Budapest Bridge and scows depart

In what can only be described as heavenly late summer weather, the harbour was chock a block with pleasure craft of all descriptions this afternoon. Ranging from personal watercraft on up, there was plenty of activity in Bedford Basin, the Narrows and the lower harbour. To complicate matters further, there was some sort of regatta or sailing race going on from the Northwest Arm into toward Eastern Passage.

Nevertheless Budapest Bridge was able sail from Fairview Cove to sea without incident. However the ship did have to signal a warning several time with five successive blasts, to clear small craft from its path.

Once the Narrows was clear of commercial traffic Dominion Diving's multi-purpose vessel Dominion Warrior got under way towing a pair of dump scows, assisted as far as Chebucto Head by Halmar.

Fortunately no boaters tried to sail between the tows.

The two dump scows, not positively identified, had only just arrived over night in tow of Mister Joe from Port Hawksbury. Mister Joe returned immediately to sea, headed back to McNally Construction's base in Port Hawksbury. The scows are headed for Pinkney's Point, near Yarmouth.

.

YM Mandate

 The Alliance continues increasing the size of ships on its service, with today's arrival YM Mandate. It is another of Yang Ming's "M" class of 7572 TEU (including 500 reefer) capacity ships.

As the evening light began to fail, YM Mandate was preparing to get underway from Fairview Cove.

Built by Hanjin Heavy Industry and Construction Co Ltd, Busan in 2010, it is a 73,675 gt, 83,200 dwt vessel. 

Its berth would not be vacant long as the 4526 TEU Budapest Bridge was waiting in the Basin to take its place.

.

Hurricane Teddy

 Hurricane Teddy passed over Halifax - its centre a few miles offshore - during the night of September 22-23, and made landfall around Sheet Harbour in the morning of September 23. The strength of the storm was significantly less than last year's Hurricane Dorian, but there were high seas and high winds offshore and a storm surge in places.

There was no commercial shipping in Halifax, harbour ferry service was cancelled and two of the RCN  ships that had sailed for Europe returned to port. HMCS Ville de Quebec and Halifax sailed again early today (Sept 23). Asterix took shelter in Newfoundland.

Two offshore vessels remained at sea but took shelter along the coast, Skandi Neptune in Mahone Bay and Atlantic Kestrel well into St.Margaret's Bay, very close to Hubbards. The latter arrived in Halifax this evening. It will be sailing again later this evening after loading Heerema cargo for Deep Panuke.

I have hear no reports on how the crane vessel Thialf made out offshore - on the windy side of the storm - as work continues on dismantling the Deep Panuke gas field.

All other commercial traffic has been backed off until tomorrow or by-passed. Oceanex and TSMI will no doubt be delayed as they would have to cross the storm track returning from Newfoundland and St-Pierre.

.

Big Sendoff

 The Royal Canadian Navy organized a ceremonial departure this morning as three ships sailed for the Joint Warrior exercises in Europe. The ships went to Bedford Basin first where they formed up in line then made for sea. There was no doubt a formal salute as they passed HMC Dockyard. With helos buzzing about overhead and even an Aurora aircraft from CFB Greenwood flying past, it was a major send off.

HMCS Ville de Quebec was lead ship, followed by HMCS Halifax and the chartered supply ship Asterix.

The ships also passed west of George's Island allowing a close up view for well wishers and families on the Halifax side of the harbour.

It was just a month over thirty years ago when there was another major send off in Halifax. On August 24, 1990 three RCN ships sailed for the Arabian Gulf.  Canada joined a 35 nation coalition in the Gulf War., in retaliation for Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Canada's contribution was called Operation Friction and was part of the US lead Desert Shield/ Desert Storm. In addition to aircraft, Canada sent three ships from Halifax, andHMCS Huron from Esquimalt, all on very short notice.

 

 HMCS Athabaskan

 

HMCS Terra Nova

(with salute from CFAV Firebird)

HMCS Protecteur

It was the first time Canada's military has participated in offensive combat since the Korean conflict, so the sendoff was spectacular, with Sea King helicopters in formation, many spectator craft in the harbour including Bluenose II, and crowds lining the shores.

We should hope that it will not be necessary to go to war again, but is important that the Canadian forces remain prepared. Military exercises are part of that effort, so we wish the participants well and a safe return.

.

Katie Belle underway

 After many months at anchor in Mill Cove, Bedford Basin, the schooner Katie Belle got under way today and made an impressive sight crossing the Basin.

Built over several years in Stewiacke, NS by members of the Cameron extended family it is an impressive vessel, particularly under sail. Completed in 2015 it arrived in Halifax in 2016, but has not been particularly busy since then.

Even more impressively the boat transited the Narrows under full sail - certainly the first time a boat of this size and rig has done so in a long time. Of course a good stiff breeze from the north was a big help. I could see seven people on deck, but they did not have to work too hard to keep the sails in trim.

.

Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin - belts, AOPs-rudders

 The self-unloading bulk carrier Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin made an unusual arrival in Halifax today docking at Pier 9C (in a light rain - hence the fuzzy photo.)

The ship is en route from Sydney, NS where it unloaded a cargo of coal, to National Gypsum's dock in Bedford Basin to load gypsum for the United States.

It is stopping at Pier 9C to load some replacement belting for its self-unloading system. A truck was waiting at dockside and a crane was soon mobilised to load the belts aboard.

The self-unloading system uses the belts to move cargo from the bottom of the hopper shaped holds up to the slewing boom. The rubber belts eventually wear due to abrasion from cargo and from running on the rollers, and require replacement before they break. There is no truck access to the National Gypsum dock and it is necessary to have pier space for the truck and crane.

Rt. Hon Paul E. Martin was built in China in 2012 and measures 43,691 gt, 71,406 dwt and is one of the large Trillium class, some of which are Seaway sized and others, like this one, which is Panamax. Owners CSL Group Inc have the ship in the CSL Americas pool. The ship is named for a former Prime Minister of Canada, who, with his sons, owns CSL.

I suppose it would be too much of a coincidence to be the same one, but a very similar trailer that also had Benson markings was spotted earlier in the day at the nearby Halifax Shipyard.

That trailer was carrying a pair of rudders for an Arctic Offshore Patrol vessel under construction at the shipyard. The truck was owned by Classic Freight Lines, which is owned by Cherubini Metal Workers. It is possible that they  built the rudders at one of their plants in Dartmouth.

.

BBC Edge

 The BBC Edge arrived in Halifax Monday, docked at Pier 9C and sailed this evening. It did not appear to load or unload any cargo. However while in Halifax, the crew repositioned the pontoon type 'tween deck components back in the hold. They were stowed on the number one hatch (a few are still visible below the forward crane boom) and immediately forward of the house in the photo. The pontoons were removed to create a huge open hold to carry wind turbine blades.

The ship was first noted entering the St.Lawrence Seaway September 1 with a cargo of wind turbines, including blades stowed on deck in special cradles. It off-loaded those September 5-6 at Bay City, MI and returned out of the Seaway at Montreal September 10.

The ship was built in 2009 by the Viana do Castelo shipyard in Spain and is a 8750 gt, 10,382 dwt vessel with a pair of 250 tonne capacity cranes that can perform combi lifts of 500 tonnes.  It was built as Castor J. but was renamed Industrial Edge on delivery. It reverted to Castor J. again the same year. In 2013 it became BBC Pilbara but was renamed Castor J. again in 2014 until 2016 when it became Industrial Edge again. Then in 2019 it became BBC Edge.

The ship sailed this evening for Willemstad (and the hurricane region). This may explain why they decided to come into Halifax instead of doing the pontoon repositioning at the next port. With the ship in ballast, rolling and pitching around in high seas, the pontoons could come adrift and cause severe damage. It is safer to have them back in the ship's hold.

A fleet mate, BBC Peru is in Montreal tonight awaiting clearance to enter the Seaway and it also has wind turbines for Bay City, and photos indicate it is configured the same way with 'tween deck pontoons stowed on deck.

.