HMCS Sackville Now Open
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Hero #8 turned Over
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.
Loading Mistral
Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping vessel Qamutik back from drydock.
The General Cargo Vessel Qamutik arrived this morning from Antwerp. She is Owned and Operated by Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping, a Nunavut Shipping Company that operates 4 vessels for Arctic Supply. A Qamutik is a sled adapted for use in arctic sea ice conditions, So its appropriate that this vessel meets Ice Class A1.
At 114m, she is typical of the general cargo vessels that trade in Halifax. She was built in 1994 in the Netherlands, And recently was dry-docked there, and is now on her return voyage. Her arctic journey will begin in Valleyfield PQ on June 25th.
French Navy Port Visit – part of Exercise LION MISTRAL
This morning brought the arrival of 2 French Warships, La Fayette and Misteral.
(Above) FS La Fayette (F-710) is a Frigate, and launched in 1996, Making her a contemporary of the RCN’s Halifax Class. She was First of Class, and this type is also used by the Saudi Navy.
FS Misteral (L-9013) is an Amphibious assault ship, and lead ship of her class. She was commissioned in 2006. She features a landing craft dock, and Helicopter facilities.
DND Issued the Following Statement.
Approximately 200 Canadian Army soldiers from 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Valcartier, Quebec will take part in Exercise LION MISTRAL alongside members of the French Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force from June 16-23, 2014, in Gaspé, Quebec. Following a visit to Halifax Harbour on June 16-17, 2014, The Mistral, a French warship, escorted by the frigate La Fayette, will proceed to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River to participate in Ex LION MISTRAL.
Canadian Army soldiers, primarily from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment (1 R22eR), will board The Mistral, the French amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier in Halifax on June 18. Canadian Army troops will conduct littoral operations, including running air-land operations and battle procedures, and establishing a helicopter landing site and a beachhead. Ex LION MISTRAL will also feature a humanitarian assistance air evacuation operation that will help train expeditionary forces to respond to humanitarian disasters;
Ex LION MISTRAL will culminate in two disembarkation operations on a Gaspé beach on June 20-21 marking the end of the amphibious exercise. In response to a request by the town of Gaspé, the members of the 1 R22eR will also be offering a static display of their vehicles and equipment on June 21. The Canadian Army’s participation will include ten Light Armoured Vehicles, one combat command post vehicle, and several logistics vehicles, to include an ambulance, a recovery vehicle, and a heavy transport vehicle. These Are currently on the pier outside HMCS Scotian. Also participating are 15 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with three CH-146 Griffon helicopters from the 430 Tactical Aviation Helicopter Squadron based at Valcartier Garrison
Ex LION MISTRAL is the first joint amphibious exercise between the Canadian Army and the French Navy.
USCG Morrow bay Visit
Pioneer for the scrapers?
Straight Area Shipping News is reporting a source has indicated the bulker Pioneer is headed for the scrapers in Turkey.
A Self Discharging Bulk Carrier, Pioneer frequents National Gypsum. She was built in 1981 as Canadian Pioneer, and was renamed in 1988. She is operated as part of the Canada Steam Ship Lines International (CSLI ) fleet.
With new trillium class vessels joining the fleet, older vessels will be replaced.
Queen Mary 2 in port today.
The Cunard liner Queen Mary 2 made her first appearance of the year today. She sails at 5pm, and will round Georges Island before heading out. The Cunard Line, was founded by Samuel Cunard, who was from halifax, and founding partner of the Halifax Steam Boat company, which operated a series of Horse and Steam powered ferries across the Harbour.
