the CCGS Corporal McLaren MMV was successfully re-floated and towed to the government wharf in sambro last night. the attempt started in the afternoon, and the ship was floating fully by 8pm.
Shore based pumps dewatered the ship, while the CCGS Sambro stood by behind the ship, providing additional scene lighting. A large crane on scene was reportedly for repairs to the cradle, but could be seen swing equipment over to the Mclaren.
there was no update on the police investigation.
Early Saturday morning, the CCGS Corporal Mclaren was sabotaged, when 2 cables and a chain were cut at the CME Shipyard in Sambro Head. the cradle the boat was on slid back, and the MSPV came off the blocks. there was some water ingress.
From statements made by CME, we know the ship was fine at the midnight check, and in the water at the subsequent check. A call to Halifax fire for fuel leaking from a boat was reported at 0751 by @hrmfirewire on twitter. the yard has cameras, but no fence, so its easy to gain access, though its unclear if anything was caught on tape.
the boat was on the lift for 6 weeks of maintenance. general repair and upkeep. A few modifications were being made the vessel, including new electronics, rope cutters on the shafts, and additional limber holes in the engine room bilge.
the ship was built by Halifax Shipyards, as the 6th of 9 Hero Class midshore patrol vessels. she first emerged for painting in in May 2013, and the ship was launched in September 2013. the launching was witnessed by Corporal Mclaren’s family, after i was contacted by Canadian Heros, and they were able to get an invite to the launch. the ship was fitted out at pier 9, and went on trials in October, and was accepted by the coast guard at the end of the month. She was formally commissioned in June of 2014, at a ceremony at BIO
CME Posted these photos to their facebook page of the work period.
Mid shore Patrol Vessel CCGS Caporal Kaeble VC is tied up at Sackville landing today. This is a good opertunity to see one of these MSPVs up close.
Kaeble is normally stationed in Quebec, and like the other inland based vessels has taken on RCMP markings.
She was vessel #2 in class and was accepted by the Feds on Novemebr 10.2010
Victoria Bound Hero Class Mid-Shore patrol Vessels CCGS M. Charles M.B. and the CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M crossed through the Panama Canal Last night.
From Alexandria, they sailed to Miami, then Key West, before anchoring outside the canal.
DFO/CCGS Photo.
Word reached me last night that the last 2 hero class vessels would be sailing on their own to Victoria, Departing today. CCGS M Charles M.B and CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M are currently working up in the basin, with CCGS M. Charles M.B giving Portsmouth Virgina as her destination, with an eta on the 14th.
Both vessels Have sailed, and will be heading to Victoria Via the Panama Canal.
You can follow their Progress Via MarineTraffic.com at the following links: CCGS M. Charles M.B and CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M
As of 5am on the 12th, Both vessels are in the Gulf of Maine Past Yarmouth.
Photo above Via @sandymcclearn, Used with Permission
Hansa Heavy Lift recently dropped off some spreaders at Pier 28. there is Speculation that these may be for lifting the 2 west coast bound. Mid Shore Patrol Vessels.
I went looking for a tender award notice – I found none. I did discover however that the project was re-tendered in July. This new tender removed language about delivery to a Foreign port, and now requires the vessels to be delivered to BC. the re-tender also corresponds with an application for a coasting trade license for the unnamed vessel. I was also unable to find a Decision on the coasting trade application.
The Trip is requested to be As soon as possible, between November 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015, and the Tender closed September 24th, so we are within timelines, and perhaps are waiting for a final contract to be signed. From Questioning in the tender process, it appears that Dockwise and Hansa Heavy Lift were both interested in Bidding.
(Above) Excerpt of Docking plan, from Tender Documents.
I Finally Caught hero #9, the CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M underway. She was launched back in May, and has been turned over to the Coast Guard. She will eventually be stationed in Victoria.
She was Exercising with her Rhib, but it appears to have been stowed.
Earlier we reported on a RFP to transport the last 2 hero class vessels to Victoria. The rfp seemed to hint that the 2 vessels could be delivered to a US port, thus averting cabotage requirements.
The CCGS has now filed a request for a coasting trade licence for a to be determined heavy lift vessel to transport the 2 hero class boats to victoria. this suggests that an rfp winner has been selected but not announced.
Seems to me a good PR Move for the feds to sail the vessels via Northwest passage – though such a trip is beyond there design range – the could be resupplied on route by other larger CCGS vessels or the RCN.
I suspect Dockwise or jumbo will be awarded the contract. The range of dates is almost a full year – Nov 1 2014 to Sept 30 2015
The government announced the acceptance of the eighth of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Hero Class vessels, the CCGS M. Charles M.B.
The CCGS M. Charles M.B. was named after Seaman Martin Charles, S.C., M.B., of Bamfield, British Columbia, and Hereditary Chief of the Nitinat Band. Martin Charles, now deceased, devoted his life and career to saving lives. He earned the Medal of Bravery for his instrumental role in a search and rescue incident that began with a sunken fishing vessel and ended with the crash of the helicopter assisting in the rescue efforts.
This Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel will be based on the West Coast and was constructed in Halifax, Nova Scotia by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. A formal naming and dedication ceremony will follow when the vessel arrives in its home region.
