The Dickens you say............

Yes it was a busy day in Halifax harbour - here is a roundup:

First off the arrival of Charles Dickens for the G6 Alliance PAX service - the latest in a series of one-off ships, on short term charters to fill in for ships on refit or those that have been replaced on the route.

Charles Dickens is the former Maersk Danbury, just off a long term charter late last year, the ship still carries Maersk's colours, but has had the banner name and funnel mark painted over. Registered in Liberia, and owned by Norddeutsche Reederei Schuldt of Germany, the ship was built in 2005 by Hanjin Heavy Industry and Construction of Busan, South Korea. With tonnages of 54,271 gross, 67,601 dwt, it has a capacity of 4944 TEU.

Frio Kyknos was back in Halifax again, this time for bunkers. The ship was here April 1 to 3 for Asian Gypsy Moth inspection. Since then I assume it unloaded a cargo of fish in Newfoundland.

This time the ship is in light condition, and despite sloppy seas outside, the pilot likely had an easier time disembarking. When it arrived April 1, the pilot boat had to lead the ship in. Due to its low freeboard, its decks were awash and the pilot could not board at the pilot station.
The ship gave its destination as Iceland. Since there is still a great deal of ice off the east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, the ship will be taking a southerly route to meet up with the Gulf stream, but even so coming to Halifax for bunkers took the ship at least a day or two's sailing off its course.

The ferry Halifax III was back in service after a short disruption yesterday due to a minor breakdown.

Fleetmate Woodside I is already out of service for regular maintenance, and Sunday service was replaced by buses the last two weekends due to repairs in the Dartmouth ferry terminal.

Siem Pilot is gearing up for work offshore. As previously reported, the ship is serve as an accommodation vessels for diving off Sable Island. It has now been fitted with equipment from Dominion Diving, and  yesterday took fuel at Imperial Oil. Last night it did calibration work off the Mobil dock (where the water is too shallow for it to tie up).

This evening the ship moved out into Bedford Basin for further trials. Its original coasting license was from March 24 to April 25, on a charter to Secunda LLP..

The Maritime Coastal Defense vessels HMCS Glace Bay and Kingston returned to Halifax after exercises in southern waters. Kingston had a minor fire on Saturday off the Carolinas, but it was extinguished by the crew without injury. It does not seem to have effected the ship's ability  sail home unaided.

First in was Glace Bay looking quite smart with a stiff gale of wind chasing it along in bright sunshine.

An hour later when Kingston came up, the wind had brought in the fog and the start of light drizzle. The air temperature was about 14 degrees C, but the water temperature was still at 2 degrees C - a perfect recipe for fog. The ship showed no outward signs of any fire.

So with all this activity - what did I miss?

The US flag autocarrier Courage arrived from Baltimore and sailed for Antwerp - going in the opposite direction for most car boats.Built as Aida in 2005 by Hitachi Shipbuilding in Maizuru, Japan, the ship has flown the US flag since 2005. It operates for American Roll-On Roll-Off and is managed by Crowley Technical Management Inc.

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Pacific Ocean - not so peaceful and other activities [pictures added]

The world "pacific" meaning peaceful does not apply to the bulk carrier Pacific Ocean which arrived this morning for mandatory Asian Gyspy Moth inspection and for bunkers.
Freezing rain, ice pellets them snow, driven by gale force winds, blotted the ship from photographic view and thus there is no photo to illustrate this post. It is also too rough for the bunkering tanker to come alongside, so its stay in port may be extended.
Shortly after noon, reports reached me that a crew member was seeking asylum in Canada, which certainly creates a tense situation on the ship.
Details may follow.
Built in 1990 by Hyundai, Ulsan, the 24,606 grt / 42,263 dwtr bulk carrier is fitted with four cranes. It started life with the name Simferopol and in 1994 became Nena F. In 2012 this was shortened to Nena and it was most recently renamed in February of this year. Owners are listed as Pacific Ocean Shipping SA of Panama, but associated with Ceren Denizcilik of Turkey.

The Canadian flag Jana Desgagnés arrived this morning an anchored in Bedford Basin to await her turn at Ultramar. She had an icy trip down from Quebec - see Ship Movements from St.Johns for March 29.
http://wwwshipshots.blogspot.ca/2014/03/jana-desgagnes-stuck-outside-corner.html
The ship is built for navigation in ice, but sister ship Dara Desgagnés limped into port March 28, 2013 with ice damage to her rudder:
http://shipfax.blogspot.ca/2013/03/dara-desgagnes-limps-into-port.html

Early this afternoon the Malteseflag refrigerated cargo ship Frio Kyknos arrived, also for Asian Gypsy Moth inspection. Her arrival was not without drama however, for conditions were so bad outside that the pilot could not board the ship safely. Instead the pilot boat lead the ship in, with the pilot radioing courses to the ship to follow. Once inside Just outside Meagher's Beach, in the more sheltered confines of the harboucr, waters the pilot boarded, and the ship was brought to anchor in Bedford Basin the lower harbour.
Built in 1993 by Kitanihon Shipbuilding, Hachinoe, Japan, the ship measures 6,082 grt, 7,197 dwt, and is a typical Japanese type of reefer. It operated as Cape Blossom until 2013 when it received its present name. It is operated by Baltmed Reefer Services of Athens, Greece. These ships carry a variety of cargoes, including fish, fruit and potatoes.

Photos may follow - or not - depending on the weather.

This evening, Pacific Ocean rides light at anchor, with lots of scope on the anchor cable, heading up in to the gale. Her grey painted cranes are barely visible. 

Frio Kyknos rides very low. No wonder the pilot could not board outside - her side decks must have been awash. The trunked hatches and derricks are typical of Japanese reefers. Also her very fine bow, and stern designed for greater speed. Her 9,598 bhp Mitsubishi main engine can drive her at 17.8 knots.