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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 2, 2015 19:18:41 GMT -8
Fuel barges arriving at Newcastle Channel in Nanaimo. - Island Tug & Barge does this regular service Seen on Dec.23, 2011 from atop Sugarloaf Mountain.  ...and here's the same type of combo, at the entrance to Departure Bay. - the small stern assist tug has just arrived from its Nanaimo base, and is ready to assist on the bay entrance and docking. 7:32am on January 1, 2015  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 30, 2015 20:37:58 GMT -8
A couple of ship-moving tugs helping log freighter "Island Spirit" turn around to leave Nanaimo harbour. - see on afternoon of January 30, 2015. Nice motion turning the ship.   |
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 27, 2015 19:35:53 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 30, 2015 16:00:11 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on May 4, 2015 16:41:59 GMT -8
Another 'working boats' post, this one with two shots of the Stormaway V & its barge, seen near the Westview ferry terminal at Powell River, BC, on 16 March 2015. My wife & I were waiting for the arrival of the Queen of Burnaby, which was going to take us across to Comox and a short visit on Vancouver Island. Stormaway V is a bit unusual for a tug boat in that it appears as a 'hybrid' cross between a tug & a crew boat. 
Both photos ©WCK-JST by Wett Coast, on Flickr
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Post by WettCoast on May 9, 2015 10:44:43 GMT -8
It used to be that Alcan (now Rio Tinto Alcan or just 'RTA'; my former employer prior to my 2011 retirement) ran their own boats connecting Kitimat with Kemano, the site of RTA's big hydro-electiric power house. In the past there was a small village in Kemano with about 250 residents and a need for a fair bit of water transport for passengers & the stuff they need. Since the 1950's passengers often were flown back & fourth, by sea plane in the early days, and almost exclusively by helicopters since the 1970's. There was also over the years a number of passenger vessels that ferried people and some goods back & fourth, with up to three round trips per week (if I recall correctly). There was, and continues to be, a contracted barge service that moves vehicles & heavy/bulky goods back & fourth. About 10 years ago Alcan opted to cut expenses by turning the Kemano operation into a 'camp', thus closing down the town site. Today, crews are on one week 12 hour shift rotations. Every Tuesday a fresh crew replaces the one that has been on duty for the past week. In a further move aimed at reducing expenses the company opted to stop operating their own boats, going instead, with a contracted service. Today a crew boat named the Georgia Master makes the once per week run in & out of Kemano. The service is provided by Prince Rupert Adventure Tours. On Tuesday, April 28th, I got several photos of the Georgia Master while I was waiting for the RTA floatel, Silja Festival (aka Delta Spirit Lodge) to depart. Here they are...  Georgia Master - contracted Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) crew boat coming into Kitimat from Kemano with crew going off duty - 28 April 2015
 Georgia Master - contracted RT-Alcan crew boat - starting crossing from RTA 'Nechako' dock over to MK Bay Marina on the opposite side of Kitimat Harbour
 Georgia Master - RT-Alcan crew boat (contracted) - seen off Kitamaat Village in mid crossing from RTA 'Nechako' dock over to MK Bay Marina on opposite side of Kitimat Harbour
All photos © WCK-JST by Jim, on Flickr
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 16, 2015 22:08:30 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 17, 2015 6:29:02 GMT -8
Nice shot of the 'Smit Mississippi' doing her duty. Couldn't help but notice several interesting 'oddities' with regards to the big box boat. Anyone have some ideas? 
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 7, 2015 21:07:23 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 8, 2015 20:25:48 GMT -8
Smit Mississippi in Prince Rupert harbour while assisting the container ship Hanjin Copenhagen into the container terminal @ Fairview - 30 June 2015. You can make out the cable running from this tug to the stern of the big box boat. Why they were doing that I don't know. Anyone? I was aboard the Northern Adventure which was overtaking both tug & ship in a race to the narrows at the harbour entrance. I am sure our arrival in Rupert would have been delayed by 30 minutes had we been stuck behind. That blue cable looks like the cable that the BS Con will pull on.  © WCK-JST by JST, on Flickr
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 3, 2015 15:44:35 GMT -8
Action in Nanaimo's Departure Bay that does not involve BC Ferries ... but rather, Island Tug & Barge; specifically the big tug Island Scout, & the big fuel barge ITB Resolution, and the little assisting work boat Hilda McKenzie ... The location for these photos is between the BCF Terminal and Newcastle Island. 
Both photos © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 3, 2015 15:51:44 GMT -8
Action in Nanaimo's Departure Bay that does not involve BC Ferries ... but rather, Island Tug & Barge; specifically the big tug Island Scout, & the big fuel barge ITB Resolution, and the little assisting work boat Hilda McKenzie ... That's how we get our gasoline, where I live. (well, first it gets trucked to a gas bar....) Thanks for posting those pics. The fuel barge is relatively unkown (to general public) but oh so very important. |
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 3, 2015 16:10:12 GMT -8
That's how we get our gasoline, where I live. (well, first it gets trucked to a gas bar....) Thanks for posting those pics. The fuel barge is relatively unkown (to general public) but oh so very important. No, not crude, or dilbit, but if spilled in the sea, would create quite the mess. I am certain that various forms of diesel are shipped in this way to Vancouver Island. I am also fairly sure that these fuel barge shipments into Departure Bay are one of many such movements along the BC coast. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 6, 2016 9:32:03 GMT -8
Sointula has a successful boat restoration project to be proud of. The STURGEON I, a 1948 Sointula built gillnetter, is now land-moored. She's across the road from the small craft harbour, at the side of a farm field, in easy view of the mariners at the harbour. I saw her on Saturday night, and here are some photos:  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr ========================== Here's some background on the boat and the now-completed restoration project: HERE |
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 9, 2016 22:30:14 GMT -8
While returning north by ferry last Sunday (January 3rd) I had a good look at another of those US (Alaska) tug & barge combos, this one heading south in Grenville Channel. This one was not towing the usual green barges of Alaska Marine Lines, but was from the competition, I think. The typical collection of containers, boats, trucks, industrial equipment, etc. The tug is the Gulf Cajun & the barge has the moniker 'Brusco 402' Here are a few pics ... 
All photos © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr |
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 18, 2016 21:59:16 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,307
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Post by Neil on Feb 28, 2016 13:14:32 GMT -8
One of the coast's larger landing craft, Korol Marine Services' Forest Transporter. 81'x27', built in 1974, seen at Campbell River yesterday.
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Post by northwesterner on Feb 28, 2016 15:59:11 GMT -8
I spotted the Lorna Foss and the Petrel in Deep Bay, Vancouver Island. Lots of information about Lorna Foss, but I can't find any history for information for the Petrel. Lorna Foss was owned for many years by a Seattle resident and moored along the ship canal. A little quick googling indicates she was sold a few years ago, and based on this picture, is now based in British Columbia. Keeping up an old wood tugboat is a lot of work. Let's hope the new owners are committed to keep her in good shape for the long haul. There are only a handful of people on that know how to work on an Atlas diesel... her former owner is one. |
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Post by northwesterner on Feb 28, 2016 16:52:13 GMT -8
The Lorna Foss (along with other tugs) has been languishing in Deep Bay for a number of years... A quick google indicates she was for sale on Lake Union / the ship canal as late as 2013. Only been up in BC for a few years. |
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Post by westernflyer on Feb 29, 2016 0:31:03 GMT -8
The Lorna Foss (along with other tugs) has been languishing in Deep Bay for a number of years... The Lorna Foss actually arrived in Deep Bay fairly recently. She spent some time at anchor up near Union Bay previously. I was dismayed to see her join that cluster of old boats. |
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Post by westernflyer on Feb 29, 2016 0:47:13 GMT -8
 Another of the nameless derelict vessels that are languishing in Deep Bay, near the Vancouver Island University Deep Bay Marine Field Station. That's the Laurier. Built in 1936, she had an interesting career. She was originally built in Quebec for the RCMP but saw duty with the navy in WWII as HMCS Laurier. Later in her career she became a fisheries patrol vessel. Lately she has been taking on water and is down by the bow. |
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Post by westernflyer on Mar 2, 2016 12:19:24 GMT -8
 Laurier anchored in Deep Bay, BC. |
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 5, 2016 19:57:31 GMT -8
Smit Marine Canada's tug base in Kitimat, BC, with Smit Cecil alongside and Smit Norman tucked in behind - 4 March 2016.  © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr |
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Post by westernflyer on Apr 3, 2016 21:22:06 GMT -8
The Lorna Foss has sunk in Deep Bay. Apparently she was being stripped of her fittings while tied up with the 'cluster' of neglected vessels that is moored there. It's been reported that she dragged a small sailboat down with her and nearly capsized the 100' tug Silver King, the largest vessel in the group. No word yet on the cause of the sinking.
It's a disappointing end for a historic working vessel.
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Post by westernflyer on Apr 9, 2016 13:08:24 GMT -8
The sinking of the Lorna Foss has raised the profile of the problem of derelict vessels in Deep Bay. One vessel in particular, the ex-tug Silver King, is of great concern because of the potential for damage to the local ecosystem if it were to sink. The Coast Guard has been on scene pumping out the Silver King and now the federal government has stepped up to the plate. Fisheries and Oceans Minister Hunter Tootoo has stated "I appreciate the diligent work of those involved in this operation and hope that the community of Deep Bay and surrounding area is assured that we take ship borne threats to the environment very seriously and we act immediately in the event of a pollution threat.” Full article In the PQB News |
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