Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Question Board

The old adage "Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies" does NOT apply at Shipfax. In fact, I am only too pleased to answer questions. And I will give the correct answer if I know it. If not I will say so.


A recent question (by Anon) about the red tug near the Dartmouth Yacht Club in Bedford Basin carries an interesting tale. (It is dimly visible under the letter V in the attached photo.)
One of several vessels built in Poland in the 1980s for Neftegaz, the Russian Oil company, it was originally Neftegaz 29. It is one of four sisters bought by Secunda Marine Services of Dartmouth (now J.Ray McDermott Canada.) They were built of excellent steel, however they were of an obsolete design and no longer employable. Secunda got them for a good price.

The first two sisters were rebuilt and became Trinity Sea and Burin Sea. A third sister was also rebuilt (although not as extensively) as Panuke Sea. It was intended to rebuild this vessel and it was renamed Sable Sea. However there was no work for a fourth vessel and it remained in layup. When Secunda wanted to use the name Sable Sea for another vessel, this one was renamed Intrepid Sea.

It has been used to supply parts to the other three sisters and is non-operational as it sits. It's future is unknown - although its hull is still in good shape, there is little demand for supply boats in this area now, and newer used ones can be acquired if needed.


For good photos see the following link http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=717270
Intrepid Sea is tied up in Wright's Cove at the Secunda Marine Dock. This dock used to be the Ultramar dock, before that Gulf Oil and before that B-A (British-American). It was built for tankers to unload to a tank farm (long gone) below what is now the Burnside Industrial Park It is also commonly called the Burnside pier. Since Secunda acquired it, it has seen little use, except as a layup berth.
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