The team that escorted the John 1 is on standby pending a decision on her state, and where she should be repaired. (Above) Ryan Leet (Aft) and Atlantic Fir (Forward) Pier side. (Below) CCGS Earl Grey at the front of the group.
The Articulated Tug And Barge Victorious with John J Carrick have been frequent visitors to Halifax over the years. Typically they are delivering liquid Asphalt to the McAsphalt Dock in Eastern Passage. This year, they spent the winter in halifax, arriving on January 23rd. They served as a supply base for their sister company Stirling Fuels. Stirling Marine Fuels chartered the Algoma Dartmouth from Algoma, and is operating the Bunkering Service in Halifax, since imperial oil shut down the refinery, and announced they would no longer be importing Bunker C Fuel. The long term plans are unknown at this point, but the barge has enough oil left to fill Algoma Dartmouth one more time, and will then head back to the great lakes, presumably after the 31st when the seaway re-opens.
I was able to get in touch with the Captain, and after clearing it with head office, I was able to Get a Tour. So thanks go to both.
Looking out across the Deck of the John J Carrick, Take a Moment to notice how clean it is. I spent 45 minutes aboard, and my hands end up dirtier after paying for gas.
Looking across the deck, the John J Carrack has 12 tanks, 6 port and 6 starboard. she is capable of carrying 11000 tons of product. compared to other tankers she is relatively simple as she is only equipped to handle one commodity at a time. The hatches protruding allow access to the tanks for cleaning, maintenance and sounding. At the stern of the barge, are 2 pump rooms, and an engine room that contains heaters to warm the product so it flows.
(below)The Bow of the tug from the bridge. the gang plank allows the crew to walk between the tug and barge.
(Below) Bolt down hatch removed opening to the Void space leading to the ballast tanks.
(Above and Bellow) the Bow thruster compartment in the bow of the barge 4 decks down. the thruster uses a Jet of water unlike other vessels with a sideways mounted propellor.
(Above) the pin in the notch on the outside. note the various levels based on the draft of the barge. (Below) the machinery that retracts the pin the pin is housed in the cylinder when retracted.
(Above) Inside the engine room. note the Red MAK engine on the left (there is also one on the right)
(Below) Rudder compartment. note the linkage to the port rudder, there is another to starboard not shown.
The remainder of the tug Contains a Large galley and mess, as well as Sleeping Quarters for the crew.
The NYK line PCTC Aquarious Leader tied up at Autoport. She is a regular caller to autoport, as part of NYK RORO’s USCX service. She was built in 2008 and can carry 5980 cars.
The observant of you may notice a more head on angle then normal. The Tug Victorious and barge John J. Carrick are docked at the McAsphalt Dock, just forward of Autoport. Stay tuned for a post on that.
The 600′ bulk carrier M/V John 1 went aground ~1.6KM from the community of Rose Blanche Newfoundland this afternoon just after 1330. 23 crew were evacuated by helicopter after issue ing a distress call.
UPDATE: 04/16 AIS indicates the Tug Ryan Leet arrived on scene around 1430 ADT. She sailed from Mulgrave just after 0700 saturday, and reportedly was slowed by ice. (Below File photo of Ryan Leet)
The transportation Safety Board also announced they are sending investigators to the scene of the grounding.
UPDATE 04/17: The owners have contracted Svitzer to salvage the vessel. Svitzer has 3 tugs in Port Hawksbury (Point Chebucto, Svitzer Bedford and Point Valiant, all formerly based in Halifax) though they will likely retain the Ryan Leet as she is more powerful. The Coast Guard is amassing pollution control assets in Rose Blanche.
Photos below By Rolland Kettle:
UPDATE: Shifting winds Caused the John 1 to become free overnight Sunday and she is now securely at anchor. Attempts to pull the John 1 from the shoal by the tug Ryan Leet were suspended Sunday due to deteriorating weather and sea conditions. The Slvage team will board the vessle to perform an assessment once conditions improve.
UPDATE 03/18:
Salvage crews arrived and boarded the John 1. She will be towed by Ryan Leet and Atlantic Fir to Argentia for further assessment. No pollution has been detected, though ccgs Earl Grey will follow along with pollution control gear.
(Below)Salvage crew boarding the MV John I. — Department of Fisheries and Oceans photo
UPDATE 03/19:
Preparations to tow are underway. A generator will be brought to the john 1 to power the anchor winches. Tow cables have already been connected. Once the tow commences the crew will follow aboard the earl grey.
UPDATE 03/20:
The following photo was provided to me. The tow is now underway.
I have been informed that the tow is progressing nicely making 7 knots. Eta is 0800 Saturday
UPDATE 03/21:
Now handing off tow to Atlantic Fir and North Atlantic Osprey
UPDATE 03/23;
The Ryan Leet ,Atlantic Fir and CCGS Earl Grey are tied up in Argentia. The John 1 is under going diver survey and assessment, the Ryan Leet and Atlantic Fir are standing by until Sivzters Salvage team makes a decision on where the John 1 is going and how it will get there.
The new to Mckeil Marine tug, Beverly M1 arrived in Halifax yesterday evening. The tug is registered in St. Johns NF, and is assigned to Mckeil’s project fleet. She arrived to move one of McNally’s Construction Barges.
Mckeil tugs are common sights in Halifax, with Florance M, Evans Mckeil and Salvor having all visited in recent memory.
Jaya Holdings Limited, has delivered its second new build ice class anchor handling tug supply vessel to Atlantic Towing Limited. The 16,000 BHP vessel was delivered on 7 February 2014 in
Singapore and was christened the “Atlantic Merlin” at a naming ceremony held earlier
today. She was previously known as “Jaya Sovereign” until her delivery to Atlantic
Towing. Atlantic Merlin is a sister ship of “Atlantic Kestrel”, which was delivered to
Atlantic Towing in November 2012.
The Purchase was announced in June 2013 but was indicated earlier in march. Atlantic Towing Previously purchased Sister vessel Atlantic Kestrel.
Svitzer tug Pointe aux Basques arrived in Halifax today. This was a bit of a surprise, as the port website was listing the arrival of fleet mate Pointe Sept Iles .
Mac at Tugfax reports these tugs will now be stationed in Halifax, since thier contract at Sept-Iles, QC with Iron Ore Company of Canada expired. The two Twins have been stationed in Sept-Ills since they were built in 1972.
Halifax is an odd location, since Svitzer has a joint operation with Atlantic towing, With Svitzer handling tug duties in Port Hawksbery and Atlantic towing in Halifax.
It will be good to see tugs at Ectug Again. here is a post from 2009 about Ectugs former residents
Stay tuned for More.
Seems Craig trans still has hope for life… See the ad yourself at http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Condor/Tug/HALIFAX/Nova%20Scotia/19_7281859_/?ms=boats&showcpo=ShowCPO
After (i am assuming) failing to sell at auction in June, word is that the tug will be scrapped. The work is to be completed by the same outfit currently scrapping the Farley Mowat in Lunenburg, after she failed to sell.
Craig Trans was moved to Woodside on the weekend – She may be scrapped there. The Farley Mowat is being scrapped alongside at her pier in Lunenburg.
Foggy weather leads to grainy photos – The Tug Atlantic Coast tied on the hip to the Barge Penn 410.
Both are at anchor right now, they will move to the Imperial Oil this evening.
