruises, and will sail the arctic and southern oceans.
Also in today, is Ocean Navigator returned for another Call, having been the first arrival this cruise season. Despite the similar names, and paint schemes, Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager (which also called last week) are operated by American Queen Voyages. the ships are slightly larger, carrying upto 202 passengers, and take their styling form the American Riverboat.
The April 25th Call of NYK Rumina seems to have drawn the attention of the CBSA, which appeared to have a dive boat alongside. A Crewman can be seen on the deck, and a line is running from the Rumina to the CBSA’s Vessel.
NYK Rumina sailed on Schedule, so its unclear if the inspection revealed anything, nor is it known if the vessel was specifically targeted, or if this was part of normal customs operations.
The CBSA uses divers and ROV’s to search the underside of ships for Contraband. In a 2018 case, smugglers used divers to pack the sea chest of a Maersk vessel. Divers attempted to recover the drugs in Montreal, but abandoned the attempt, and were eventually caught in Halifax.
Cruise Season kicked off for the first time since 2019 with the arrival of 2 ships. Ocean Navigator was first, arriving at 6am. Norwegian Getaway followed at 8am.
Ocean Navigator has previously called in Halifax as Victory II. This is Norwegian Getaway’s first call.
Saint John has seven seas Navigator tieing up tonight for an overnight stay. Charlottetown saw its first ship last week, after its first Canadian call off louisbourg was cancelled.
With the Oceanex Sanderling undergoing a refit in Europe, Oceanex has be alternating the two ships from their Montreal service to call in Halifax.
Oceanex Avalon carries containers only, and so is unable to handle the RO-RO traffic from Halifax. The ship was built in 2005, and is rated for 1004Teu.
