The confluence of two low pressure storm centres off Cape Breton today, November 4, is bringing heavy rain, which the region needs badly, but also some less desirable very high winds and rough seas. Regional ferry services between Saint John, NB and Digby, NS; Caribou, NS and Wood Islands PE; and North Sydney, NS and Port aux Basques, NL have all had cancellations or delays. In an unusual move Bay Ferries advanced the departure time of the Fundy Rose from Saint John this morning by three hours to get a crossing in ahead of the bad weather.
Other ships depending on their destination, opted to remain in port or to bypass a port or to take shelter until conditions improved. Some ships rerouted to take a southern sweep to pass behind the north easterly moving storm (technically an extratropical cyclone).
Last evening the cement carrier NACCArgonaut en route from Providence, RI to Port Daniel, QC, and in ballast, put in to Halifax rather than being caught out in the Gulf of St.Lawrence. The ship tied up at Pier 26.
The Canadian flag ship was built by Kyukyo Shipyard Corp in Shimonoseki in 2003, as a gearless bulk carrier named Arklow Wave. In 2017 - 2018 it was rebuilt as a cement carrier with a pneumatic self-unloading system. Nova Algoma Cement Carriers renamed the ship NACC Toronto briefly but later in 2018 changed its name to NACC Argonaut after Toronto's professional football team, the Argonauts. Its tonnages are now 9255 gt, 13,977 dwt, or 12,576 dwt in summer freshwater.
Two fleet mates the NACC Providence and NACC New Yorker, opted to shelter deep in St. Margaret's Bay (to the southwest of Halifax) off Queensland and Mill Cove respectively.
After closing out the cruise season in previous ports, the Allura opted not to call in Halifax this morning (November 4), instead continuing southbound to Boston. Two other cruise ships did decide to call.
The Victory 1 arrived mid-day from the Great Lakes via Charlottetown and the Strait of Canso.
The former Cape May Light, built in 2001 by Atlantic Marine in Jacksonville, FL, has been in Halifax previously under several of its former names: Sea Voyager, Saint Laurent and Ocean Voyager. It can carry up to 210 passengers in 105 suites and has a crew of 61. Its "retro" look is supposed to recall the grand inland passengers ships of the early 20th century. It has a substantial rub rail and fenders to prevent damage while transiting the St.Lawrence Seaway locks (and the Canso lock, which was built to the same dimensions.)
Due later today is the Seabourn Sojourn. It will remain in port until tomorrow afternoon.
One ship that opted to depart today was the container ship MSC Yang R, a first time caller here on the Canada Express route from Malaga, Sines, Antwerp and Le Havre, it is bound for Montreal. Since it will be following in the storm's wake, so to speak, it may do some slow steaming to avoid catching up.
A product of Samsung Shipbuilding & Heavy Industry Co Ltd in Geoje in 2002 it sailed initially under the name Cap San Rafael. In 2012 it was renamed Cap Doukato until 2017 when it became the Doukato and in the same year took the name Xin Feng Yang Zi Jiang which it carried until 2021 when it was acquired by MSC and got its present name. A 40,085 gt, 51,059 dwt ship, it has a capacity of 3739 TEU with 800 reefer plugs.
On sailing today, the ship appeared very lightly loaded, having off loaded enough cargo here to reduce its draft here to suit St.Lawrence River conditions.
The container ship ZIM Atlantic arrived yesterday and remains in port until early tomorrow morning (November 5).
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