Monthly Archives: July 2019

“Halifax Traffic is not very happy with me right now.”

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Wednesday night is race night for the various yacht clubs around Halifax, and for the clubs in the North West Arm, that means racing in the Middle Ground – the area off Point Pleasant between Ives Knoll and Maugers Beach.

The race committee vessel, confirmed with traffic that the racing would be kept out of the channel, to the west. The race Committee vessel were also made aware of the 18:30 departures of Grandeur of the Seas and the container ship X-Press Makalu.

Despite the clear communication with Halifax traffic, however the race course was set to use Mark #37 on the NSYA Race Mark Sheet. Mark 37 is more commonly known as buoy H22, or Ives Knoll West, and getting to it requires crossing both traffic lanes.

CCGS Frederick G. Creed impeded by sailing Vessels

The CCGS Frederick G Creed was inbound, and had to slow up considerably, complaining to Halifax Traffic about the racing yachts failing to give way. the Pilot aboard the X-Press Makalu also complained about the conduct of the yachts blocking both channels as they were coming off the dock. By the time the two outbound vessels were underway, the yachts were held clear of the channels and the two ships passed without the use of Horns.

It would appear that the the Race Committee misled Halifax Traffic about their intentions. They got called out for being in the wrong place by both the Pilots, and a Coast Guard vessel, and potentially put peoples lives in danger.

the race fleet cleared the channel, staying clear on both sides.

Halifax Traffic will have recordings of non-reporting traffic in the lanes from the radar on Georges Is, as well as recordings of the the communications on VHF Ch12.

One final note..
the comment this post is going to receive is the rules of the road say Sail has the right of way over power. While this is true, it is not compete. Colregs Rule 9 gives right of way to any vessel over sailing vessels and vessels under 20m (60′) in a narrow channel. the traffic lanes would count as narrow channels. Sailing vessels are required to give way to Vessels Not under Command, Restricted in ability to Maneuver, or engaged in Fishing.

Give the Full Colregs a read at https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/c.r.c.,_c._1416/FullText.html

X-Press Makalu for Melfi Lines

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The X-Press Makalu arrived yesterday at Pier 42 for Melfi Lines. the ship sailed after a delay for Mariel, Cuba. the ship was built in 2008 in Poland. it features a 2714 teu capacity and is owned by X-Press Feeders, and is registered in Singapore. This is its first trip for Melfi.

The ship was detained by Transport Canada Ship Safety . When she sailed tonight, the only deficiency listed was the lack of bridge control of the engine. A Port State control inspection in Livorno on July 9 indicates that the damage was accidental. As machinery can be controlled from the engine room, this should not be an issue as long as the bridge maintains communication with the engineering watch.

Cable ship Ile D’Aix

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The french cable ship Ile D’aix spent some time at International telecom at pier 9, sailing last night. the ship is owned by Alcatel Lucent. On a visit last year, the ship leaked oil into the harbour and was detained by Transport Canada.

This years stop was uneventful.

Sailing Yacht Hetairos at Purdys Wharf.

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Another proper Yacht tied up at Purdys Wharf on Tuesday. The Hetairos is 66.9m long, and the ketch rig was built with masts that reach the maximum air draft of the Panama Canal. The Yacht was built by Baltic Yachts in 2011, and can sleep 10 in 5 cabins.

More Photos, including Interior shots can be found at Charterworld.com

I originally set out to Photograph the Marie, but it had sailed before i arrived.

Sail Past by two Cunard Queens

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A rare evening sail away involving the Cunard vessels Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 is scheduled to take place in the Port of Halifax.

Following a day of celebrations commemorating the fifth Annual Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage and Creativity on July 26, 2019, a special sail away will take place in Halifax harbour.

Queen Elizabeth will depart the Halifax Seaport at 6:00 p.m., followed by Queen Mary 2. The attached chart provides highlights of the departure route, which is a counter clockwise tour of the harbour. Queen Elizabeth will first sail past the east side of Georges Island heading north, and that is where Queen Mary 2 will meet up with her. The two vessels will then continue their tour of Halifax harbour before their final departure.

The sail pass will take approximately 90 minutes, beginning at 6:00 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to see the two Cunard Queens in all their glory as the vessels pays tribute to the historic connection between Cunard and Halifax.

NATO Exercise Cutlass Fury comes to Halifax in Sept.

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NATO exercise Cutlass Fury will be coming to Halifax this September. Ships should begin arriving the first week of September.

At Yesterdays council meeting, the City approved a flypast request for the opening of Cutlass Fury 2019. The exercise will see 22 warships departing the basin Sept 9, and will be overflown by a Cyclone from Shearwater, 4 Hornets from Bagotville, 2 alpha jets from top aces, and a CP140 from greenwood. the Flyover is scheduled for 1300.

The last Cutlass Fury took place in 2016, and was about half the size of this years edition. Canada, the United States, The United Kingdom, Spain, France and Germany took part in that exercise.

Halifax Based Leeway marine will also be providing a “vessel of interest” to the exercise participants.

Cutlass fury runs Sept 9-20, The area of operation will be approximately 50-100 nm southeast of Halifax Harbour.

Activ in Lunenburg

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Activ of London is a three masted top gallant schooner built in Denmark in 1951. the ship has been in Lunenburg since may, undergoing general maintenance and replacement of some of her rigging. the ship will be sailing for Svalbard Norway, where it will play a whaler in an upcoming film. Additional pieces to outfit the ship as a whaler, including boat davits were also added during the work period.

The ship serves as an expedition vessel,and besides film appearances is used to conduct oceans research. The ship was built as Mona, and was originally rigged as a ketch. Post war, Fuel and steel were in short supply, so a few years, it made sense to build small wooden freighters that could sail. Active had a load capacity of 211tons and was used to supply villages on the east coast of Greenland. she was converted to her current rig in 1975.

Boat Davits Added to convert her to a whale ship.
Up in the Rig.
Caulking the Hull to ensure watertightness