Pyxis Theta - clear view

 Yesterday's foggy view of the tanker Pyxis Vega was a bit of a disappointment, but today's (June 26) sighting more than made up for it.The ship arrived on June 24 from Antwerp for Imperial Oil. When it finished unloading it moved at noon time today to Pier 9C.

It is not unusual for tankers to move to commercial piers as the Imperial Oil jetties are not accessible by vehicles, and thus not suitable for many kinds of repairs. Hot work may also be prohibited. Pier 9C is fully accessible from shore and cranes and other vehicles can drive right up to the ship.

What was a little unusual about today's move was that the tugs Atlantic Larch and Atlantic Beaver turned the ship in the Narrows off Tuft's Cove / Pier 9A to back in to Pier 9B . Most large ships, such as autocarriers go through to Bedford Basin, where there is lots of room to turn, then come back to Pier 9C.

Another oddity was the sort of two tone paint on the ship's hull. Although it is rare these days for ships' crews to paint the hull, that has apparently occurred, as the paint on the foreward part of the ship is roller applied, - and not too neatly. The remainder looks more like a shipyard spray paint job, but of older vintage.

What is puzzling is that the anti-fouling paint also appears to be of two different generations. Normally that kind of paint is only applied during drydocking as this may have been, since it extends below the waterline, but why it should have been interrupted aft of  midships would likely make an interesting story.

As reported yesterday the Pyxis Theta is a 30,159gt, 51,462 dwt LR tanker built by SPP Shipbuilding Co in Tongyeong, South Korea, in 2013.

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The Mists of Time

 A clear view from the Halifax waterfront was obstructed from time to time as fog drifted in and out during the day today, June 25.

Interestingly the fog formed a backdrop to the shore at Imperial Oil giving a somewhat clearer view of the tanker Pyxis Theta unloading at Imperial Oil dock number 3.

 With the George's Island lsnding stage standing out in the foreground and Imperial Oil's disused crude oil dock number 5 silhouetted at the left, the fog blotted out the background and much of the ship's hull.

The Pyxis Theta is a 30,159gt, 51,462 dwt LR tanker built by SPP Shipbuilding Co in Tongyeong in 2013. It arrived from Antwerp yesterday, June 24.

There was a somewhat clearer view of Irving Oil's Woodside dock, and the tanker East Coast which arrived from Saint John this morning, June 25.

Hyundai Mipo, Ulsan delivered the ship in 2005 as Nor'Easter. As such it operated under Marshall Islands flag delivering Irving Oil products to US ports. In 2014 it was brought under Canadian flag and renamed. It is a 23,552 gt, 37,515 dwt ship and operates from Saint John to supply eastern Canada ports such as Charlottetown and St.John's. However it has also been to Portland, ME twice this month. 

(The Imperial  Oil tank in the photo is on the adjacent property. Irving Oil's tanks are farther inshore to the left.)

Also sailing off into the fog banks was the cable ship Ile de Molène - see yesterday's post. Even though there were periodic tendrils of fog, sometimes concealing the ship's waterline, it was possible to see the deckhouse that was installed when it was converted for cable laying and repair.

 

As usual when cable ships sail they have undisclosed destinations or vague descriptions such as this one did: "North Atlantic Ocean". It is headed southwesterly on AIS.

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