Seismic update

Seismic activity continues apace south of Sable Island, but with some activity in Halifax. Scotian Sea returned this morning from her first supply run to the fleet.

As with the other supplier Mainport Pine, the Secunda boat has large fenders rigged for coming alongside other ships. One of the fenders is rigged to a davit aft of the bridge, where it can be lowered as needed. The fender near the stern appears to be on a painter where it can be floated alongside.

Meanwhile Western Pride returned to the field of action this evening after several days in port. Normally these ships to do not come into port unless they need some form of repair.

Western Pride is one of three gunboats for BP's seismic project. It was also in Halifax last July and August for Shell's seismic exploration project.

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Western Pride - more seismic

Another seismic ship arrived today. Western Pride flies the Panama flag, and is part of the large Western Geco fleet of seismic ships. Built in 1991 by Ulsteinwerft, it betrays its Norwegian roots with the blacked paint around the bridge windows. Applied to cut down glare, it seems most prevalent in Norwegian ships.

Western Geco is owned by Schlumberger, one of the largest oil field companies, and was formed in 200 when Western Geophysical merged with Geco-Prakla. Schlumberger, owners of Geco-Prakla, bought out Baker Hughes' 30% share in 2006.