AOPS #3, the future HMCS Max Bernays moved into the basin for launch this morning. The barge will now be submerged over the coming hours, with AOPS #3 likely being floated off late this afternoon or early in the evening.
Word is AOPS #3, the Future HMCS Max Bernays, will be loaded onto the Boa Barge 37 on Friday mornings high tide, and then launched in the basin Saturday.
the ship is scheduled to be the first of two west coast based AOPS.
Halifax Fire’s new boat arrived from the builders, and entered the Harbour for the first time on the June 21. The boat, named Kjipuktuk is the Mi’kmaq name for Halifax, and will be heard on the Radio as Fireboat 1.
The new boat is a Firestorm 36, and was built by MetalCraft Marine of Kingston Ontario. The boat is a popular design and is use by fire departments around the world. Unlike the previous boat, this one will live in the harbour permanently, and will be operated from a slip at the Alderney Marina.
Halifax Shipyard achieved two milestones this week. The HMCS Margaret Brooke completed several days of sea trials off the coast of Nova Scotia. The Ship departed the shipyard the afternoon of the 7th, and returned Tuesday morning.
The bow mega block was rolled out May 8th for ship number 3, the future HMCS Max Bernays, and positioned to join the rear two thirds of the ship already outside. The ship is scheduled to enter the water in the fall.
This Friday morning brought the rollout of Megablock #1 for AOPS #3, the future HMCS Max Bernays. The Stern block moved onto the ramp Saturday.
AOPS #2 was Launched Nov 10 2019. Its Bow was Added May 3 2019, and the first two blocks rolled out Sept 21/18. if the Harry DeWolf schedule is any indication, the AOPS #2, the Margaret Brooke should be ready for trials soon. AOPS #1, Harry DeWolf, began trials 10 days after the The Margaret Brooke was launched. The Margaret Brooke powered up Jan 5th for the first time using its own power.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Amy Lynn D with the barge moved to Fairview cove this morning, where the gantry crane will lift the two tugs off the marge and place them in the water. you can see the container spreader has been fitted with a lifting hook.
the first complete medium icebreaker conversion from Davie arrived in Halifax today where it will be based. the First Ship, the CCGS Captain Molly Kool, was rushed into service, and only received a paint job. It will get the full conversion later.
UPDATE – the ship docked at BIO, on the proper side of the jetty and facing in the correct direction. Below, CCGS Jean Goodwill entering Halifax for the first time, via Novascotiawebcams.com.
The Ship operated as Balder Viking between 2000 and 2018, the ship is named for Jean Goodwill (1928–1997), a Canadian Cree nurse who, in 1954, became Saskatchewan’s first Aboriginal woman to finish a nursing program
HMCS Harry DeWolf was handed over to the navy, and moved from the Halifax Shipyard to the Navy dockyard the Morning of July 31.
The ship will undergo additional training and trials by the navy, before formally being commissioned next summer. As the Ship is in possession of the navy, it is now proper to refer to her as HMCS Harry DeWolf. (US practice is to refer to a ship in possession of the navy but not yet commissioned as PCU <Name> for Pre-Commisioning Unit.)
