its been a slow news week…

News

1. New Maersk Service

In May, Maersk announced a new MMX service to Montreal and Halifax. Yesterday they announced a new Southeast Asia service that will connect with MMX. Maersk Line’s AE6 service will connect ports Ningbo, Shanghai , Yantian ,and Maersk’s facility at Tanjung Pelapas, from which the AE6 sails non-stop to Algeciras Spain. From Algeciras cargo will be transferred to the MMX service to sail non-stop to Montreal, followed by Halifax.

2. COVE

COVE opened at the former Dartmouth Coast Guard Base.

3. Strike!
Halifax shipyard workers deliver 48hour strike notice after rejecting contract.

4. It doesn’t matter if your black or White.

the Lunenburg based Barque Picton Castle to repaint her hull white

Interesting

Last weekend brought an extended stop for the Container Ship Aracia on the Maersk/CMA-CGM service. Word is the ship was detained by Border Services. Earlier in the week unmarked divers were spotted in the water off Halterm, and on arrival, the Aracia was boarded and searched, including and underwater hull survey by dominion diving. It was also noted while this was going on the RCMP dive team was working in the Harbour. The speculation is that the ship was going to be used to smuggle drugs on the underside of the hull from Canada to Europe. we can guess it was export, since the ship previously called in Montreal.

Running drugs on the bottom of boat hulls is not uncommon, and apparently sometimes successful. The sailing vessel Schwalb  was apparently running drugs when it arrived in Halifax, and subsequently abandoned. When crews went to remove pollutants after she went ashore, they discovered fittings on the hull suggesting the boat was rigged to smuggle drugs.

Last week in History

June 9 1944 – HMCS Haida and Huron, with 6 other allied ships, engaged and sunk 2 German destroyers.

June 11 1813 – Schooner Liverpool Packet is Captured by the US Privateer Thomas.

June 12 1912 – The last victim of the sinking of RMS Titanic, steward James McGrady, was buried at Fairview Cemetery

June 13 1984 – Halifax’s first tall ships event (Photos, more photos)

Blog: Short progress report on the ongoing refit and restoration of @HMCSSACKVILLE1. @BOA_Place @WarshipsIFR @HfxShippingNews @My_Waterfront @RCN_MARLANT #RCNavy https://t.co/SFkUTaIEnv pic.twitter.com/skHKycCUtY

— Sandy McClearn (@sandymcclearn) June 9, 2018

Welcome to the Second Installment of the Weekly news bits.

The News

1.CSS Acadia

CBC News reported that the neglect of the CSS Acadia continues, with her below deck areas closed to the public due to mold. The province has a condition report on the ship, but recommendations are redacted. The Acadia turned 100 in 2013. One thing to note – I don’t recall Acadia being drydocked since 2008  – though she was turned at the pier at some point.

2. Incidents

the french cable ship Ile de Aix leaked oil into the harbour and was detained by transport canada. the Sheen on the water was first noticed by a Halifax Transit ferry Captain

The Chem Norma Was freed after running aground off Morrisburg Ont. You will never guess what she became stuck on.

3. Navy Movements

HMCS Shawinigan sailed on June 1st for the Caribbean.

HMCS Ville De Quebec will Replace HMCS St. Johns in the Med in July. This is a noteworthy deployment as Ville de Quebec will carry the first deployed operational Cyclone Air Detachment, with HMCS St. Johns returning with the last deployed Seaking.

4. Bar Harbor Coming Back?

Bay Ferries is debating moving the Yarmouth ferry from Portland to Bar Harbor. Rather then alternating destinations, the service would exclusively serve Bar Harbor.

Interesting

G-Captain brings us photos of ship breaking in Alang India.

Last week in history

June 1 1813 – HMS Shannon defeats USS Chesapeake off Boston, bringing the US ship to Halifax as a prize. The battle brought the line “Don’t Give up the Ship” – which the Boston Globe had something to say about.

June 3 1942 – The Battle of Midway Turns the War in the Pacific in the Allies Favor.

June 4 1977 – Canada Proclaims the 200 nautical mile EEZ.

June 6  1813 – HMS Shannon sails into Halifax with the Chesapeake

June 6 1944 – D-Day. The Allied invasion of Europe in the second World War.

Star Trek’s James Doohan was a D-Day Canadian hero. At Normandy, he killed two snipers & successfully led his men through a mine field.
He was also shot 4 times in the leg, once in the finger, and once in the chest, but was saved by a cigarette case he had in his pocket. #DDay pic.twitter.com/V82qQrnTa8

— Jeff Gauvin (@JeffersonObama) June 6, 2018