Monthly Archives: March 2013

HMCS Toronto Seizes Drugs

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HMCS Toronto successfully disrupted a massive narcotics shipment in the Indian Ocean as part of counter-terrorism operations with Combined Task Force 150. 

On Friday March 29, 2013, HMCS Toronto’s naval boarding party searched a suspect vessel as part of ongoing maritime security operations. During this inspection, the boarding team recovered approximately 500 kilograms of heroin with an estimated street value of more than $100 million. The narcotics were confiscated without incident and will be destroyed.

As one of sixteen Canadian Armed Forces missions currently deployed around the world, HMCS Toronto is deployed on Operation Artemis, Canada’s contribution to Combined Task Force 150, combating terrorism in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. The crew of the ship is among more than 1,500 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and airwomen making a difference on missions both at home and abroad over this Easter long weekend at sea, in the air, and on land.

Photographs by Corporal Malcolm Byers, HMCS TORONTO via CF Operations Flickr Set

Hoegh Masan to anchor

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A rare sight, A Car Carrier Anchored in the Basin. This is likely due to autoport being closed for Easter, and also apparently for a CFIA Gypsy Moth Inspection. With Large tankers tieing up the inner harbour anchorages, the Basin was the only other option.

This is not the first time a PCTC (Pure Car truck Carrier) has been in the basin. In March 2011 Osaka Car tied up at firview cove. Hoegh Masan has also been to halifax before, in June 2011 as CSAV Rio Salado.

Operation Caribbe COncludes for 2013

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The RCN today marked the conclusion of its first naval deployment of 2013, Operation Caribbe. Operation Caribbe is part of the Government’s continued commitment to combat illicit trafficking in the Caribbean Basin and Eastern Pacific. As part of this commitment, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Kingston and Summerside conducted a 36-day deployment while a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft flew patrols from January 7th to 19th to help suppress trafficking in international waters.

 This is the second time HMCS Kingston has deployed on Operation Caribbe. HMCS Kingston , along with HMCS Goose Bay, conducted surveillance operations in the Western Caribbean from March 2 to April 6, 2012. This deployment marks a number of achievements for the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels including the embarkation of a United States Coast Guard law enforcement detachment team and the use of the side scan sonar to search for sunken objects associated with counter narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean Basin. Primarily crewed by Naval Reservists, Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels are mainly used for coastal surveillance and patrol.

This recurring annual operation directly supports the Canadian Armed Forces mission to defend against threats and security challenges to Canada and North America and its approaches. Moreover, Operation Caribbe helps strengthen international and continental partnerships and demonstrates Canada’s specific commitment to improve security in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and to combat transnational organized crime. It also creates opportunities to partner with other nations to suppress criminal activity at sea and keep illegal drugs off Canadian streets.

New Ferry Up for Approval; delivery in April 2014

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An item on todays HRM Council agenda is the Approval of the Tender for the Construction of a 4th Harbour ferry. The lowest (only) bidder meeting specifications was A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd., for Total Tender Price of $ 4,158,299.96

Metro Transit currently operates three passenger ferries (Dartmouth III, Halifax III and Woodside I). A fourth passenger ferry has been identified as a priority investment to improve the harbour ferry service between Woodside and Downtown Halifax. The fourth ferry is also recommended in the Council approved Metro Transit Five Year Strategic Operations Plan, and further recommended in the Strategic Ferry Operations Plan. This ferry will permit Metro Transit to double the peak hour service and add new off peak service on the Woodside route; these service improvements cannot be achieved with three vessels.

Tenders were publically advertised on the Province of Nova Scotia website and closed on February 22,2013.Representatives from four(4) Nova Scotia shipyards attended the Bidders Conference, but only one(1)bid was received.The other attendees to the meeting were contacted and cited a lack of capacity at present. The Likely included Abco of Lunenburg, and Pictou Industries Ltd (who built the previous 3 ferries) A.F. Theriault and Son Ltd. will commence work on notification of award, with an anticipated delivery date of April 1, 2014. The Drawings and Engineering will be done by E.Y.E Marine Consultants, who designed and managed construction on the previous 3 vessels.

Buried in an Appendix at the end of the documentation sent to Council, is a note that the existing ferries were constructed in 1978 (Dartmouth III, Halifax III) and 1986 (Woodside I) and will soon approach the end of their economic lifespan. The 4th Ferry is viewed as the initial step in a new build programme, Metro Transit therefore requires a new ferry design to serve as the foundation for recapitalization of the current fleet and an additional vessel for the Woodside service. HRM, after the 4th ferry is built, will have 4.9 million remaining in Ferry reserve fund, enough for another boat.

Approval today is all but assured, as the Voith Schnider drives have already been approved, and ordered.

CCGS Constable Carrière Launched

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The 4th Hero Class vessel,  CCGS Constable Carrière, was launched from Halifax Shipyards today. The Operation was scheduled to begin at 4 pm, and Constable Carriere began sliding down the ways around 5 pm today. she was in the water and on her way to Pier 9 by 6pm. Below are some photos.
Video Will Follow.

 (Above) Ready To Go
(Below) Sliding down the Ways

 (Above) Still Sliding
(Below) Almost to the Water

 (Above) Attaching lines to the Tugs
(Below) Towing to Pier 9