Tamesis - two point landing

Wallenius Wilhelmsen's Tamesis sailed today (September 6) after calling at two different berths in Halifax. The ship arrived on Tuesday, September 5 and went first to Pier 9C to off load RoRo cargo.

That cargo included the usual variety of wheeled machinery for construction, agriculture, forestry and mining. It also included some shrink-wrapped boats. In mid-afternoon the ship shifted to Autoport to off load cars.

The Tamesis was built by Daewoo Heavy Industry Co Ltd in Okpo, South Korea in 2000. It is a 67,410 gt, 39,516 dwt vessel with a 380 tonne capacity stern ramp and is rated for 5,496 RT43 size cars.

As a Wilhelmsen ship, its name begins with the letter "T" and is most likely derived from the Roman name for England's Thames River - Tamesis - which in turn is believed to have originated from the Old Celtic word Tamesas (which explains why we still pronunce the "Th" as "T" in Thames) and may mean "dark". [Presumably there are no Old Celts around to translate.] (There is also a place called Tamesis in Colombia, but it is well inland in the Antioquia department and seems an unlikely choice for a sihp's name.)

The ship sailed early this afternoon (Wednesday September 6) for New York, into a very stiff nor'easterly breeze, but warm temperatures in the high 20s C.

The wind was whipping up spindrift creating a haze offshore despite bright sun onshore. The photo was taken from Portuguese Cove.

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Tamesis - chilly arrival

 The RoRo ship Tamesis made it way into Halifax today, January 21, through light sea smoke. As air temperatures plunged well into double digits below zero C and with water temperatures relatively high  at +3 C, conditions were ideal for the formation of the fog commonly called sea smoke. 

 

  The sea smoke did not cause any serious visibility issues today. The tugs Atlantic Cedar and Atlantic Oak were able to take up their positions (forward and aft respectively) to assist the ship to berth at Pier 31 where it will unload RoRo cargo. It will move to Autoport later to unload cars.

The Tamesis dates from 2000 when it was built by Daewoo, Okpo. It is registered at 67,140 gt, 39,516 dwt and is called a Mark IV type ship as opposed to a PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier). With special facilities for oversize and heavy RoRo and breakbulk cargo it can also carry up to 5,496 cars. It has a large 350 tonne stern ramp for the high and wide cargoes.

 The sea smoke diminished as the Tamesis ship neared the inner harbour.

Yesterday's Wallenius Wilhelmsen caller the Boheme was part of the Wallenius fleet and had the Wallenius funnel mark. The Tamesis is a Wilhelmesen ship, but it does not have the Wilhelmsen funnel mark. Instead it  has the greyish colour of the combined fleet. Note also that it carries the green stripe much higher on the hull, with the company banner on the grey portion of the hull.

For comparison the Boheme outbound yesterday, January 20.

 

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