3. CG needs ships lack of vessels is a problem for the CG. a Fall survey was canceled after the ship used in the spring was unsuitable, Plus there are no functioning buoy tenders on the East coast due to refits and work periods.
Nov 18 1942: HMCS GODERICH is damaged in collision with the tanker Iocoma, in Halifax harbour, requiring three weeks of repairs.
Nov 16 1857: PO William Hall earns Victoria Cross while serving in HMS SHANNON at Relief of Lucknow, India. He is 1st Candian, Black and Nova Scotian Sailor to be awarded the VC.
Nov 15 1991: HMCS ALGONQUIN, while undergoing post-TRUMP tilting/incline trials at Halifax, takes on water and lists to 25 degrees on her port side.
Nov 15 1987: The freighter Hosanna I registered in Honduras sinks without a trace off Cape Race Newfoundland. All the crew of 33 are lost.
Nov 13 1942: USS Juneau was sunk in the Pacific. All five brothers of the Sullivan family, Waterloo, Iowa were killed.
Nov 12 1912: The frozen bodies of Robert Scott and his men are found on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
This week in the Herald, I outline the likely cause of one oceans troubles, and some of their shoddy practices. I have spoken with several former crew, and others associated with OOE, and pretty much everyone is willing to talk.
One
of the crew members I spoke with indicated that auctions were held on
board ship to raise money for various Non-governmental organizations.
She suggested It was an open secret that the NGO’s were not receiving
the funds. This story was also corroborated by another crew member told
me that one of the signature items available for onboard auction was a
Nautical Chart of the Voyage, marked with ship’s positions and course,
and then decorated with images of area wildlife. These charts typically
sold in the $2000-4000usd range, and 10-12 were produced on various
cruises.
I
spoke with Ron Naveen, the president of Oceanites. The organization has
for the past 25 years conducted a Antarctic penguin survey, and had
researchers travel aboard One Ocean ships. Ron indicated that One Ocean
had been a good partner in supporting their work, and had raised money
for the organization, however One Ocean was always slow to pass on funds
raised, and is currently 2 years behind in remitting funds raised.
Naveen
believes the losses to Oceanites are in the 6 figures, both from funds
raised but not delivered, and from future fundraising conducted by
other organizations on OOE Cruises. He has also had to find other
companies to facilitate the work they do.
John
Geiger, the CEO of The Royal Canadian Geographic Society also indicated
they had suffered losses, but were unable to detail what they were or
the amounts as the organizations board had yet to be briefed. The
Society granted the use of the RCGS honorific to OOE’s ship Resolute, in
recognition of OOE’s stong support of research in polar regions.
According to its website, OOE started the One Ocean Foundation in 2017 “to house the growing financial contributions from both passengers and One Ocean Expeditions.”
the One Ocean Foundation is a registered Charity in Richmond Hill Ont. Its CRA Filings list three trustees, William J Trotter , Emily R Trotter , and James D Trotter. The foundation shares an address with Wm. J. Trotter & Associates, an accounting firm. BEDI Management, which was also identified as one oceans accounting firm is also located at that address. BEDI management also showed up on credit card statements when down payments were made.
Information posted on CRA’s website show the foundation received 25,000 in revenue in 2018 – Grieger told me transfers to their organization, when they occurred, were in the $30-40,000 range, which suggests that the foundation was at best only receiving a portion of the funds raised.
The latest US Navy Littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis is due this morning, and is expected at the dockyard around 8:30am. the ship is sailing from its builders in Wisconsin, to Mayport Florida.
The ship was commissioned Oct 26 in Burns Harbor Indiana.
photos will follow, but may be delayed due to weather.
This week, haligonians
will collect up their trash and take it to the curb. It’s such a normal
activity, we think nothing of it, and no one really notices the trash
piled at the end of the driveway waiting collection.
Last year in Belgium, 250000kg of unexploded ordnance was dug up by farmers and construction workers just going on with their normal lives. When people find it, they stack it on the side of the road, and call the army to collect it. Since the end of the first world war, its munitions have killed over 300 people.
Tyne-Cot Cemetery in Belgium. there are 8000 Canadians here.
the remnants of war are common, and normal, just like taking out the trash.
Today the battlefields of Belgium are pastoral. There is little sign of the destruction that the war caused – though its there if you know to look. The town of Ypres in Belgium looks hundreds of years old, though the date on the oldest building is 1922. though the town stayed in Allied hands throughout the war, it was obliterated.
When you visit vimy ridge, the monument is striking. But so is the landscape. The ground is pockmarked with shell holes, one connecting with another, no spot untouched. If you ski, and know what a field of mougles look like – that’s Vimy ridge, though grassy, and now dotted with trees. Fences and signs warning of unexploded shells keep you on the roads.
this is where in flanders fields was written.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields.
Major John McCrae, a field surgeon in the Canadian artillery, in the midst of the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium, in May 1915. He died of pneumonia at Wimereux, France on January 28, 1918.
AOPS #2 has been moved to the basin. The launch will occur tomorrow morning, with the barge beginning to submerge at 4am. Shipyard staff are scheduled to board the ship at 2:45 to check tanks, and valves for leaks as the ship is lowered into the water.
under the Mackayin the basinanchoring in the basin.
AOPS #2 the future HMCS Margaret Brooke was loaded onto the launching barge at the shipyard this afternoon. Based on the schedule of the first ship, the launch will occur in the basin tomorrow, though this is unconfirmed at this point.
UPDATE: Pilot order for the Move to the basin is for 13:00 Tomorrow. timing suggests the actual launch will be after dark tomorrow evening.
The Boa Barge 37 was spun around at the shipyard today, in preparation of launching AOPS #2. With 2 coasting trade applications, the barge can be used between Oct 17 and Dec 23. an extension was requested, as the original application ended on Nov 17. The SPMT Transporters are also on site, and assembled.
Finally, word is the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, will begin sea trials this Friday. the ABCO landing craft is also sitting on the pier. its a good looking boat.
Are you owed money or had a trip canceled by One Ocean? Contact me at peter@halifaxshippingnews.ca
The Story of One Ocean is Interesting, and began after I tweeted a link to a CBC Piece. Shortly after, I was contacted by a Nova Scotia woman, who was part of the canceled cruise. That was the impetuous for this piece in Friday’s Herald.
this is all that was of a 19 day trip that was supposed to end Nov 6.
The RCGS Resolute’s latest trip was canceled after it had barely got underway. The ship sailed from Buenos Aries on October 19th at 19:30. 2 days later the ship would stop in Puerto Madryn for fuel. after 2 days, sufficient fuel could not be obtained, and One Ocean Expeditions canceled the cruise, and the ship would be returning to Buenos Aires. The Ship arrived the in Buenos Aries the morning of the 27th. and the passengers disembarked.
One Ocean then posted this Statement to its Facebook page. Despite the Note that the page is not monitored, someone is reportedly actively deleting negative comments left on the post.
One Ocean posted this statement on its facebook page.
Hot on the trail of Unpaid Bills, I have now spoken with 3 crew, I now believe OOE owes at least $1,000,000 cdn to former crew.
Crew
on board the ship work as contractors. They sign on for a contract on a
fixed term. In the case of OOE, the contracts were structured so 50% of
the value of the contract was paid over the term of the contract every
30 days, and the remaining 50% 60 days after completion. While pay
underway was often late, the majority of what is owed appears to be this
post contract 50%. In most cases this amounts to over $10,000US per
person. there are over 60 people waiting for payment.
By Contrast, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines pays on the 15th and 30th of every month. So if you have a 6 month contract, the value is divided into 12 pay periods – just like working a normal job.
Two of the former crew I spoke too were part of the action that saw the ship arrested in Halifax. One who requested to remain anonymous, discovered the RCGS Resolute was in port when her new ship tied up next to it. A phone call to a lawyer began the proceeding to get the ship arrested.
8
former crew of the Resolute were able to take part in the action
against the ship in Halifax. That does little for those who only served
on the 2 Russian vessels recalled by their owner in May, or were unable
to participate. Those 8 were fortunate and were paid in full.
Chris
Guzzo was the named party on the Suite. He worked in the Hotelling
section on board the resolute since 2016, and was owed $11,600US. He is
still working in Antarctica, for another firm, and says by comparison
OOE was slave labour. His current employer has better pay, and shorter hours.
The
second crew member who wished to remain anonymous told me that some
crew who were owed money received a payment of 3000$ in July. Regardless
of what was owed. She is out about $12,000cdn.
OOE
is able to get staff to overlook poor conditions due to the allure of
working in exotic polar locations. But it seems a fair number of staff
still believe the company is good for the money, despite being strung
along and ignored for over a year. The staff who don’t want to be named
tell me they don’t want to be seen attacking the company, in hopes the
loyalty and good will see them paid sooner.
I
Have also been told one ocean has yet to remit funds raised for an NGO.
Cruises host auctions to raise money, and OOE’s website says 250,000us
is raised every year. This has apparently been an open secret onboard
the ships for at least 2 years. I have reached out to a couple of
organizations that appeared on One oceans website for comment.
One Oceans Next cruise is scheduled to depart Nov 6, The company is silent, and some passengers for that trip have flights Thursday.
UPDATE Oct 31 23:20: the November 6 Departure is now Apparently Canceled. A Person booked on the cruise, and was flying down today received word from their travel agent while sitting on their Aircraft with a Flight Delay. they have not yet received official word from OOE.
UPDATE Nov 1. I heard from Terragelida Ship Management, whom OOE had chartered both the Akademik Ioffe and the Sergey Vallov from. Ivan Budarin told me that the Ioffe was extensively damaged in its grounding, but was repaired and went on the serve the Antarctic season as scheduled. OOE however declined to assist Terragelida in the rescue and repairs, and Terragelida is now commenced legal proceedings in London to recover expenses.
I also found another passenger from the aborted cruise, who is now on a Brizilian trip, thanks the good work of his tour operator Rockjumper Tours, whom everyone is raving about.
UPDATE Nov 2, 0848: Looking further into the arrangement between Terragelida and OOE. The Cape Breton Spectator told the story of how the arrangement really ended, and appears to not match what OOE has publicly said.
In an additional question to Terragelida, i was able to confirm that Terragelida also provided crew with the Ships. so it would have been someone working for Terragelida, and not OOE who ran the ship into the rock in Nunavut. That might explain the reluctance of OOE to pay for salvage and repairs.
One of the Expedition crew i spoke with was on board at the time of the grounding. She reported that the seabed that the ship grounded on was not on the chart.
UPDATE Nov 2, 2100: While detained in Canada in September, the ship underwent a port state control inspection. Payment of wages was a noted deficiency in that inspection. During its 48 hour stop over in Rio, Oct 14, the Brazilian Gov also performed a Port State control inspection, Finding no Deficiencies.
Movements of the ship since departing halifax.
Unlike the Russian vessels, RCGS Resolute looks to be crewed by Columbia Cruise Services based in Hamburg Germany. The registered owner of the ship since 1998 is the Bahamas registered company Bunnys Cruise and Adventure.
There is now a Facebook group setup for people who have booked trips to exchange information. Included is the letter that canceled the Nov 6th trip. OOE is still offering a replacement cruise.
UPDATE Nov 3 2345: hearing from more people owed money, and missing out on trips. I’m putting together a time line to help understand everything that has gone on. I discovered 2 additional suits in federal court. on Aug 8, OOE filed a claim against the Ioffe. on Aug 31, Inland life rafts and marine claimed against the resolute.
I also heard that a July East coast cruise had 3 stops skipped as the resolute sought fuel in Placentia Bay NL, after it was unavailable in Sydney.
UPDATE Nov 05: It appears this law firm https://www.venetucci.net has the RCGS Resolute under arrest in Bunoes Aires Argentina over unpaid fuel bills. I have reached out to the firm to find out what is owed. still working on fundraising issues, and now alleged safety and pollution problems.
UPDATE Nov 6: Received an update that the ship was infact arrested November 1 in Buenos Aires on behalf of Danish Bunker traders. Have been doing alot of background research on One Ocean – i get the sense it was generally a slap-shod operation. More to come.
A New communication Has come out from OOE, stating they foresee no future cancellations. at this time. The next cruise is due to sail Nov 21. they my see the need to cancel it Nov 20th.
Copy of the Letter.
UPDATE Nov 7: I have added a timeline of relevant events. I am told that Payments to Terragelida stopped shortly after cruises resumed on the Ioffe in January 2019. Damage to the Ioffe was in excess of 7 million dollars, and 41tons of steel was replaced. machinery and Scientific equipment was also damaged.
2017
July 31
OOE Announces the RCGS Resolute.
2018
Aug 24
Akademik Ioffe runs aground in the Arctic.
Aug 27
Akademik Ioffe pax arrive in Edmonton.
Sept 12
Akademik Ioffe temp repairs are complete, sails for inspection
Sept 17
Akademik Ioffe sails Les Mechins PQ, where Verreault Navigation
Sept 25
Akademik Ioffe arrives at shipyard for repairs It sounds like the length of time needed for repairs was extended by 10 days a few times..
Oct 16
RCGS Resolute re-commissioned in Sydney NS
Nov 16
RCGS Resolute maiden cruise in Antarctica
Dec 27
Akademik Ioffe leaves the shipyard and heads south to begin Antarctic season late
2019
Jan 21
Pax told the cruise scheduled for the 22nd would now leave on the 24th, and be modified.
Jan 24
Akademik Ioffe Cruses
May 18
Passengers with bookings on Akademik Ioffe and Vavilov notified of cancelations. promises refunds in 90 days
May 21
OOE Release that Akademik Ioffe and Sergey Vavilov taken back by Russians
May 28
Sergey Vavilov is withdrawn by Terragelida.
May 29
P.P. Shirshov institute says they have a good contract with Terragelida ship Management. Not OOE.
July 6
Terragelida terminates Akademik Ioffe contract.
July 20 -30
RCGS Resolute alters schedule to find fuel in Placentia Bay, skipping 3 stops on Labrador and Torngat Mountains Explorer Trip.
Aug 8
OOE Sues the Akademik Ioffe in federal Court t-1290-19
Aug 9
RCGS Resolute Arrested in Nunavut. Sails 8 hours later. 100k owed to Atship Services.
Sept 20
RCGS Resolute Arrested in Halifax – 8 former crew are paid
Sept 24
Resolute sails for Antarctic season.
Sept 25
reports that one ocean has been stringing along people in need of refunds from paid for trips on the Russian ships appears on trip advisor
Oct 19
RCGS Resolute Cruise Departs Buenos Aires at 1930.
Oct 22
Resolute stops in Puerto Madryn for fuel
Oct 24
Unable to obtain fuel, OOE cancels cruise at 13:30, ship sails back to Buenos Aries
Oct 27
RCGS Resolute returns to Buenos Aries
Oct 31
OOE Cancels next cruise scheduled to depart Nov 6. INLAND LIFERAFTS & MARINE LIMITED filed a claim in federal court against the resolute
Nov 1
RCGS Resolute Arrested in Buenos Aries, by unpaid Danish Bunker Broker.
OOE Has also canceled the Nov 6 cruise with a letter.
UPDATE Nov 20: A new letter has been received with an update.
I also received the following comments about the Fins and Fiddles trip this past summer, from a tour group leader.
STAFF The speakers were amazing and very knowledgeable. The zodiac drivers were great and the boat crew fine. ( what I had not raise in the original letter was that the zodiac drivers turned up late and some did not have a ticket and the ship was boarded by SYDNEY officials to interview all the drivers. Not sure what it was about but looked like some of the zodiac crew not licensed. ) SYDNEY NOVA SCOTIA No airport transfer on arrival for 15 people. Poor oversight by office. Your emergency number did not answer. ( this is a big deal when you arrive late at night – on flights they organised – and there is no one to meet you or explain anything. We all got taxis to the hotel )
DAY 1 DRIVE TO LOUISBERG No welcome announcement on bus or general instructions over bus PA. I was not going to mention it but some of your other Canadian customers mentioned it to me and were surprised that there was no official welcome followed by instructions. ( really slack !! )
FOOD Personally I enjoyed the food and the serving staff were excellent. From speaking with our clients and other passengers a few points came up that bear consideration. The dinning presentation formula which consisted of – one meat, one fish, one vegetarian and salad became repetitive. The meat and fish was almost always on a bed of barely pearl. Which was very nice but every night became a bit tiresome. Two of my fish meals were inedible. Either too tough or uncooked. The BBQs were great and a welcome change. The dinning room was very hot, stuffy and noisy and all our group complained about this fact. The queues for salads were also quite long and irritating.
ZODIAC DEPARTURES Unfortunately many of your guests ( both ours and other Canadians) had already been with other companies so they frequently made comparisons. The major daily complaint was that almost the whole boat turned up for Zodiac departures at the same time. This caused congestion and confusion. Our clients who had been with other companies said that on other boat trips the ship had been divided into groups.
For example the first group one was advised to depart at say 0900. Group two was advised to leave at 0930 etc. No confusion or congestion almost no waiting.
Some members became quite agitated with very long waiting times. One particular day my wife waited over one hour for a Zodiac departure. Far more sensible to anticipate how long it takes and have passengers attend when the Zodiacs are actually ready – as other companies do. (Does not sound too bad but at the time it pissed many people off. On one day I could see that the ocean was probably going to be too choppy. But the leader advised everyone to get dressed to go into the zodiacs. So everyone got ready, went out and then waited and waited and then told it was cancelled due to rough seas. I am not a sailor but could see in two seconds that the zodiacs would not be going out. THEN on another occasion when the seas were calm zodiacs were cancelled due to rough weather. That was when we were supposed to visit a local historic village on one of the French islands. They probably did not have enough money for the entrance fees. )
MUD ROOM Additionally our clients said that their wet weather gear was often lost in the mud room. I have been advised that other companies have specific numbered cupboards in the mud room for passengers gear so nothing goes missing and the cabins are less cluttered. The One Ocean mud room was generally a mess with boots everywhere. However the life jackets were generally neat and tidy.
THE BAR far too small and many did not attend talks due to stuffy confined environment.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Not always audible in certain areas of the boat. When senior staff were in the zodiacs there were sometimes no announcements and guests went down and waited assuming that it was time.
THE LAST DAY On the final day no one was in the bar to serve coffee and passengers were going behind the bar to serve themselves. No mugs were on the rack and passengers were opening the dish washer to get them. I should add that the coffee machine was faulty and did not often work.
SUMMARY Finally I must reiterate that I enjoyed the trip but that I heard a lot of people complaining. Everything else aside if you address the zodiac boarding and mud room issues, it would go a long way to making the voyage more enjoyable.
The New tug venture is proving mysterious – As I mentioned in the article, existing markets are dominated by incumbents. One Industry source contacted me this morning and suggested that they may be setting up to provide services for the Goldboro LNG Export Facility -positing that they would only have success at a new terminal.
Another thought along those lines is that the firm exists on paper to collect a retainer as a service provider to one of the container terminals proposed for Sydney, or the Straight of Canso. time will tell.
Nolhan Ava with a full load of new containers, 2016
