John Paul de Joria

 Halifax has hosted numerous "protest vessels" over the years, many related to Capt. Paul Watson. He came to notice among those opposed to the seal hunt and later to whaling.  Names of some of the ships have been the Sea Shepherd I and II, Cleveland Amory and Farley Mowat. Some of which were arrested and forfeited due to protest activities.

The latest ship is associated with the Paul Watson Foundation. Named the John Paul de Joria it arrived at the C.O.V.E dock in Dartmouth on August 8. The reason for its presence here is the detention of Capt. Watson on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland on a Japanese Interpol "Red" Warrant. The ship arrived there for bunkers and re-supply en route to the North Pacific via a Northwest Passage. Its intention was to intercept the Japanese whaling ship Kangei Maru. However the plan was disrupted when the Greenland police arrested Capt. Watson on charges related to whale hunt protest activities in 2010. He was then incarcerated as a flight risk.

Initially the detention was to be until August 15 but that was extended to October 2 and most recently to October 23. Watson's lawyers have appealed to the Danish supreme court on grounds including that Watson could not receive a fair trial in Japan.

The John Paul De Joria was built in 1982 as the fisheries patrol vessel Vigilant by  Ferguson Bros of Port Glasgow. After service with the UK government, then by various Dutch and British owners it was acquired ca 2022 by the Paul Watson Foundation, an environmental protection organisation,  (or the Sea Shepherd Society). It was renamed John Paul De Joria after a US billionaire. In a break from tradition, it has been painted with a "disruptive" paint pattern. Sea Shepherd vessels were usually painted all block, however in this case it is in combinaitons of blue / grey shades.

Regretably technical issues prevent posting a photo at this time.

 

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Cruise Triple Header

 It was another three cruise ship day today, September 28. All three ships were able to tie up at piers, so there was no need for any ship to anchor and ferry people ashore in tenders.

First arrival was the Crystal Serenity - the largest ship of the three. It docked at Pier 22. (Photo taken on departure.)

 

Built in 2003 by Chantier de l'Atlantique, St-Nazaire, it is a 68,870 gt vessel with a capacity of 1,040 passengers and 655 crew. In 2016 its voyage from Vancouver to New York set a record as the largest ship to make the Northwest Passage. It is now en route from Quebec City and Baie-Comeau for Saint John, NB.

The next arrival was the Nautica, which, due to its relatively small size, could use Pier 23.

 

Chantier de l'Atlantique built the ship in 2000 as R Five for Renaissance Cruises. With a tonnage of 30,277 gt, it has a capacity of 684 (lowers) or 824 (all berths) and a crew of 386. in 2004 NCL Bahamas renamed the ship Nautica and it is part of the Oceania Cruises fleet. Its next port of call is Sydney, NS.

 

Following soon after was the Seven Seas Grandeur. The ship made its first call here September 14, but I was only able to catch it departing. Today, despite the gloomy sky, I was able to see it on arrival for Pier 20. The 56,199 gt ship, built in 2023 by Fincantieri Monfalcone can carry 750 passengers and 542 crew.