Icy names, icy games Tundra, Louis, Edward and Laura 1

In very un-arctic weather the bulker Tundra made a brief call in Halifax to unload steel coils. I believe these are stainless steel tire cores for Michelin. It has been some time since we have seen this cargo unloaded from a bulker, I suspect they have been arriving from Brazil by container recently.

As a member of the Canfornav charter fleet, the ship is named for a species of ducks, found commonly in the north. Temperatures near the teens yesterday resulted in dense fog. This morning however the temperature had dropped to a more seasonable zero (C) and the air cleared when the ship sailed for Altamira, Mexico.

Built in 1909 by Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Industry in Qinhuangdao, China, the ship is registered in Cyprus and measures 19,814 grt and 30,803 dwt. As with most Canfornav ships it is a sometime caller in the Great Lakes, but was not there in 2013.

CCGS Louis S. St-Laurtent FINALLY got underway this morning for the Gulf of St. Lawrence to start its winter icebreaking season. The ship had been in refit at its Newfoundland base, but came to Halifax January 11 to fuel and complete some other work.

 The navy tug Glenevis assisted the ship off its old berth at the old Coast Guard base. Once it was clear of the dock it was able to use its thruster to complete the turn. A seal took an interest in the departure (it is visible just below the ship's funnel).

 Always an impressive sight, the Louis slowly heads for sea.

Having already been pressed into icebreaking service to cover for the Louis in western Newfoundland, the light icebreaker Edward Cornwallis has returned to its normal duties and arrived soon after Louis' departure with a load of buoys from Cape Breton for storage and maintenance at the old Coast Guard base.

After landing the navigation markers in Dartmouth Edward Cornwallis headed back to Cape Breton for more.

A ship that made it through the ice, but was damaged when it brushed the icebreaker CCGS Henry Larsen in the lower St.Lawrence finally sailed this evening after repairs. (see January 10). A week seems to be a long time for repairs to damage that did not effect the ship's seaworthiness, but who am I to doubt the sincerity of the CCG's press release. 

 Damage to the ship's starboard bow was never visible from the Halifax side of the harbour, but it was apparently well forward since repairs took place in number on hold.

All week a lot of banging and crashing could be heard though the open hatch cover. The ship sailed this evening for the balmier climes of Savannah, GA.

.

Laura I arrives for repairs

The Liberian flag bulk carrier Laura I arrived late this afternoon for repairs after a collision with CCGS Henry Larsen in the vicinity of Matane QC.

1. Tugs turn Laura I to back it in to pier 25-26.

Bound from Quebec to Savannah GA in ballast, there is no apparent damage on the port side of the ship - the starboard side was not visible - but the ship appears to me to be higher out of the water than it normally would be when in ballast, making me think that it has been pumped up a bit due to hull damage somewhere near the water line.

2. The ship's rudder is barely under water.

A photo on Shipspotting.com when the ship was fresh out of drydock at Klaipedia, Lithuania last April shows the ship's distinctive flared vanes around the propeller:  http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1784602

Divers were waiting for the ship when it tied up, so at least some of the problem is under water.

This is the second ship of the same company to arrive in Halifdax with prpoblems in the last month. Fleetmate Cornelia was in Halifax from December 22 to 30 for repairs after hitting a wall in the Soo locks.

Owners for both are listed as Mineralien Shiff. Spedition + Transport of Schnaittenbach, Germany (an inland city).

Laura I  was built in 1995 by Shinkurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding of Japan as Lucky Grace. In 1997 it was renamed Laura and in 2010 Laurua I. It is a bulk carrier of 17,040 grt / 26,818 dwt fitted with four 30 tonne cranes and buckets for cargo handling. 

A statement released by the Canadian Coast Guard reads as follows:

" the CCGS Henry Larsen was escorting the M.V. Laura 1 outbound through thick ice in the St. Lawrence River (position 48 54.4’ N 067 45.1’ W).

The Larsen suddenly became beset in heavy pack ice and although the M.V. Laura 1 attempted an emergency stop, the escort distance along with the vessel’s inertia caused the two vessels to strike. 

Both vessels sustained very minor damage that did not affect seaworthiness and both continued their voyage."

.

News Bulletin and Update

I have heard that there has been a collision in the lower St.Lawrence River, between the icebreaker CCGS Henry Larsen and the bulk carrier Laura I. The incident occurred between Méchins and Cap Chat and resulted in damage to the bulker but only minor scratches to the Newfoundland-based icebreaker.

CCGS Henry Larsen seen from the bridge of the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent at the Dartmouth Coast Guard base in 1991.

More details will be posted when they become available.

January 9 Update
Laura I is due in Halifax mid-afternoon January 10 for survey and possible repairs.

.