Lifting On

 The Canadian Coast Guard lifeboat Cadboro Bay took to the air briefly today. A crane lifted the boat aboard the re-purposed offshore supplier Atlantic Condor as the first step in its transfer to the west coast.

After a dry run yesterday, the boat returned to the BIO base, then came back alongside this morning at the IEL dock in Dartmouth where the operation began in earnest.

Cadboro Bay was built by Chantier Forillon in Gaspé and arrived in Halifax for the first time October 12, 2020. It has seen some service as a stand-in for the Sambro lifeboat while it was off for refit.

See http://shipfax.blogspot.com/2020/10/cadboro-bay-first-of-two.html

Sister boat Florencia Bay, which arrived from its builder, Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, ON on October  13, 2020 is also at the Bedford Institute, and will also be loaded aboard for the westbound trip.

See: http://shipfax.blogspot.com/2020/10/florencia-bay-second-of-two.html

The Atlantic Condor was been a familiar sight in Halifax, following its construction by Halifax Shipyard in 2011. It worked a ten year contract supporting Encana's offshore gas activity. When the gas was depleted and the installation decommissioned last year the vessel was laid up Stephenville, NL.

http://tugfaxblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-gig-for-atlantic-condor.html

Atlantic Towing Ltd contracted to transport the two Bay class lifeboats to Victoria, BC before the end of March. The Atlantic Condor just returned to Halifax October February 8 after drydocking in St. John's. It has been fitted with special cradles (not visible) to support the boats for their voyage.

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Cadboro Bay - first of two

 CCGC Cadboro Bay arrived in Halifax today on its delivery trip from the builders.

Crew use the flying bridge as the boat arrives in Halifax after a leisurely 20 knot run down the coast in ideal weather.

One of twenty new Bay class high endurance Search and Rescue lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard, it was built by Chantier Naval Forillon, in Gaspé, QC. As the boat's name implies, it will be based in British Columbia, (Cadboro Bay is in the Victoria area.)

Also en route from builders is Florencia Bay. Built by Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, ON, it is currently off the Gaspé Peninsula and is also destined for British Columbia via Halifax.

The 20 boat order has evolved into one boat per year from each yard. West coast boats are delivered to Halifax in alternate years. They are then loaded aboard heavy lift ships for transport to British Columbia.

The boats of this class measure 19m x 6m, have a crew of four and range of 200 nautical miles at 14 knots. They have a maximum speed of 25 knots and are self-righting.

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