Monthly Archives: December 2020

2020 in Review

Well the year is over. Here is look back at the shipping news. As for what the Coming year brings, wait for this week’s herald column.

Previous Years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

2020 began well enough with a Tour of the RRS james Cook which happened to have the world famous Boaty Mcboatface on board.

Cruise/Pandemic

The Pandemic first got mentioned in February, where its impacts were beginning to be felt in Asia. the PCTC Carrier SIEM Cicero was held outside the port after a case was detected on board. The years Cruise schedule was announced, that same month, but then delayed less then 4 weeks later, before ultimately being cancelled. Several Seafarers were then stranded aboard ships.

One Oceans Cruise ship the RCGS Resolute was finally released from arrest in Argentina, and on the way north sunk a Venezuelan warship. One Ocean itself went through a restructuring, and plans to offer cruises in 2021.

Incidents

The Report was released into the fire on board the Yantain Express. the ship had a work period after the fire, and still calls on Halifax. SeaDoo incident led to serious injuries. The inshore rescue boat made a tow. YM Mandate sailed from Halifax, and arrived in New Jersey with a Hull Crack. A Scalop Dragger sunk in the Bay of Fundy.

Container Shipping

PSA Halifax took delivery of its new Crane, and removed the last of the Panamax Cranes. The expansion of pier 42 was completed, and the walkway re-opened. The Port Authority previewed the proposed new Truck access at Fairview cove.

The Largest container ship record fell twice in 2020, beginning in March with the Call of the CMA-CGM T. Jefferson. Halifax became the Holder of the Canadian Record in September, with the Call of the CMA-CGM Brazil. The first ONE vessel painted in the lines Magenta branding called in April.

Rail blockages by Indigenous protests caused problems for the port. So did Excess traffic caused by a longshoreman strike in Montreal. MSC Diverted ships, but added Halifax to its regular schedule. Containers began to dwell, due to rail delays cased by a shortage of cars, causing excess empty containers were stacked all around port property. The Strike also led to Hapag Lloyd diverted some traffic to Halifax.

New Vessels

The first vessels built as part of the federal governments NSPS arrived in Halifax. The offshore fisheries science vessel, built by Vancouvers SeaSpan, CCGS Jacques Cartier arrived in Halifax for the first time. Final sea trials for the Harry Dewolf, were completed, with the ship being handed over to the Navy in July. The CCGS Molly Kool, stopped into Halifax in May, the first Interim medium icebreaker conversion by Davie. The CCGS Jean Goodwill also arrived, and will be homeported in Halifax.

International Telecom added the IT Integrity to its fleet, converting an offshore supply vessel which arrived in May. Dominion Diving acquired 2 new work boats from Damen, Dominion Rumbler and Dominion Enforcer. Halifax fire ordered a Fireboat from Hike Metal Products, with construction now underway.

Offshore

The Arrival of the Bigroll Beaufort marked a shift in the Offshore industry, arriving with components for 2 wind turbines. the Installation vessel Vole au Vent completed the installation of two offshore wind turbines. The Fall Pipe vessel Adhemar De Saint-Venant also took part in the project.

The Crane Ship Thailf arrived off Halifax to remove the Sable Offshore topsides. The pieces were then loaded onto barges, and towed to the UK for Recycling. The Noble Regina Allen finished sealing the Deep Panuke projects wells, and was moded to her next job by the heavy lift vessel GPO Amythist. the Deep Panuke platform was brought into Halifax, before eventually being towed to sheet harbour, to be recycled. All this activity meant lots of work for supply vessels, which spent most of the year operating from pier 9. Scandi Neptune removed well heads.

Navy

HMCS Moncton got a dazzle paint job for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. Fredericton’s Cyclone crashed in the Med. Killing all 6 on board. the EX HMCS Cormorant was removed from Bridgewater, for recycling in Sheet Harbour. The DRDC Barge returned to the Bedford basin off the China Town.

The US Navy lost the Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bonhomme Richard after a fire during a work period.

there was one Visiting vessel in 2020 – the USCGC Tahoma, which took part in a Joint exercise.

Other Notable.

Theodore Too was listed for sale, Develop Nova Scotia removed the ECtug Wharves, and Georges Island opened to the public finally.

We mapped shipping traffic again making the nicest images yet, and made it available as a poster.

Fishing Vessel Missing in Bay of Fundy.

JRCC Photo. via Twitter.

JRCC has confirmed that the fishing vessel CHIEF WILLIAM SAULIS owned by YARMOUTH SEA PRODUCTS LIMITED. is the missing vessel. it’s a 2004 built 50′ fiberglass boat. There were 6 persons on board. The boat fishes scallops.

An Epirb was detected this morning at 0551 AST. RCAF C-130 and CH149 Cormerant were dispatched from Greenwood, as well as CCGS Courtney Bay & CCGS M. Perley tasked to search. Debris was spotted at 0822AST, including two liferafts on the beach. both were empty. GSAR and RCAF crews are continuing to search.

Weather observed at the West Bay of Fundy ODAS Buoy at the time of the EPIRB activation shows 1.7m waves, with winds from the North West 26knots (50km/h), gusting to 33knots.

The Fishing Vessel Guess 2 also ended up on the beach at the Yarmouth Bar. the crew escaped unharmed.

UPDATE: Sir William Alexander has been tasked to the Search. hearing second hand reports that witnesses may have seen an explosion.

UPDATE: a CP140 Aurora has joined the search earlier this evening.

UPDATE:23:00 JRCC is reporting that 1 body has been recovered, and next of kin notified.

Inside Dominion Diving’s New Boats

I got an inside look at dominion diving new works boats today. They are much larger up close then they appear, and still have that new tug smell (which is like new car smell, but saltier.) The bridge is open and clean, with excellent visibility all around. Thanks to the enormous windows.

Under the Bridge is a small accommodation space, which features a head with shower, 2 bunks, and a small galley. The Engine room is also accessible from the accommodation space, and is quite comfortable to access despite the low headroom. (the boats are powered by twin Volvo Engines)

The 2 new boats are waiting on final approval from Transport Canada inspectors, and a once over from the Volvo Technican before going into service.

Besides showing me the new boats, I had a peak inside the warehouse. Above is President and ROV Superintendent Matt Lohnes (and my tour guide) standing in front of the largest ROV in Canada.

Dominion Diving was featured in the series Lords of the Ocean, which aired this past fall on History. Episodes Deal with events that took place in the past year, Including Reef Ball installation, Expansion of Pier 42, The visit of HMS Queen Elizabeth, The Noble Regina Allen work period, and the offshore wind farm installation off Virginia, along with a bunch of more mundane jobs.

Deep Panuke Platform Aground

I have been told that the Deep Panuke platform, Bound for sheet harbour to be recycled on board the Boa Barge 34, have hit bottom outside sheet harbour.

Marine traffic shows a number of tugs working in the area. The chart shows several shallower areas, that could cause problems for the tow. Weather shows a Gale warning, with 3-4m seas forecast tomorrow, with winds of 40knots.

More to Follow.

UPDATE: Atlantic Hemlock looks to have sailed to Assist.

UPDATE Dec 15 1000: it looks like the platform was unstuck on this mornings high tide, and is now moving into Sheet harbour.

UPDATE Dec 16: There was speculation that the platform may have hit bottom again, however Deep Panuke is now against the dock in Sheet harbour. tugs Atlantic Larch, Atlantic Elm, Atlantic Hemlock and Point Chubucto were involved in the move. A crew member on board the Larch reported via Facebook post, that there was no bottom contact today, but the entry into the Harbour required waiting on a couple tide changes.

ZIM Qingdao with engine troubles

longtime caller ZIM Qingdao arrived yesterday morning and was worked at pier 42. She then moved to the basin last evening around 7pm and spent overnight at anchor before moving to pier 36 at noon today. The ship is reported to have engine troubles.

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