Monthly Archives: July 2013

Tupolev 154 to land at YHZ Today

Halifax Airport tweeted that a Rusian Tupolev154 will be landing around 4 pm at Halifax Stanfield Airport. This Flight was previouslly Announced by a  DND Press release, though its landing here was not mentioned.

If you happen to be by the Airport, I’d love to See photos. (Above photo from Trentonian.ca)

The Release:
A Russian Federation aircraft will conduct aerial observation flights
over Canada under the Treaty on Open Skies during the period July 17 to
19, 2013.

The unarmed Tupolev TU-154M
aircraft, which arrived at 8 Wing Trenton today, will be accorded
Russia’s legal right of unimpeded observation overflight of Canadian
territory, in fulfilment of Canada’s obligations as a State Party to the
Treaty on Open Skies. Using an array of onboard sensors, the aircraft
can observe and verify objects of interest or concern, such as military
sites, industrial centres, communications facilities and transportation
hubs.

The Treaty on Open Skies, which entered into force on
January 1, 2002, is a legally-binding accord that promotes increased
confidence and transparency amongst its 34 States Parties. As Treaty
co-depository with Hungary, Canada has exercised its Treaty rights by
conducting observation flights over the Russian Federation, Belarus,
Georgia, Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This marks the ninth
time a foreign State Party will have conducted an observation flight
mission in Canada, the first having taken place in September 2004.
Canadian military escorts and technical specialists will be aboard the
Russian aircraft throughout the mission to ensure safety, security and
compliance by monitoring imaging systems and strict adherence to the
agreed observation flight route and profile.

Canada is a
signatory to several security treaties, including those dedicated to the
elimination, reduction or control of weapons of mass destruction,
conventional armaments and equipment, and associated military forces.
The Treaty on Open Skies is one example of how Canada exercises its
commitment to reducing the threat of armed conflict by increasing trust
and confidence though greater openness and transparency amongst states.

Upcoming warship visits.

todays arrival of HMS Scott leads off a Busy week of Warship visits to Halifax.

Frigate USS Nicholas is an Oliver Hazzard Perry Class vessel, and was recently deployed in the medeteraininan. She is shceduled to tie up directly at IOL, and depart after fueling.

USCGC Eagle, The US Coast Guards tall ship is due on the 19th.

A first Visit for Berlin Express

Today brought a first visit to Halifax for the Berlin Express. Arriving from Caligri, she is likely on the G6 service (Though wasent initially named to the rotation, her 3 other class mates are. As a member of Hapag Llyods Dalian Express Class, she is 7500TEU, and is Identical to Dalian Express, Yantian Express  (Both vessels have allready called on Halifax) and Ningbo Express.

Hapag Llyod vessels on the PAX Service range between 4000-6000TEU and Are members of the Kiel, Kobe and Dallas Express Classes.

Photos to Follow.

Turanor Planet Solar – Worlds Largest Solar Powered Ship.

The Turandor arrived yesterday afternoon, just after 4pm. The vessel was designed by LOMOcean Design, built by Knierim Yachtbau in Kiel, Germany, and launched on 31 March 2010 for a cost of € 12.5 million. In May 2012, it became the first ever solar electric vehicle to circumnavigate the globe.

The 31-meter boat is covered in over 500 square meters of solar panels rated 93 kW,[6] which in turn connect to one of the two electric motors in each hull. There are 8.5 tons of lithium-ion batteries in the ship’s two hulls. The boat’s shape allows it to reach speeds of up to 14 knots. The boat is registered in Switzerland.The name Tûranor, derived from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings, translates to “The Power of the Sun”.

New CG Lifeboat Design Revealed.

The Federal Government unveiled the new design for the next generation of Coast Guard lifeboats to be constructed as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. Funding for the building of these vessels was announced on June 26, 2013, as part of an investment of up to $488 million in the Coast Guard’s fleet renewal.

 The completion of the design contract is the first step towards the construction of the next generation of Arun-class lifeboats. The design work for the lifeboats was completed by Robert Allan Ltd. of Vancouver, as the result of a $747,641 contract awarded in April 2012. These shore-based self-righting lifeboats will be capable of operations up to 100 nautical miles from shore. This procurement will replace Coast Guard’s existing Arun-type vessels which have an average age of 18 years.

These vessels are being built as part of the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. Construction of the vessels is expected to begin as early as 2014, and the tender will be open to Canadian shipyards other than the two shipyards selected to build the large vessels.

The Robert Allan Ltd.  design is a new generation of more capable High Endurance Self-righting Search & Rescue Lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard. This new design was developed from the successful similar vessels known as the “Severn” Class operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) of the United Kingdom. The new Canadian design is larger with a greater range than the RNLI vessel and has been specifically designed to handle the worst weather encountered year around in the waters off Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. The new design is also for construction in aluminium rather than FRP as are the Severn Class.

The hull has a central skeg, and aft propeller tunnels, developing into flared, knuckled bow sections with double spray chines forward. The vessel is fitted with an elevated stern deck for towing operations, reduced freeboard amidships for recovering survivors from the water, and generous amounts of sheer and camber forward.

A large well-appointed enclosed bridge amidships provides maximum visibility and protection for the crew and enables the vessel to self-right in all loading conditions. A survivor space is located forward below decks, and the machinery space is aft. A bow thruster is fitted forward for enhanced manoeuvrability.

ormal vessel complement is a crew of four. Seating is provided for an additional two supernumeraries such as medical personnel, two survivors (on stretchers) and up to twelve survivors (seated). In support of the vessel’s secondary missions including Aids to Navigation, Environmental Response, Maritime Security, DFO Science, DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and other Government Activities the vessel will occasionally be used to transport up to sixteen (16) supernumeraries in addition to the vessel’s crew.

The vessel’s particulars are as follows:

Length overall:
Length DWL:
Beam, moulded:
Depth, moulded, at midship:
Hull draft, nominal:
Power:
Speed:
– 19.0 metres
– 17.5 metres
– 6.3 metres
– 2.58 metres
– 1.67 metres
– 2,400 kW
– 23.5 kts

MarbleHead to Halifax Yachts

Every 2 years, the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, and the Boston yach club hold a race form marblehead to Halifax. the Bulk of the Racers finished yesterday, with the fastest boats arriving Monday.

Some of them have tied up in the Harbour.

 Not sure if this last one (below) raced.

Back to Work

Atlantic Cartier arrived at Fairview Cove this morning, her first trip to Halifax after recovering from a fire in her vehicle bay May 2.

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