After the Storm

 A major storm swept through Atlantic Canada yesterday (Monday, December 11). It was not a winter storm per se as temperatures rocketed up to 14C (57F). Although there was rain with the storm, washing away the remnants of last week's 10cm (4 inches) of snow, the major impact of the storm was caused by high winds, with gusts in the 98 kph (60 mph) range. Ferry services on the Bay of Fundy, Northumberland Strait and Cabot Strait all saw disruptions with cancellations and schedule changes. There were the usual power outages through the region (including at Ship Central Eastern - precluding a post last evening.)

In Halifax a container from PSA Fairview Cove was blown off its stack into Bedford Basin, but was coralled by the tug Atlantic Oak. The tug stood by the pier - perhaps to keep the container alongside. Another tug, Atlantic Larch stood by the container ship Tropic Hope at pier 42, PSA Atlantic Hub.It was too windy to work the ship, and there was a risk that the ship could part its lines in high winds and swells.

 

Pilotage operations were also suspended until 0900 hours this morning (December 12) when the seas had subsided and it became safe to disembark pilots at the pilot station off Chebucto Head. The Oceanex Sanderling which had been due to sail from Autoport last evening, then sailed this morning, with a Halifax pilot. (At least one of the Oceanex masters has a pilotage waiver for Halifax, and the ship does not usually need to take a pilot.)

As the Oceanex Sanderling sailed in very calm conditions at 1020 hrs this morning and with the pilot boat Capt E.T.Rogers in attendance, the paddleboard commuter was inbound to downtown Halifax.

The container ship ONE Blue Jay had originally been scheduled to arrive today, December 12, but spent yesterday hove to or drifting far off St.Margaret's Bay. It is now scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Although there is no wind to speak of today, the ship will remain at sea, allowing the Tropic Hope to finish working at Pier 42. (The new cranes at PSA Halifax Altantic Gateway are not in service yet, and are still overhanging the berth, so the ship cannot occupy Pier 41, and thus must work from mid-berth Pier 41- 42.

Today, December 12, is therefore one of those rare days when there is no scheduled arrival in the Port of Halifax.

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