CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell - heading west

CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell sailed from St.John's, NL on Monday, October 28. The ship has been transferred to the west coast as part of the longer term SAR ship replacement program. Normally based in St.John's it has worked out of Halifax from time to time over the years particularly for the fall opening of lobster season when there may be extra calls for search and rescue.

Once it reaches Victoria, BC the Grenfell will replace CCGS Bartlett until new ships are delivered.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell was built in 1985 by Marystown Shipyard as an offshore support vessel and converted for CCG Search and Rescue. The vessel it will replace, CCGS Bartlett, was built in 1969 by Marine Industries Ltd in Sorel, QC as a medium endurance multi-task vessel. A Provo Wallis class vessel it was refitted in 1988 by Halifax Shipyard and again in 2010 by Allied Shipbuilders in North Vancouver. That refit was to give the ship ten more years of service, which will soon be up.

Both ships carry names that are well known in Newfoundland. Capt. Bob Bartlett, a native of Brigus, had a fleeting connection with Victoria - see https://www.victoriaharbourhistory.com/harbour-stories/explorers/archibald-menzies-2/  but is better known for his arctic exploits.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell, born in England, was a medical missionary to Newfoundland. His work in providing medical and later vocational aid to Newfoundlanders, Labradorians and Innu from his base in St.Anthony is legendary. The Wikipedia entry probably does not do justice but provides a brief overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfred_Grenfell.

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Roundabout the harbour

HMCS Toronto put to sea this morning for a day of exercises. With a storm brewing in from the sou'east (again) the ship was back in port by evening.

HMCS Toronto recovers its RHIB. It had returned the navy pilot back to the Dockyard.

The biggest thing that happened in Halifax harbour today was the Malta flag bulk carrier Proti at number one anchorage for Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) inspection en route from Rotterdam (Maasvlakte) to Sept-Iles for a cargo of iron ore.

Built in 2015 by Japan Marine United, Ariake, as Indomitable, the 93,297 grt, 182,476 dwt ship was sold and renamed in 2016. (Japan United was formed in 2013 by merging Universal Shipbuilding and Ishikawajima - Harima Heavy Industries. It is now the second largest shipbuilder in Japan.)

Inspection completed, the pilot boat heads out to the Poti.

The ship spent no longer in port than it absolutely had to, and was gone as soon as the inspection was completed.


Another arrival for AGM inspection was the tanker Silver Express. A Mid-Range tanker of 26,900 grt, 47,701 dwt, it was built by Onomichi Zosen, in Onomichi Japan in 2009. It also used stay in port to take on bunkers.

 Algoma Dartmouth has taken up position alongside the ship for bunkering.

The ship arrived from New Haven CT, and does not show a destination, but is likely headed for Newfoundland.


Another Mid-Range tanker arrival was the NS Stella 27,357 grt, 47,197 dwt arriving from Saint John for Irving Oil.

Owned by the Russian company Sovcomflot, it is nevertheless registered in Liberia and managed from Dubai by SCF Management Services (a SovComFlot subsidiary). It was last in Halifax in Septmber 2016 when it docked at Imperial Oil.


There has been a bit of an unveiling at the Bedford Institute, as the hoarding around the wheelhouse and bow of CCGS Hudson has been removed. Bridge window replacement was apparently part of the refit work that the ship had yet to complete when it returned from Hamilton, ON last fall. The ship is looking pretty good, so it seems possible that it will make the revised completion date of April.

On March 7, work was still underway from staging around the bridge and bow.

Also a number of fenders had been rigged. 
The yellow bags are in fact water weight used to test the ship's davits.

Today all that was cleared away and the ship is returning to normal appearance.

Also in at the BIO is the CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell after assisting the distressed vessel Nordika Desagagnés off Louisbourg. [see Tugfax].

The ship was built originally as an anchor handling tug supplier and although converted for Search + Rescue, it still has its stern roller and winch house.

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Got 'em (all) - (oops) better late than never

 I intended to post this on October 14, but it somehow got stuck in my "drafts" file. Here it is late. 
 
It isn't often that I get the chance to capture every arrival and departure on a given day, but the combination of excellent weather, and a free Saturday made it possible.

First in was the Norwegian Jade. This is the first time I have seen this ship, built in 2006 as Pride of Hawai'i for Norwegian Cruise Lines' ill-fated American venture. After the line had huge losses, it was reassigned to Europe in 2008 and renamed, but apparently kept much of its Hawaiian themed décor. Until March of this year that is, when it was given an intensive three week refit and re-do.

By this time the sun was fully up (and directly in line with arrivals), so I skipped the next arrival, hoping to get it later on departure. Fritz Reuter (see below) tied up at pier 42.

The CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell left the Coast Guard base at BIO at 0800 for exercises offshore with Zodiacs.

Stationed in Newfoundland, the ship has been in these parts for a month or so replacing CCGS Earl Grey for the time being.

Built in 1985 in Marystown, NL as a supply ship on spec for the Newfoundland government, the MoT purchased and converted in 1987 for search and rescue work. It was removed from service and de-stored in a cost cutting purge in 2013, but was re-activated. It had a major refit this spring so should be in service for several years to come.

While in Dartmouth I noted the bunkering tanker Algoma Dartmouth tied up at the Irving Oil Woodside terminal. This may be a first.

When Algoma took over harbour bunkering, the fuel supplier was the Imperial Oil refinery. When the refinery shut down  Stirling Fuels (part of  Miller/ McAsphalt Industries) secured the fuel provision contract. At various times the ship has gone to Point Tupper to load at NuStar's tank storage, or has received fuel brought from Central Canada aboard McAsphalt's own tug/barge.
Since Stirling is not a refiner in its own right, I guess they can buy fuel wherever they want, so perhaps this time they have sourced in from Irving Oil.
Algoma Dartmouth can carry diesel or heavy fuel oil as needed.

 Next in was the small cargo / container ship Hollandia working for Nirint Shipping. It arrived with nickel cargo from Cuba and has been a regular caller since 2014.

 

It was built in 2007 by the Damen Okean Mykolayiv, Ukraine shipyard and finished by Damen Hoogezand, Foxhol, Netherlands. Launched as Trinitas it was renamed Nirint Hollandia on delivery. It measures 8,999 grt, 12,000 dwt and carries two 80 tonne cranes. It was renamed in 2012.

The largest arrival of the day was the impressive CMA CGM Thames. With is split superstructure it looks much bigger than its container capacity would suggest. At 95,263 grt, 113,900 dwt, that capacity is reported to be 9365 TEU, including 1458 reefers.

Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company built the ship in 2015.

At one point late in the afternoon all four Halterm cranes were alongside the ship, but only three were actually working. The southernmost crane (near the bow) was moved out of the way of the departing Friz Reuter - see below.

There was one more arrival, this morning, the cruise ship Seabourn Quest following on the heels of CMA CGM Thames.

 The ship is on a return visit to Halifax.

Seen from a slightly better angle leaving pier 23 on October 10.

Noted for its luxury cruises to Antarctica for only 450 passengers, Seabourn has the smallest cruise ships in any major fleet.
It was completed in 2011 by the T.Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, on a hull built by Viktor Lenac in Rijeka and measures 32,346 grt. It has many amenities but also has a number of Zodiacs garaged in the hull for passenger excursions.

By late afternoon Fritz Reuter was ready to sail.
 

The ship had arrived in the morning and tied up at Pier 42 and used two of Halterm's cranes.
The 1732 TEU (including 379 reefers) ship is on its 32nd trip for Melfi Lines. Starting in 2013 the ship has been a regular caller every five weeks on Melfi's Europe via Halifax to Cuba service.
The 18,480 grt, 23,732 dwt ship dates from 2006 when it was launched as Maruba Zonda by Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard Co Ltd. It assumed its current name on delivery a few months later.


As soon as Fritz Reuter was off the berth the next ship berthed (its bow is just visible in the photo above). EM Kea is on its regular visit as part of the Maersk / CMA CGM transatlantic service. So as not to block the channel for the outbound Reuter, the ship made an unusual turn to port to come alongside. Usually ships are turned to starboard and back in. However with two tugs alongside, and a bit less wind than earlier, it was the best move to make.

It was not all commercial activity in the port today. Late season sail races for small craft took place in very stiff breezes this morning.

Although there have been above normal temperatures recently, this morning's air temperatures were in the single digits, and barely scraped above 10C when the races started. Water temperature on the other hand exceeded 15C!

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A lightly loaded Vera D arrived for Melfli Lines and tied up at Halterm this afternoon. The ship is en route from Italy, Spain and Portugal for Cuba. This is its 15th trip for Melfi - Voyage #1 was November 24, 2014.

The 17,188 grt, 22, 513 dwt ship can carry 1519 TEU. It was built in 2004 on a hull by Daewoo Managalia, Romania, and completed by J.J.Seitas in Germany.  Launched as Pyxis it was renamed Maersk Veracruz on delivery to Peter Doehle Schiffahrts of Hamburg. It became Vera D in 2009.

Federal Oshima completed loading its cargo of wood pellets and sailed for Immingham, UK this evening.

Surely there is a way that such cargoes can be loaded without creating so much dust.

CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell left port for SAR exercises offshore. The Newfoundland based Search and Rescue vessel has been seconded to Halifax for the last several weeks.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell sails with the old Coast Guard base in the background where the idled Jones Tide is tied up.

 Built in 1985 by Marystown Shipyard, it was originally a supply boat, ordered on spec by the Newfoundland government to keep the shipyard afloat. In 1986 the government of Canada acquired it and converted the ship for SAR duties.

The new SAR ships will have helicopter capability. A CCG helo laded service techs on George's Island this morning. 

 

A replacement for the ship is among five SAR vessels to be built by Seaspan under the  National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, but it it is several years off into the future, after Seaspan builds the Joint Support Ships for the navy, the Polar Icebreaker John G. Diefenbaker (to be renamed by the current government one expects-can you guess the new name?) and Ocean Research vessels.

Speaking of replacements there is still no word on how the navy plans to replace its Glen class tugs. Glenevis was going about its business in the harbour today, still in fine condition, but underpowered by today's standards.

 The new tugs will not be part of the NSPS program, and several Canadian yards have expressed interest in building the new boats.

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Long Weekend Roundup

Thanks to an interruption of internet service from March 23 to 28, I was unable to post my usual weekend round up until now. Here are the highlights on a better late than never basis:

The Atlantic RoRo Carriers ship Warnow Star made its first Halifax call on Good Friday March 25, no doubt discharging Its usual cargo of  depleted radioactive material. ARRCC ships usually make only a brief call of a few hours, but this time it remained over night and sailed on Saturday.

After leaving Fairview Cove Warnow Star lines up for the MacKay bridge on a windy morning.

The ship was built in 2010 by Zhejiang Ouhu Shipbuilding Co in Zhoushan, China and carries four 60 tonne cranes. It measures 22,863 grt, 33,150 dwt. It is a sister of Warnow Sun that was in port February 28-29, but for some reason is not listed on the Atlantic RoRo Carriers web site, nor does it appear to be owned by ARRC of Hoboken, NJ, but by Atlantic Ship Manangerment of Odessa, Ukraine.
As I mentioned before the Warnow name comes from Warnowerft yard in Warnemunde were ARCC's Astrakhan class RoRos were built.[see below for more Warnow.]


A rare visit of a bulk carrier took place on Saturday March 26. JS Missouri was on its way to Baie-Comeau and stopped in for bunkers.  The ship will be loading grain in Baie-Comeau and the crew was busy cleaning and airing the holds, so the ship arrived looking a bit like an accordion as the hatch covers were cracked open.

JS Missouri strides in to port with anchor ready to let go, and hatches ajar.

The 35,812 grt, 63,500 dwt bulker came from the Yangzhou Dayang shipyard in Yangzhou, China in 2013. It flies the Singapore flag for Greenship Bulk Manager Pte Ltd of the same port. Sister ship JS Sanaga called in Sheet Harbour March 15.


Also a rare sight these days is an Indian flagged ship. The tanker Swarna Mala is a typical handysize product tanker built by STX in Jinhae, South Korea. It was laid down for Greek owners as Zefiros,  but SCI purchased it "on the stocks" and it was launched and delivered as Swarna Mala.

The ship's typical handysize measurements are 29,993 grt, 51,196 dwt.

It has been a long time since the bicycle wheel funnel mark has been seen in this port.


The Shipping Corporation of India was once a frequent caller in the general cargo ship days, and operated its own cargo liner route under the Scindia label. The ships all had names begining with "Jala".
 

Jalamani was built in 1970 by VEB Warnowerft in Warnemunde, East Germany It carried one 60 ton jumbo derrick and sixteen 10 ton derricks on bi-pod masts. It measured  9556 grt, 13814 dwt and was broken up in Calcutta in October 1986. It is shown at what is now navy pier Bravo, but was then a National Harbours Board pier in the spring of 1971.


Back from mid-life refit at the Davie Quebec yard, CCGS Earl Grey was tied up at BIO on Easter Sunday.

Earl Grey joins Louis St-Laurent at BIO, filling up available pier space.

 

The Canadian Coast Guard is planning a major Search and Rescue exercise off Nova Scotia this week and CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell came in from Newfoundland to participate. There was no room at BIO so it tied up at pier 9A.

 Sir Wilfred Grenfell at pier 9A this afternoon.

The Newfoundland based Teleost was also in Halifax recently as was the Cape Roger.

Teleost sailed on Friday March 25.

Arriving Easter Sunday morning, Wilhelmsen's Talia proceeded directly to Autoport. However Autoport is so full of new cars that unloading took much longer than normal as each car had to be driven a much greater distance to a remote storage facility. Demand for cars is so high in Canada (with low interest rates and lengthy payment periods) that it is hard to keep up with demand.

CN which owns and operates Autoport and also provides the rail service to move the cars inland has had some weather challenges this winter, but it is more  the shear volume of imports that is stretching their ability to move the cars out.

Talia dates from 2006 when it was built by Gdynia Shipyard in Poland. Its capacity is listed as 6,658 cars in Lloyd's but 6500 on Wilhelmsen's site. Its gross tonnage is 57,692 and deadweight tonnage is 21,021.

Talia was finally able to sail Tuesday afternoon March 29 - surely a lengthy stay! It will be followed almost immediately by Manon with more of the same.

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Coast Guard layups

The Canadian Coast Guard has placed at least three ships in layup this year. In two cases, these appear to be permanent, with disposal the end result.
In St.John's CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell has "gone to the wall" and has been de-stored.

1. Sir Wilfred Grenfell in Halifax in 2004.

Built in 1985 in Marystown, NL, the ship started life as an offshore supplier built on spec and financed by the Province of Newfoundland (as it was then) to support the shipyard. In 1986 the Department of Transport (then responsible for the CCG)  purchased the ship for $21 mn. It was then converted for offshore search and rescue. The work included upgrading to Ice Class I, firefighting, rescue and additional accommodation including a ten bed hospital and a helo pad, plus the required CCG communications equipment. The work necessitated adding a deck by raising the wheelhouse and extending the funnels, and cost another small fortune=$5mn.  It was christened in November 1987, and registered February 8, 1988.

Despite this huge investment the ship has only had an actual service life of 25 years - certainly not long for a CCG ship. However with most ships multi-tasked now, dedicated search and rescue craft are expected to become further endangered.

Meanwhile on the St.Lawrence River the classic buoy tender Tracy has been laid up since April in Prescott, ON. Built as far back as 1968 by Port Weller Dry Docks it was extensively rebuilt as recently as 2010.

2. CCGS Tracy during a rare salt-water visit, following refit at Pictou in 1989. (In the background Richmond Odyssey under construction and Northern Ranger in reift.)

The ship was based in the St.Lawrence region, much of the time in fresh water, where thirty-five years is not a lengthy service record.

The third ship is of course CCGS Matthew, based at the Bedford Institute in Halifax. A dedicated hydrographic ship, it did not see service this summer. Built in 1990 it is nowhere near worn out, so its layup may be temporary. Surely charter work or other activities could have been found for this valuable asset.

 3. Matthew still in layup at the Bedford Institute. The large davits carry survey launches when the ship is in service.

Although the CCG has announced new ships they are still many years off in the future, so one has to wonder how the the service will be able to carry out its mandate if the number of ships continues to decline.

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