Busy Day

 It was a busy day in the Port of Halifax today, September 10, with activity at almost every facility - and with multiple moves at some of them. Shipfax is still only able to be in one place at a time, so this report must be less than exhaustive.

Autoport had an early arrival, the Morning Cello -(I believe a first time caller).  Built in 2007 by Hyundai Samho it is a 57,542 gt, 21,055 dwt ship with a capacity of 6500 CEU. Arriving from Bremerhaven, Goteborg, Zeebrugge and Southampton it is heading for New York.

 

There was activity at the two oil terminals, with a ship alongside and another waiting at both.

At Irving Oil it was the colourful Gulf Muttrah which arrived from Amsterdam unloading refined product on September 8.

 

A 29,535 gt, 46,556 dwt ship, it was built at Hyundai Mipo, Ulsan in 2009.

Yesterday's arrival, the Canadian flagged Algoma East Coast is at anchor in the lower harbour awaiting its turn at the berth.

 

At Imperial Oil, the Ocean Nisa completed offloading product from Antwerp. It arrived September 7 and this afternoon, September 10, moved to Pier 9B to refuel from trucks.  It was escorted to Bedford Basin and turned to come back into the Narrows and tied up starboard side to the pier.

 

 

Big tankers are rare sights in Bedford Basin, but this move may be because there were no berths available in the Ocean Terminals, in the south end of the harbour. Refueling would usually happen at Pier 27, but the Nirint ship Gotland was unloading its regular cargo of nickel sulfides from Cuba at that berth.

Awaiting its turn at Imperial Oil, the coastal tanker Algoscotia took up a position in anchorage number 2. It moved to Imperial's dock #3 soon after Ocean Nisa moved off.

 

Number 2 anchorage is to the north of Macnab's Island, between Ives Knoll and Indian Point, and is rarely used except for ships waiting for Imperial Oil and then only for short term since it may obstruct the entrance to EasternPassage for large ships. 

Inbound for Fairview Cove was a first time caller for ZIM's ZCA (Mediterranean - North America) service. Carmel I is quite apparently a charter from the large Greek owner Navios.

 Built in 2010 by Hyunda HIC-Phil in Subic, Philippines,  it is a 40,741 gt, 52,382 dwt vessel with a capacity of 4330 TEU. It was built as Bermuda but was renamed APL Bahrain on delivery and in 2014 became Bermuda again then ZIM Carmel in 2022 and Carmel I in 2023.

Tugs Atlantic Willow at the bow and Altantic Cedar tethered astern shepherded the ship through the Narrows. And while the Ocean Nisa was turning well to the north, the Cedar provided braking and assisted the turn toward PSA Fairview Cove.
 

 The cruise ships Liberty of  the Seas and Seabourn Sojourn added to the mix, 

 

( I missed the Island Princess).

The Canadian Coast Guard lifeboat Hare Bay made its way into port from its station in Sambro, then met a little slop on the way out. 

CCGS Earl Grey also sailed toward the south shore for navaids work.

 
 Also in port was the Lars D at Pier 42 for Melfi:

 

... and sailing from the C.O.V.E for sea trials was the Singapore flag multi-purpose offshore support vessel  Armada 78 02. It returned later in the day.

 

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Bluenose II - arrival armada

 This year marks the 100th anniversary of the launch of the original schooner Bluenose. To commemorate the event the controversial, and much rebuilt (but still beloved) replica Bluenose II will be touring Atlantic Canada. It will not be spending much time in Halifax, with today's visit to an anchorage off Bedford as its only Halifax call. Due to COVID restrictions imposed earlier in the year all sail tours were cancelled, although there will be "open deck" at some port calls. See the 2021 schedule here

The Bluenose II's arrival in Halifax today was a foggy drizzly affair, but there were some spectators on the waterfront. The more interesting aspect, at least to me, was the flotilla of harbour craft on hand to greet the schooner.

Scotia Pilot, inbound from an assignment joined the party.

HMCS Oriole went out earlier in the morning to greet the arrival.

YDT 325 Defender is a Canadian navy "Cutter, Area Command" a 32 footer built by ABCO as a patrol and workboat, and works under the Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic.

The harbour tug Atlantic Oak also went out to great Bluenose II and accompany it inbound.

Dominion Enforcer is one of the two new tugs built in the Netherlands for Dominion Diving Ltd.

Sister tug Dominion Rumbler  also joined the party.

Ocean Seeker owned by Kraken Robotics, and based at the C.O.V.E. in Dartmouth has been conducting seabed mapping in the area in recent weeks. It is the former RCMP Murray.

Alutasi is Canada's first hybrid diesel / battery - electric powered 12 plus passenger boat. The former Peggy's Cove Express has been retrofitted with lithium-ion batteries and now carries out some of its fishing tours using slow speed (and quiet) electric power.

Carrying the identifier 1C-2870 this RHIB is operates as a private patrol boat by Sma'knis Maritime Safety + Security Inc, based at the C.O.V.E. in Dartmouth.

Local  builders Rosborough Boats turns out a wide variety of craft (such as the RHIB in previous photo). This twin hull centre console is a new type to me. Outboard motors, as they increase in power for small size,  are becoming more popular as a means of propulsion where inboard used to be the norm.

The Coast Guard lifeboat Hare Bay was part of the flotilla. Delivered by Chantier Naval Forillon in Gaspe in May, the boat is temporarily assigned to Sambro while the local boat is in refit. Hare Bay will be assigned to Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador.

CCGS Ann Harvey returning from SAR East patrol brought an end to the escorts. On loan from the Newfoundland region while Halifax based boats are in refit or are reassigned, it has now been joined by the George R. Pearkes also from Newfoundland.

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