Yearly Archives: 2014

Schwalbe from Southampton. 1600miles off Course.

UPDATE:Normally a post doesn’t illicit urgent calls from the National Post. This one did, however, and so I went to talk to the Owners.

Schwalbe set sail from the Bahamas 32 days ago,with a plan to head to Bermuda, then great circle route to the UK. On the Way she encountered 60knot winds and high waves, and was blown 1600 nautical miles off course. She put into Halifax on Sunday. while underway the Container ship APL Tourmaline manged to transfer fuel and supplies via a 200′ line, and notify Canadian Authorities of the Schwalbe’s destination and eta. Another Vessel also was able to render assistance.

Still Noticeably shaken as he spoke to me, Charlie credits the boat with his survival at sea. Their ordeal cost them several pieces of rigging, including the Topmast which is snapped off. The plan is to sail Thursday for Lunenburg, where they will affect repairs, which they expect will take the remainder of the season.

Googleing told me the Following: Schwalbe was built in Germany in 1927, 2.25” Oak planks on Oak frames, its 57ft on the water line and about 80ft long Overall. She was once Used for fishing, and was cut in half and and an extra 4m added. as late as 2008 she was schooner riged, however the after mast was removed. I also found the video Below of her.

Spanish Mist

 The Tug Spanish Mist is currently nestled up at pier 24. She arrived Saturday from a work period in Methegan.

The tug formerly worked for Fundy Gypsum, and was used to assist ships tieing up at their Hantsport. Dock. When that operation shut down in 2011, the tug was sold.

She is now owned by I.M Tug of Quebec, and is Registered in Halifax. She was Built in 1981 by ASTILLEROS ARDEAG S.A of Bilbao Spain.

M/V Miner Removal Contract Awarded.

The Nova Scotia Government today announced that RJ MacIsaac Construction, an Antigonish-based company, was awarded the contract to remove the ship by November. The work is estimated to cost $11.9 million.

RJ MacIsaac Construction was one of seven companies that responded to the Request for Proposals (RFP) in March. The bidding process closed April 29.

The proposals were reviewed by a panel of experts to help ensure a fair and transparent process. The panel included representation from the provincial and federal governments, including health and safety officers, officials from the Department of Environment, the provincial procurement office, and Transport Canada.

A point system was used to evaluate the bids considering many factors, including price, method of removal, occupational health and safety considerations, environmental consideration, and worker accommodation. Prospective bidders were made aware of the process, the criteria, and the point system during a mandatory meeting held in advance of the RFP launch.

RJ MacIsaac has until November to remove the wreck. They will work with the province to develop a project schedule. The community will be kept up to date on the project’s timeline.

Next Steps in Shell Exploration

After last years Seismic work for shell (This years fleet is under contract to BP) Shell has announced they have chartered the Stena Icemax to drill 7 test wells in the 2015 season. The vessel is Currently working in the Gulf of Mexico.

Shell has also contracted Furgo GeoSurveys to perform a seabed survey, to identify drilling sites and hazards on the sea floor. this is approximately 45days of work, and Furgo will use the Coriolis II (Currently tied up at Pier 9) to do the work this summer.

French Yacht Paolyre.

Designed by Joubert/Nivelt and built in aluminium by the OCEA Shipyard, Sables-d’Olonne, this 32m Super Yacht is custom-built. With its retro lines and Art Deco-style interior, it combines private and charter use. (Presumably you can charter it when the owner is not using it.)

PAOLYRE  has a maximum speed of 18.0 knots and a range of 4 000 nautical miles at 10 knots. Accommodation for 10 guests in 4 staterooms

Find out more at her website http://www.paolyre.com/en/index.php

Another Super Yacht ties up in Halifax

the Yacht To-Kalon arrived today and tied  up infront of the Maritime Museum. Built by the Burger Boat Co. in 2008, she is 30m long, carries 4800HP (About the same as Atlantic Oak), has a max speed of 27knots, and can carry 23,000l of fuel, which is good for a range of 625nm.
You can see some interior shots of the vessel at Superyacht times.  To Kalon is Greek for “most beautiful”. Robert Mondavi has a Napa valley Vineyard with the To Kalon name.

Bread

As Mega yachts go, Bread is pretty impressive. Reportedly owned by a major North American bakery Owner, Bread was built in Ontario, Reworked in Florida, and is now back on her way to the lakes.
Very modern, She seams to suffer from an identity crisis of wanting to be both a sailing yacht, or a Steam yacht. (See Amazon (Number 10) for an example of an actual period Yacht of this type)

Bread is Tied up next to EcTug, if you want to go have a look. Shipfax has more history on her.

HMCS Montreal On Trials

Having completed her FELEX refit, HMCS Montreal has spent the last few days on Workups. Montreal is the third Ship to go through the FELEX process, and was returned to the Dockyard back in September. She now Joins Halifax And Fredericton as being complete, and on to workups.

Montreal was used as the test vessel for the cyclone, so she likely carries the modifications for this Helo, as does Halifax. Fredericton retained the Seaking layout, though likely had the deck strengthened.

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