BBC Europe - heading south

 The title of this post has a sort of double meaning. First, and most obvious, is the fact that the general cargo / heavy lift ship BBC Europe sailed today, December 26, for Fort Lauderdale / Port Everglades, FL with its cargo of eleven motor yachts, loaded on the Great Lakes.

The ship arrived here in Halifax on December 20 to lay over until a period of high winds abated.[ See previous post December 21] Now with calm conditions the ship was able to head south, with minimal risk to its valuable deck load.

Before it could head out to sea however, the ship had to turn, since it was docked at Pier 9C, bow north (toward Bedford Basin). With the assistance of the tug Altantic Larch the ship was able to turn right under the A. Murray MacKay bridge (something I have never seen before) and then proceed southbound for sea.

 

Just off the dock at Pier 9C the ship began its turn.

The ship is small enough at 120m long that it could be turned within the channel. 

(The main span of the bridge is 426 meters)

Atlantic Larch is not one of the usual Halifax based tugs, but was sharing the duties after it returned from operations in Newfoundland. 

Atlantic Larch followed the ship outbound.

Once into the lower harbour BBC Europe picked up a little speed.

Outbound, the ship passed Imperial Oil where the Qikiqtaaluk W. was unloading product from the Valero refinery in Quebec City (Lévis). The tanker arrived in Halifax Christmas Day.

 .