Clik here to view.
Updates
A few posts recently have left readers dangling, so here are some updates:Jim Kilabuk sailed from Halifax April 30. Before leaving however, it went to the Shearwater military pier and loaded some deck...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Towing ex navy ships - sequel
Former Canadian warships based in Halifax when decommissioned were either sold for scrap to India, the USA or reefed in Canadian waters, with one exception.That exception was HMCS Provider, Canada's...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Svitzer lands a big one
Svitzer Canada has landed a big contract requiring two tugs for work in the far north.Baffinland Iron Mines, developers of an ambitious project on Baffin Island, (72 degrees north latitude, 79 degrees...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gulf Spray - somebody has to do it
The tug Gulf Spray earns its keep towing a scow with garbage from cruise ships. It may not be glamorous work, but the process is well organized, with a lot of separation on board the ship itself.Once...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ryan Leet - off to the oil fields
After a week of fitting out for a new task the Ryan Leet sailed this morning from pier 9. After a stop in St.John's, the tug will survey the route for a new fibreoptic cable to run to the Hibernia...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Svitzer Nerthus and Svitzer Njal arrive
Two tugs that Svitzer Canada will use in its Baffinland contract arrived in Halifax together this morning.As previously reported: http://tugfaxblogspotcom.blogspot.ca/2015/05/svitzer-lands-big-one.html...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Granville - multi-tasking
Following the retirement of the Canadian navy's Halifax fireboat Firebird, it is now the job of the HMC Dockyard tugs to perform security patrols to the Defence Research and Development Agency barge in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Océan Taiga takes shape
Groupe Océan's latest tug, Océan Taiga is taking shape at the Industrie Océan shipyard in Ile-aux-Coudres, QC.The second in a pair of Robert Allen design ice class 1A Super FS escort tugs is expected...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Small tugs from Quebec
On my recent trip to Quebec I was able to see a large number of small tugs. Three different companies were involved in the tugs I saw, including Groupe Océan:Océan Uannaq is one of a pair that were...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Much travelled tug heads for the Lakes
Passing Halifax today en route to a new home on the Great Lakes, the tug Susan McAllister would have many stories to tell if it could talk.Built in 1965 by the Equitable Equipment Co it was orginally...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Fueled and ready
The tugs Svitzer Nerthus and Svitzer Njal took fuel in turns today. Both tugs moved from the Svitzer wharf to Pier 9C, where the fuele was delivered by RST tanker trucks.Both tugs are now sporting...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Showing Off
Atlantic Towing Ltd's three Halifax based harbour tugs usually go about their business without much fanfare or notice Occasionally they do get to show off.Atlantic Larch looks very business like as it...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Off to the north
Svitzer Nerthus and Svitzer Njal sailed early this morning for Milne Inlet, Baffin Island to take up their new duties, ship berthing at the Baffinland Iron Mine project. (Photo taken 2015-06-04, when...
View ArticleClik here to view.
End of the Line for May C
It is not often that I report on a tug being scrapped, but such is the unfortunate news regarding the small tug May C owned by Aecon Atlantic Industrial Inc, (previously known as Aecon Fabco) operators...
View ArticleClik here to view.
That sinking feeling
A rash of tug sinkings in the past year has left the Canadian taxpayer on the hook for big bucks.In July 2014 the former RCN tug St.Charles, later Chebucto Sea, but since 2012 carrying the unlikely...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Return (with some corrections)
In a somewhat surprising return to Halifax, the tug Océan Arctique, which has had its own strange career, is due July 28 towing two barges.Originally the second of a two tug order from Nordane...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Océan Arctique returns
After successfully handing off its tows (see Shipfax) the tug Océan Arctique passed Halifax Shipyard where it was completed and transited the Narrows to pier 9C to spend the night and take on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Winding Down
Winding down? Over the next few days I will be preparing to take off on my yearly break from computers, e-mails and thus my postings to Tugfax. I expect to back at the keyboard in September.Q: Is this...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Brace of Suppliers
After last year's major seismic exploration venture in the Shelburne Basin off Nova Scotia, Shell Oil received enough favourable information to begin drilling with the drill ship Stena Icemax..Canadian...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Boa and Boa
The tug Boa Odin arrived this morning towing the Boa Barge 33. The big Norwegian tug towed the barge from Stavanger in 22 days, averaging 6.2 knots.The tug was built by Astilleros Zamakona Pasaia in...
View Article