Yearly Archives: 2014

Late Arriving Cruise ships today

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Bad weather brought late arrivals for today’s 3 cruise ships.  All were scheduled to arrive before 0800, but will now tie up between 1100 and 1200. Norwegian Gem (Above) was first to arrive, Heading to Pier20. Veendam (Below) is next, bound for pier 22, and finally Regatta (Bottom) bound for Pier 23.

UPDATE:
– Holland America Line Veendam will now be departing at 6pm
– Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Gem will now be departing at 7pm
– Oceania Cruises Regatta will now be staying overnight departing tomorrow morning at 7am

HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen for a visit

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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

She was commissioned  in 2006.
She is tied up at NB4 behind HMCS Preserver. The ferry will give the best view
File photo above

HMCS Iroquois to be paid off January 2015

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As expected today’s technical briefing brought details of 4 warship decommissionings.

HMCS Iroquois will prepare for its official paying off ceremony in January 2015 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Cracks were found in the hull earlier this year, so this news was not unexpected.
 

 

 

 
HMCS Preserver is rapidly approaching the end of its operational life, which was planned for 2016. This Was a surprise announcement. 
 
  Engineering surveys conducted in recent months identified levels of corrosion in HMCSPreserver that have degraded the structural integrity of the ship below acceptable limits, specifically in the vicinity of the port side boiler room.
 
 As a result of its current material state, and considering the relatively short service life remaining for HMCS Preserver, the cost to reinstate this ship to full operational capability does not represent a responsible use of public funds. HMCS Preserver will therefore cease its operational life, remain alongside and prepare for pay off in the near future.
 
On the pacific side, 
HMCS Algonquin was involved in a collision at sea with HMCSProtecteur while conducting exercise manoeuvres en route to Hawaii. There were no injuries. The ship was able to return to its home port of Esquimalt, BC, to undergo a full damage assessment.
 
 It was assessed that HMCS Algonquin suffered extensive damage to its port side hangar and remained alongside in Esquimalt. Considering the relatively short service life remaining for HMCS Algonquin, which was scheduled to be retired in early 2019, and its current state of repair, the cost to re-instate this ship to full operational capability no longer represents a responsible use of public funds. As a result, HMCS Algonquin will begin preparations for pay off in the near future.
 
HMCS Protecteur will be officially retired after sustaining serious damage in a fire in February 2014. An extensive assessment of HMCS Protecteur has concluded that the ship was damaged beyond economical repair.
 
 Considering the relatively short service life remaining for HMCS Protecteur, which was scheduled to be retired in 2017, and its current state of repair, the cost to re-instate the ship to full operational capability would not represent a responsible use of public funds. As a result, the ship will remain alongside and be prepared for disposal as early as is practically feasible.

HMCS Algonquin, Athabaskan, Iroquois and Protecteur to retire

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Global news Is reporting the navy will announce the retirement of four aging ships, HMCS Algonquin, Athabaskan, Iroquois and Protecteur.

Iroquois is suffering from cracks, Protecteur suffered a fire and both are beyond economical repair. Algonquin I don’t know about, but suspect Athabaskan will survive until due for a refit in a few years.

UPDATE: DND has invited press to a technical briefing teleconference with Admiral Mark Norman, Commander RCN at 3pm atlantic today.

AOPS Has A name

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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. 

For the first time in its 104-year history, the RCN will name a class of ships after a prominent Canadian naval figure. Vessels have traditionally been named for cities, rivers and Native tribes.

Balmoral to skip shelburne

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Yesterday’s cruise ship arrival Balmoral is skipping it’s scheduled stop in shelburne due to the lack of a harbour pilot.

Shelburne is a non-compulsory area for pilots, and there is one, however he is reportedly currently on leave.
The captain of the Balmoral being unfamiliar with the waters and lacking current electronic charts, decided to bypass the port.
Though disapointon for town businesses, in light of the disasters caused by errors In confined water maneuvering (Costa Concordia and Queen of the North) it was a prudent decision.

Nova Dock Sale Rumors

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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,

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