Lebanon Asks Interpol to Arrest Ship Captain, Owner Over Beirut Port Blast
Lebanon has asked Interpol to issue arrest warrants for the Russian captain and owner of the ship that brought the explosive material that detonated at Beirut port in August, killing nearly 200 people, state media reported on Thursday.About two months after the explosion that injured thousands and ravaged the Lebanese capital, questions remain about why and how the cargo was abandoned in Beirut.Authorities have blamed it on the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate, used for fertilizer but also for explosives…
Beirut Port Explosion Echoes the 1917 Halifax Harbor Blast
As the scope of the August 4 explosion at the port of Beirut becomes clear, the tolls of the loss of life, injuries, homelessness and property damage are staggering. In the immediate chaos of large explosions, it can be difficult to make sense of what has happened.There are numerous similarities between the 2020 Beirut port explosion and the 1917 Halifax Harbor Explosion that can help us make sense of what has happened in Beirut.In 2017, I was part of a group of hazards researchers who met in Halifax to reflect on aspects of the Halifax Explosion for its 100th anniversary.
Irving Shipbuilding Invests in Ocean Technology Programs
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. said it has made a multimillion dollar investment to support marine innovation and commercialization in Nova Scotia and across Canada. The shipbuilder is investing $4.52 million in the newly established Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), an ocean innovation centre to be located on the waterfront in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The investment over the next five years represents the largest private sector contribution COVE has received to date. At COVE, ocean science research, start-ups, R&D-intensive companies, industry and Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions will work together to create a cluster of marine innovation and commercialization, and become global leaders.
Lamor Demos New Oil Recovery System
In mid-February, Lamor Corporation demonstrated a new way to recover oil by deploying the Lamor Marine Oil Spill Sweeper LMOS 15 Speed Skimming system in Halifax, Canada in cooperation with their local representative, Griffin Engineered Systems, for Canadian response organizations and companies, represented by Eastern Canada Response Corporation (ECRC), Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Defense (DND), ALERT and RMI Marine. Despite the harsh weather conditions Halifax harbor that day…
Homecoming for HMCS Toronto after 7 Months
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto arrived in her home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jan. 18, after seven months in the Mediterranean Sea region as part of Operation REASSURANCE, the Department of National Defense said. Dozens of people held yellow balloons and homemade signs, as ice-clad HMCS Toronto docked in Halifax harbor. Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s military moves in the region. HMCS Fredericton has replaced HMCS Toronto on Operation, part of Canada’s contribution to NATO assurance measures, which promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe. “I would like to congratulate the crew of HMCS Toronto on their accomplishments during this past deployment,” says Justice Minister Peter MacKay.
ABCO Launches Three New Boats
ABCO Industries Limited, Marine Group — located on the waterfront of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia — manufactures welded aluminum boats to 60 ft. The company has served the marine industry for 57 years, and during the past 15 it has developed a comprehensive line of aluminum boats. Delivered in April, Pointe Caveau is a 48 x 16 ft. Delivered in May, this 26 x 10.5 ft. welded aluminum RIB for Ocean Exploration Whale Cruises is propelled by twin 130 hp outboards. Delivered July 27, 2004, this is a 32 x 10.5 ft. welded aluminum harbor patrol vessel for Halifax Port Authority. It is powered by a pair of 5.9l Cummins driving Ultradynamics 305 waterjets…
Canadian Navy Puts Out Tenders for Floating Barrier
The Canadian navy is moving ahead with plans to build a floating fence around its dockyards in Halifax, according to a CBC News report. Currently, there is no physical barrier stopping any boat from targeting the navy's 22 major warships in Halifax and Esquimalt on the West Coast. The navy hopes a two-meter-high barrier will prevent attacks like the one in Yemen in 2000, when a small boat loaded with explosives rammed into the American warship USS Cole. Seventeen sailors were killed and 39 injured. The navy has put out tenders for the $3.5-million fence, which will stretch 1.5 kilometers in Halifax Harbor and rest about 100 meters from the vessels. The navy has yet to select the design of the floating fence. But work could start as early as March. (Source: CBC News)
Rowan Provides Contract Status of Offshore Rigs
Rowan Companies, Inc. announced that the current contract status of its offshore drilling fleet. In the Gulf of Mexico: Gorillas II, III, IV and VI are each operating under well-to-well contracts. Eastern Canada - Gorilla V completed a one-well contract on September 18 and is now in Halifax Harbor. Though the outlook for 2003 is favorable, the near-term outlook for additional work offshore eastern Canada is uncertain. North Sea - Gorilla VII completed a contract as an accommodation unit on September 12 and is currently under contract for a short-term construction program in the Norwegian Sector. With several bids in process, the near-term outlook for additional work in the North Sea, while uncertain, is, for the moment, more promising than eastern Canada.
