Monthly Archives: January 2013

Curious choice of file photo

2 Replies

The Toronto Star (http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1310126–canadian-naval-destroyer-damaged-under-tow-near-nova-scotia)!ran an article on the Athabaskan tow incident and illustrated it with an interesting photo. The photo in question shows Athabaskan along side a merchant ship. The merchant ship appears to be GTS Katie, and he photo is from the conclusion of operation Megaphone

From Wikipedia:
At the conclusion of Operation Kinetic, the Canadian contribution to a NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo and Macedonia, the Department of National Defence contracted SDV Logistics Canada Ltd to transport military assets, including 580 vehicles, 390 sea containers of equipment and three Canadian soldiers who were escorting the cargo.

SDV Logistics subcontracted Andromeda Navigation Co. of Montreal, which chartered a St Vincent-flagged ship, GTS Katie (owned by Annapolis, Maryland-based Third Ocean Marine Navigation Company), to move the cargo.

During the voyage, a dispute between the various contracting parties arose over payments due, and Third Ocean claimed that $288,000 remained outstanding from Andromeda. As a result of the dispute, Third Ocean ordered the Russian captain of the Katie, Vitaly Khlebnikov, not to enter Canadian waters.

Negotiations continued between the Canadian government and the shippers, however an ultimatum was given and the three contractors failed to reach an agreement by a certain deadline, according to Art Eggleton, then the Minister of National Defence.A diplomatic note was sent to the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, where the ship was registered, who authorized Canadians to board the vessel.

On 30 July, the destroyer HMCS Athabaskan received orders to close with the Katie about 225 kilometres off Newfoundland, in international waters, and maintain visual contact with her. The following day, the frigate HMCS Montreal joined Athabaskan. At 1:45 pm on 3 August, fourteen sailors boarded Katie in a helicopter-borne assault from a Sea King, led by Captain Drew Robertson, during which the crew of the Katie offered no resistance.Captain Khlebnikov would later complain the boarding of the ship was “dangerous” and described the boarding as an “attack”, although Captain Robertson had observed that the Katie began erratic, evasive maneuvering after being warned of the imminent boarding.

Hero Class #4 – CCGS Constable Carrière rolled out

Leave a reply

The 4th Hero Class Mid Shore Patrol Vessel, CCGS Constable Carrière  (Above) was rolled out today at halifax ship yards. To date 2 have been completed and turned over to the coast guard, and CCGS Corporal Teather C.V is nearing completion at pier 9 (Below).

 J. L. François Carrière was an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who drowned on duty. It was while he was working as a scuba diver, subjecting a suspected drug-smuggling vessel, the Donia Portland, to an underwater inspection, that Carrière died. The Donia Portland was a large freighter, and Carrière was one of a team of five inspecting the vessel. He reported problems with his breathing apparatus, although his gauge showed he still had air in his tanks. Another diver who went to assist him, lost contact with him due to murky water.

The Canadian Connection to the Kulluk

2 Replies

The Americans are curently dealing with their own Towing Incident. Shell Oils drill rig is aground on  Kodiak Island Alaska, while being towed to Seatle. The tug lost power, and the tow line was severed in high winds and seas (Sound Familier?) See GCaptain for more

The drilling rig KULLUK was built in 1983 by the Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Company Ltd in Tamano, Japan.  KULLUK, whose name means “Thunder” in the Inuvialuit language, was first operated by Gulf Canada Resources, Inc. in the Canadian arctic. Kulluk could drill safely in first-year ice up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) thick. Dome eventually acquired the vessel, which then passed progressively through acquisitions to Amoco and then BP. BP intended to sell this tool for scrap around 2000. Royal Dutch Shell subsequently purchased the vessel.

She was supported by several specially built off shore support vessels with ice class hulls. Though relatively early designs, many are still in service around the world. Arctic Kalvik was sold to the Murmansk Shipping Co. in 2003 and became Vladimir Ignatyuk (Above). She is the sister ship to CCGS Terry Fox, Which operated as Terry Fox for Beaudrill.

 There was a third vessel, the ex Canmar Kigoriak. Built in 1979, For Dome Petroleum, who were also interested in the Beaufort Sea. She is very similar to Terry Fox and Vladimir Ignatyuk, but was built first, and has an additional level below her bridge.  Canmar Kigoriak now operates as just Kigoriak for Russian owners.
 
Other Vessels used in  Arctic Oil exploration are still in service today. Canmar Supplier II is now Atlantic Towings Atlantic Tern (below).  Canmar Supplier IV now works for Northern Transportation as the Jim Kilabuk

You can read about the Kulluk in Canadian service here 

UPDATE: Edited April 27/2015 to Correct facts. the Kulluk was scraped in China following the Incident above.

CFL’s Patron to load grain

Leave a reply

Despite the Name, Canada Feeder Lines is a Dutch shipping company, they typically operate under the CFL brand, and have apprently stripped the CFL prefix from Patron (Look closely, it still exists on the hull as raised letters, but was painted hull grey) Built in 2008. CFL claims its ships are the most environmentally friendly vessels in the world.

Tied up at Pier 27, she is likely here to export Grain from the Elevator. She arrived yesterday evening, after spending yesterday in the outer anchorage, waiting on Algoma Mariner’s departure.

Updated with better photo (top)

Marine Atlantic Ferry Highlanders for Nova Dock

Leave a reply

The Marine Atlantic ferry  Highlanders arrived at the Nova Dock today for some work. She was last here in April 2012. This is likely for Routine maintinace, but stay tuned.

Highlander arriving this morning (Robert Grahm Photo, Via our Facebook Page)

Update 01/17 Irving news Release:
 MV Highlanders at Halifax Shipyard
Marine Atlantic’s MV Highlanders ferry arrived in Nova Dock this month at the Halifax Shipyard. The ship is in for some repair and maintenance work on its docking stabilizers. The vessel is expected to be at the yard for approximately two weeks, and the repair work will employ up to 35 workers. The vessel was last in at Halifax Shipyard in April 2012 for general maintenance and repairs.

Update on Athabaskan

1 Reply

I Spoke with Capt. Doug Keirstead of Marlant today.
He informed me a Engineering Assement team and a repair team were enroute to assess the ship, affect repairs and update the tow risk Assesment. Once the ship returns to Halifax, A more detailed survey will be completed.

Capt. Keirstead informed me that the priority is the safe return of the Vessel to Halifax. The Towing contract is the responsibility of Public Works, and they are evaluating options for the return tow.

Tugs Atlantic Elm and Fir In Sydney.

Leave a reply

The Sydney NS port Authority is reporting Tugs Atlantic Elm and Fir In Sydney. Both were recently in Quebec, But may have been assigned to bring the Athabaskan back to Halifax..

 Stay Tuned.

UPDATE 04/01: Shipfax is reporting Ocean Tugs have headed for home. The Speculation is that Atlantic Towing Dispached their tugs based on the assumption that the contract would be re-tendered.
Photo (left) courtesy Sydney Port Authority via twitter.

Renate Schulte Sails

Leave a reply

After a layup since before christmas to repair a hole in her hull, Renate Schulte sailed this morning for Havana. She departed with the assistance of 2 tugs, which may suggest the bow thruster is still broken, however high winds would also indicate the use of tugs.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...