CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V.

 It will be a sad end for the CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. On November 17, 2018 vandals cut mooring lines while the ship was drydocked at Sambro, NS. The ship slipped off its cradle and partially capsized, with most internal spaces flooded.

The vessel was quickly righted but the damage was done, with estimates of up to $11 million to replace wiring and major components and repair the other damage. The government issued various contracts to stablize the ship and prepare it for rebuild, but in the end it was found to be too expensive.

In August 2024 the Coast Guard issued an RFP to dismantle the ship It has now been announced that Marine Recycling Corp's proposal to transport, break up and recycle was accepted for the sum of $412,467.25. The scrapping will take place at the company's yard at Edwardsville, NS (in Sydney Harbour). (MRC is based in Port Colborne, ON and has a larger facility there.)

After the vessel was righted it was partially cocooned while assessment was taking place.

 The CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. was the sixth Hero class patrol vessel built by Halifax Shipyard. It was launched September 13, 2013, completed October 26, 2013 and commissioned in 2014.

Built to a modified Damen design, the Hero boats were the last ships to be launched on the slipway at Halifax Shipyard.

Immediately after launch the ship was towed to Pier 9B for final fitting out.

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Nolhanava - still sharp, and other traffic

The ConRo feeder ship that links Halifax with St-Pierre et Miquelon is still a striking sight, even after eight months of  weekly service. Nolhanava is unmistakable, for it resembles no other ship in shape and colour.
 

It arrived in Halifax Thursday evening and anchored during a snow storm with blizzard conditions. Today, while waiting for its customary berth at pier 36, it showed off that form and hue in bright sun.

Built in 2000 in Constanza, Romania, as Shamrock, the 4654 grt ship was refitted in China in 2015-2016 with an exhaust gas scrubber system and acquired its elaborate paint scheme. It arrived back in Halifax in June 2016 and resumed the St-Pierre service that it was built for. As Shamrock it had operated on the run from January 2001 for only three years before it was sold and sent to the Caribbean. It returned to Halifax in April 2015 and resumed it original service until September 2015 when it sailed to China for the refit.

Also anchoring over night in Halifax was the Canadian general cargo ship Evans Spirit. The ship was en route from Baltimore to Sept-Iles and put in for shelter. It sailed early this afternoon - skillfully eluding this photographer.

There are lots of photos on the net however: https://www.google.ca/search?q=evans+spirit&biw=1205&bih=719&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjy3ema2YbSAhVB7CYKHU5VAH0Q_AUIBigB

It was built in 2007 by KNS Delfzijl, Netherlands (on a hull built in Turkey) as Spavalda for Italian owners. McKeil Marine bought the ship in 2015 and named it after company founder Evans McKeil, a Nova Scotia native. As Evans Spirit it has been put to work carrying aluminum ingots out of Sept-Iles, but is also fitted to carry bulk cement. Its shallow draft allows it to call in ports that other ships can't reach. Tonnages are 9,286 grt, 15,026 dwt.  A sister ship, named Ardita has also been acquired by McKeil Marine and will be operating under foreign flag for a time, but is expected to become Canadian later this year. McKeil has recently been awarded a major cement hauling contract on the Great Lakes, which it is expected to serve.

Arriving this afternoon, CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. still had some traces of snow and ice on it from last night's storm. Built by Halifax Shipyard to a Damen design, it was completed in October 2013 and is based in Halifax.

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Ted and Bill - back home after their excellent adventure

The Canadian Coast Guard ships Edward Cornwallis and Sir William Alexander are tied up at the DFO pier at the Bedford Institute for the first time in a month.
Both vessels, classed as light icebreakers, were sent out far afield from Halifax this winter and spring, to provide icebreaking services in Newfoundland, and only appeared in their home port a month ago for crew change.

Sir William Alexander with the newly commissioned Corporal McLaren M.M.V.
 

Sir William Alexander left her home baser in January and aside from the May 14 crew change, was working in Newfoundland, PEI and the Gulf of St.Lawrence.

Edward Cornwallis and G.Peddle SC.

Edward Cornwallis was last in Halifax May 13 for crew change and returned immediately to Newfoundland, only sailing for home June 7. Newfoundland-based Cape Roger was in Nova Scotia waters covering her for Search + Rescue and patrol until this week.

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A. LeBlanc - sea trials today

Number seven in the Coast Guard Hero class patrol boats conducted trails to day. This morning it worked in Bedford Basin, returning briefly to pier 9B then out to sea for the afternoon. It crept back into port at slow speed - also part of its trials.

A. LeBlanc leaves pier 9B for sea trials at noon time today. In the background CCGS G. Peddle S.C. (fifth in the series) is berthed at the Bedford Institute, under the bows of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. In the meantime CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. (number six) is on patrol in southwest Nova Scotia waters.

 

After trails have been completed, and the boat handed over to the CCG , A. LeBlanc will be based in Quebec.

 

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CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V.

The newest Canadian Coast Guard cutter, CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V., was registered in Ottawa on October 28, signifying that it has been handed over by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. The boat is still alongside the pier 9B fitting out berth,but it has conducted sea trials and boat trials. The latter involved launching the fast rescue craft and rendez-vousing with a civilian helicopter on October 24. I have never seen this particular trial carried out before.

1. Heading for the Basin, October 24, with the crew readying the fast rescue craft for trials.

2. Non-military, non-CCG helicopter passes over the FRC, which is hidden from the camera, on the other side of the ship.

3. A high speed turn left a standing wake at least two feet high. These boats make an impressive sight at speed.

4, During trials, and before handover, the ship flies the Irving Shipbuilding Inc flag.