Layla departs

 The coaster Layla [see also September 2 post] sailed this morning, September 6 giving Leixões, Portugal as destination. Because it was very windy, it did use the tug Atlantic Willow to get away from Pier 9C, but the tug was well clear by the time the ship passed Pier 9.

I will repeat the vital statistics of the ship from the previous post:

"The Barkmeijer Shipyards in Stroobos, Netherlands built the ship as long ago as 1975. It was then measured at 945 gt, but has since increased to 1010 gt as the ship was modified as a cable layer for cable work. Its deadweight tonnage remained at 1599 tonnes. Sheaves have been installed at the bow and the ship carries some packaged workshops in containers and other equipment on deck."

"The Layla was originally the general cargo ship Elisabeth Holwerda becoming Elina B. in 1987, the Elina in 1990, Blue Moon in 1997 and Layla in 2004."

As an update and correction of that previous post, operators Mertech Marine are specialists in recovery and recycling of out-of-service submarine telecommunication cables. I first noted the ship off Halifax on August 29 and then at sea in the area before arriving September 2 at Pier 9C. That would put it in the area of the communications networks for now decommissioned oil and gas installations.

As the ship appeared to be down on its marks and well loaded on departure, their mission was likely successful. 

.