The Norwegian frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen arrived yesterday for a port visit. As first of class, several of her sister ships have visited halifax in recent years. Including Thor Heyerdhal http://blog.halifaxshippingnews.ca/2012/06/norwegian-navy-visitor-hnoms-thor.html and Roald Amundsen http://blog.halifaxshippingnews.ca/2009/05/hnoms-roald-amundsen-returns.html
As expected today’s technical briefing brought details of 4 warship decommissionings.
Global news Is reporting the navy will announce the retirement of four aging ships, HMCS Algonquin, Athabaskan, Iroquois and Protecteur.
UPDATE: DND has invited press to a technical briefing teleconference with Admiral Mark Norman, Commander RCN at 3pm atlantic today.
The Government today announced the name of the first of the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS). Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Harry DeWolf, named in honour of a wartime Canadian naval hero, will be the first of a fleet of AOPS designed to better enable the RCN to exercise sovereignty in Canadian waters, including in the Arctic. The Prime Minister made the announcement at His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Haida, formerly commanded by Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf, which currently serves as a museum ship and is located on the waterfront of Hamilton, Ontario.
Subsequent ships in the class will be named to honour other prominent Canadians who served with the highest distinction and conspicuous gallantry in the service of their country. The Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships Class will henceforth be known as the Harry DeWolf Class, with Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Harry DeWolf as the lead ship.
A native of Bedford, Nova Scotia, Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf (RCN) was decorated for outstanding service throughout his naval career, which included wartime command of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. Laurent from 1939-40, for which he was twice the subject of a Mention in Dispatches (a national honour bestowed for distinguished service). Later, his 1943-44 command of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Haida helped that ship gain the reputation as “Fightingest Ship in the RCN,” participated in the sinking of 14 enemy ships, and for which he was again twice the subject of a Mention in Dispatches and awarded both the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Service Cross. A consummate leader both ashore and afloat, his exceptional wartime service was recognized with an appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and as an Officer of the U.S. Legion of Merit. He was also awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration, soon after its creation, to recognize his good conduct throughout his career. He went on to become a popular and effective postwar Chief of the Naval Staff from 1956 until 1960.
Yesterday’s cruise ship arrival Balmoral is skipping it’s scheduled stop in shelburne due to the lack of a harbour pilot.
The Halifax Transit Ferry Woodside 1 undergoing periodic Maintenance in Lunenburg.
Word has reached me that a local diving company was contacted by a potential buyer for the Nova Dock to clean it after purchase. There is no word if the buyers intention is too repair the dock or as a preparation of towing it for scrap,
Word is the the camp for workers on Scaterie island hasn’t been finished yet, which means workers have to travel from the mainland everyday. There have been reports that the wreck has gained more of a list to Sea meaning crews have had to brace it to prevent it from falling into deeper water.
The plan as announced, was to cut steel and remove it by crane and barge to to Louisburg. Word is people on site are saying the Job will be finished by June 2015, which is past the November 2014 date given by the government.
Tankers Energy Pride and Arionas Anchored in the basin. both products tankers are waiting their turn at Imperial Oil.
Arionas (Above) was built in 2006 in Ulsan South Korea, and owned by Capital Ship Management of Athens Greece. Energy Pride (Below) was built in 2004 in Pusan South Korea
(Bottom) Em Ithaki fills in on ACL Route. As a container only Vessel, she may be shuffling empty Containers, or filling in for Atlantic Cartier’s Maintenance Period, though this weekend also brought a east and west bound ACL Arrival.
