Ale for the Basin, Morning Celine for Pier 9C

 A resident of Pier 9C since January 3, [see January 4 post]  the bulk carrier Ale was obliged to move off the berth today January 18 to make way for another ship. The autocarrier Morning Celine will be moving this afternoon from Autoport to unload machinery at Pier 9C. 

Tugs Atlantic Fir (bow) and Atlantic Beaver (stern) tow the disabled Ale from Pier 9C to anchorage in Bedford Basin.

  The hardluck Ale damaged its hull, rudder and propellor in September when it ran aground in Long Pond, NL. It was towed to Méchins, QC for temporary repairs by the tugs Atlantic Larch and Atlantic Fir. In December it was to be taken in tow by the Italian tug Kamarina and headed for Setubal, Portugal for permanent repairs. [The nature of the damage was beyond the capability of the Verreault shipyard to repair due to other commitments for its drydock, and winter conditions.] 

However when leaving the drydock, the ship made contact with one or two of the shipyard tugs and a tanker that was lying alongside. [It did not run aground contrary to early reports]. Then while in the Gulf of St.Lawrence, one leg of the towing bridle parted and the tug and ship diverted to Halifax to re-establish the connection. 

 

The Ale does not have the use of its own engine or steering, so is required to have a tug alongside at all times when at anchor. The tug Kamarina moved to be alongside the ship for the day.

 The tug Kamarina moved to Bedford Basin anchorage Monday, January 16 (date of photo).

Once the Morning Celine completes its operations late this evening the Ale will be returned to Pier 9C nad Kamarina will move back to another anchorage position in Bedford Basin.

In order to unload at Pier 9C the Morning Celine has to dock "starboard side to" because its stern ramp is fixed for starboard side unloading only (like most autocarriers). Therefore it must go through the Narrows to Bedford Basin, turn, then come back under the MacKay bridge to tie up in the correct orientation at Pier 9C. This is now becoming a fairly common sight as RoRo cargo operations have moved from Pier 30-31 to Pier 9C. It is still impressive however to see autocarriers in the Narrows. (Assist tugs are not visible on the ship's port side.) 

Morning Celine has turned in Bedford Basin and is passing back under the bridge and coming alongside at Pier 9C.

Built in 2009 by Imabari Zosen, Marugame, Japan, it is a 60,931 gt, 22,415 dwt vessel with a capacity of 6458 cars. Although actual ownership is shrouded in Panamanian anonymity, it operates for Eukor / Wilhelmsen, currently on the transatlantic turn for Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean. Previous ports include Southampton December 20-21, Goteborg December 26-27, Zeebrugge January 3-8.

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