CNAV Quest - Next one to go

The Canadian naval research vessel CNAV Quest (AGOR 172) is the next ship from the Atlantic force to head to the scrap yard. The tug Lois M ( the same tug that towed out the Preserver in August) arrived at HMC Dockyard this morning, September 12,  and is due to leave tomorrow. The destination is Sydport in Sydney, NS harbour, where Marine Recycling Corp has established a yard to break up ex RCN ships.

There are several references to Quest in this blog over the years, but to summarize, it was built in 1968 by Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, and commissioned in 1969. Nominally a hydrographic research vessel (hence the white hull and buff funnel) it was assigned to the RCN and used by what is now Defence Research and Development Canada on a variety of under water acoustic projects.  A major refit from 1997 to 1999 somewhat marred its looks, particularly on the port side where an open alley was enclosed. Although laid up with stability and deck subdivision issues in 2009 , it was reconditioned for special projects and sent to Europe in 2011 with an unusual paint scheme of navy gray on the starboard side only. It also participated in arctic operations in 2012.

However in 2014 it was "parked" effective March 31 due to lack of funding for the next fiscal year. It has not sailed since. Decommissioning was announced September 2, 2016 and the ship was sold in March of this year.

This leaves the now decommissioned Athabaskan still occupying a berth in the Dockyard. It is still being prepared for the inevitable.

.

Quest shows her new colour scheme

1. CFAV Quest lies alongide navy jetty Lima this morning with her odd gray paint job, and new sponsons aft.

Prior reports about CFAV Quest's new paint were not backed up by pictures, due to the ship's location within HMC Dockyard. In the last day or so Quest has moved to the Dockyard Annex in Dartmouth, also known as the Gun Wharf and Jetty November Lima.

It seems that what was black paint is a very dark grey (or the black has been covered with dark gray.)

Her pennant number 172 has been painted on with black, so it would seem that this scheme may be here to stay for a while. At this point it is only on her port side, and even then not consistently applied. There also seem to be different shades of the gray - near the bow and waterline forward, suggesting that the painters may have been using up some paint from stock. In any event it is much darker than standard RCN gray, but similar to the gray used for yardcraft, such as the tugs.

As explained previously this is part of the Defence Research & Development's research into radiation.

See previous reference here: (be sure to click on "Comments")

http://shipfax.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-is-going-on-with-quest.html

.

What is going on with Quest?

1. On Sunday Quest lies in the Dockyard, with a white funnel and new sponson on the stern. Not visible - the mystery black paint on her port side.

2. Quest prepares for haul out at Aecon-Fabco in Pictou. Unattractive plating on her superstructure was added in the 1997-99 refit.

3. Alongside at Pictou - this side of the ship was not tampered with, and the sponson has not appeared yet.

4. As built, Quest had a variety of square and round deadlights and an open side deck. In this photo her flying bridge has tarps rigged to provide some shelter.

The research vessel CFAV Quest AGOR 172 is attached to the Royal Canadian Navy and carries on research for Defence Research and Development Canada.

There was concern last summer when she had to be tied up for unspecified deficiencies. See:

http://shipfax.blogspot.com/2010/07/cfav-quest.html

However the ship was towed off to Pictou for a major refit, including about a month hauled out on the slip. When she returned to Halifax late in the year she was tied up for a while at Jetty Lima, in Dartmouth. She has now moved to the Dockyard, and here is where the mystery begins.

Soon after arriving in the dockyard, her " funnel" (a large structure combining her crows nest and signal mast, etc.,) which has always been a buff colour, was repainted white. She has also acquired a sponson near the stern on the starboard side.

It now appears that the entire starboard side of the ship has been painted black - the mystery deepens!

The ship was built in 1968 by Burrard Dry Dock in Vancouver, and was commissioned in 1969. It is powered by 4 Fairbanks Morse diesels, driving 2 General Electric propulsion motors, and displaces 2130 tons. The pennant letters AGOR signify an auxiliary vessel (civilian crew) for hydrographic and oceanographic research.

.

CFAV Quest

The Canadian navy's research vessel Quest AGOR 172 is tied up at Jetty November Lima, with a reported malfunction. The ship was supposed to participate in the activities and exercises associated with NATO and the International Fleet Review, but at the last minute something broke down, and she was unable to sail.

Instead she sits forlornly at NL along with the decommissioned Fraser and the remaining Oberon class submarines - not a good sign!

Quest was built way back in 1968 by Burrard DD in Vancouver and commissioned in 1969 for the Defense Research to do hydrographic, oceanographic and acoustical work. She had a major refit in 1997-1999 and another last year. Powered by four Fairbanks Morse diesel engines and two GE electric drives, she is one of the quietest ships afloat.

Interestingly she was the reviewing vessel when the last fleet review was held in Halifax in 1985.

There has been talk of a replacement for several years.