Category Archives: new build

Bella Degagnes Arrives in Canada

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Relais Nordik, a subsidiary of Desgagnés’s new ship arrved in Halifax today. The ship, Bella Desgagnés left Italy Friday, March 22, 2013, for Canada with an expected crossing time of 14 days to get to Halifax, where she will stop to clear customs and be restocked. The plan was then for her to proceed to Blanc-Sablon where she was planned to dock the evening of April 7, 2013. (2 days ago). the Bella Desgagnés was then to begin a familiarization trip & offer visits in all ports of the Middle and Lower North Shore as well as in Port-Menier, before heading to Sept-Iles to be christened. (Originally scheduled for April 15, 2013)

Immediately after her call in Sept-Îles, the ship will proceed to Rimouski to finalize documentation and formalities for Transport Canada approval, as is the normal procedure for a new ship destined for coasting trade in Canada, where she will then begin her regular service on April 29, 2013

Relais Nordik Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of Groupe Desgagnés inc.; it transports passengers, general cargo and vehicles from the main terminals of Rimouski, Sept-Îles, Havre-Saint-Pierre and Natashquan, and to the eight ports of the communities it serves, i.e. Port-Menier, Kegaska, La Romaine, Harrington Harbour, Tête-à-la-Baleine, La Tabatière, Saint-Augustin and Blanc-Sablon. Each of these port agencies assures the reception, containerization, transportation and delivery of merchandise to the client.

Another Degagnes Vessel, the Dara Desgagnés Is currently undergoing rudder work in the Nova Dock at Halifax Shipyards.

New Ferry Up for Approval; delivery in April 2014

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An item on todays HRM Council agenda is the Approval of the Tender for the Construction of a 4th Harbour ferry. The lowest (only) bidder meeting specifications was A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd., for Total Tender Price of $ 4,158,299.96

Metro Transit currently operates three passenger ferries (Dartmouth III, Halifax III and Woodside I). A fourth passenger ferry has been identified as a priority investment to improve the harbour ferry service between Woodside and Downtown Halifax. The fourth ferry is also recommended in the Council approved Metro Transit Five Year Strategic Operations Plan, and further recommended in the Strategic Ferry Operations Plan. This ferry will permit Metro Transit to double the peak hour service and add new off peak service on the Woodside route; these service improvements cannot be achieved with three vessels.

Tenders were publically advertised on the Province of Nova Scotia website and closed on February 22,2013.Representatives from four(4) Nova Scotia shipyards attended the Bidders Conference, but only one(1)bid was received.The other attendees to the meeting were contacted and cited a lack of capacity at present. The Likely included Abco of Lunenburg, and Pictou Industries Ltd (who built the previous 3 ferries) A.F. Theriault and Son Ltd. will commence work on notification of award, with an anticipated delivery date of April 1, 2014. The Drawings and Engineering will be done by E.Y.E Marine Consultants, who designed and managed construction on the previous 3 vessels.

Buried in an Appendix at the end of the documentation sent to Council, is a note that the existing ferries were constructed in 1978 (Dartmouth III, Halifax III) and 1986 (Woodside I) and will soon approach the end of their economic lifespan. The 4th Ferry is viewed as the initial step in a new build programme, Metro Transit therefore requires a new ferry design to serve as the foundation for recapitalization of the current fleet and an additional vessel for the Woodside service. HRM, after the 4th ferry is built, will have 4.9 million remaining in Ferry reserve fund, enough for another boat.

Approval today is all but assured, as the Voith Schnider drives have already been approved, and ordered.

CCGS Constable Carrière Launched

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The 4th Hero Class vessel,  CCGS Constable Carrière, was launched from Halifax Shipyards today. The Operation was scheduled to begin at 4 pm, and Constable Carriere began sliding down the ways around 5 pm today. she was in the water and on her way to Pier 9 by 6pm. Below are some photos.
Video Will Follow.

 (Above) Ready To Go
(Below) Sliding down the Ways

 (Above) Still Sliding
(Below) Almost to the Water

 (Above) Attaching lines to the Tugs
(Below) Towing to Pier 9

Atlantic Towing Buys Atlantic Kestrals Sister

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last summer, Atlantic towing Announced they had purchased the Jaya Supreme, To be come Atlantic Kesteral. An Article in the March issue of Tug and OSV Magazine lets slip at the End that Atlantic Towing has also purchased her sister ship Jaya Soverign. No ATL Bird name has yet been assigned.

You can read the Article here (PDF).

In A seperate Article (PDF), In the Jan/Feb issue of Offshore Support Journal, ATL explains that the vessel was purchased to meet the tender requirements for supporting the Drill Rig West Aquarious working off Newfoundland. Given the Tight timelines, the Purchase of an available vessel makes sence rather then building a new one from scratch. They expect both vessels to find work as the Hebron field is developed.

Hero Class #5 Rolled Out

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Hero Class #5 was rolled out this morning for painting. She will become the CCGS G. Peddle. Hero #4, CCGS Constable Carrière, has been tarped to protect form overspray, though there are clearly some wind issues.

The Vessel is named after Canadian Coast Guard Chief Officer Gregory Paul Peddle, S.C., of Spaniard’s Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. Chief Officer Peddle and his colleagues, Senior Engineer Pierre Gallien and Leading Seaman Raymond C. Welcher, lost their lives on October, 15, 1989, when their fast rescue craft overturned in an attempt to rescue a diver off Middle Cove, Newfoundland. Chief Officer Peddle was awarded the Star of Courage.

CCG Announces the Acceptance of the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V.

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The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway, announced the acceptance of the the third of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Hero Class vessels, the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V., built by Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

“Our Government is proud to name our ships built in Canada after Canadian heroes,” said Minister Ashfield. “Not only does their construction support job creation and local business, once in action, the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. will enhancemaritime security along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.”

CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. was named after Corporal Robert Gordon Teather, C.V., a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police diving team in Surrey, British Columbia. Corporal Teather rescued two fishermen trapped in the hull of their capsized boat. This heroic rescue occurred in the early morning hours of September 26, 1981. Corporal Teather passed away November 14, 2004. For his actions Corporal Teather was awarded the Cross of Valour.

The Hero Class vessels are named for decorated soldiers, veterans and police officers as well as employees of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard. By naming these after Canadian heroes the Government of Canada hopes to encourage future generations to learn about Canadian history, culture and geography.

The Hero Class vessels are 47 metres in length with a displacement of 257 tonnes and a top speed of 25 knots.

The CCGS Corporal Teather C.V. will be based in Central and Arctic Region where it will enhance maritime security along the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway system. A formal naming and dedication ceremony will follow when the vessel makes its way to its home region.