BACK IN PORT

I've been away for a month and I'm sure I missed a lot. However, I'm back and expect to keep updating regularly.

Jet Express IV

The high speed catamaran Jet Express IV tied up at the helipad pier at Bishop's landing briefly, before resuming her trip from New Jersey to the Great Lakes.

The boat is headed for Lorain,Ohio where she will run a service to Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island.

More trouble for Pearl Mist

After many delays, Pearl Mist conducted sea trials last week, but Pearl Seas cruises refused delivery of the ship citing failure to meet specifications. Irving Shipbuilding, who built the ship in Halifax, state that the ship meets specifications.

Shipowners who may not want to take delivery of a ship, because they have no work for it or no money to pay for it, have been known to claim that it does not meet expectations. However, ships are complicated. Deficiences are certainly not unheard of, and there can be legal issues regarding responsibilities, correction costs, and so on.

We understand that Pearl Seas cruises fully expects to have the ship in operation next year, and is taking bookings.

The ship is still in the hands of Irving Shipbuilding, and has returned from Shelburne to tie up at the Woodside dock until matters are resolved.

Fraser returns

The former HMCS Fraser, last existing vessel of the St-Laurent class of destroyer escorts, returned to Halifax after a dozen years in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. An attempt to restore the ship there could not come up with the money. A public outcry about the ship's appearance finally convinced the navy to buy the ship back for $1.

The naval auxiliary tugs Glenbrook and Glenevis towed the ship out of Bridgewater yesterday and arrived in Halifax at 2200 hrs last night. They tied the ship up at jetty November Lima (identifiable by the large letter "L" on the hammerhead crane.) Also known as the Naval Armaments Depot, the pier has become an elephant's graveyard for old navy ships.

Behind Fraser are Terra Nova and Gatineau (similar vessels from the later Restigouche class.) and three Oberon class submarines, Ojibwa, Okanagan and Olympus.

Fraser DDE 233 was built by Burrard Dry Dock Co of Vancouver and commssioned in 1957, third ship of the class. She was converted to a DDH (helicopter capability) in 1966 and had another major refit called Delex in 1981, before finally paying off in 1994. She went to Bridgewater in 1997. Although little restoration work was done there, she was stored in the fresh water of the La Have River, which probably prolonged her hull life by a few years.

The navy has not said what is next for Fraser - all things are possible, including restoration or sinking as a reef.

Interestingly Terra Nova and Gatineau, which are closer in appearance to their original build, have languished at NAD since 1997 and 1996, with no decision on their futures either. It seems the navy is not in any hurry to decide the fate of these last ships of the steam navy era.

Another big flag July 20

Uruguay's Captain Miranda was also a contender for biggest flag, and was a sure winner for homeliest tall ship.

Big flag July 20

Brazil's Cisne Branco vied for biggest flag.

Sagres July 20

Portuguese Sagres rounds the inner harbour mark to line up for the sail past.