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The
Gov't Wharf.
Sarnia,
Ontario. Feb 2005. |
Samuel
Risley dwarfed by the Algowood.
Sarnia,
Ontario. Feb 2005. |
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Risley
in Quebec showing the effects of
the
cold, windy passage
from
Nova Scotia. |
Sarnia,
Ontario. Feb 2005.
Although
the Risley is small she has
more
HP than many lakers - 8800 BHP! |
Samuel
Risley waiting for a tasking.
Sarnia,
Ontario. Feb 2005. |
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We
did have to stop in at the elevator in
Prescott
to load buoys for transport
to
the Welland canal. |
It
took some careful loading and stowage to ensure they did not break
loose while crossing a stormy Lake Ontario. |
These
are the "BiNational" buoys from US locations around Lake
Ontario. CCG is tasked with the twice yearly change for them. |
|
The
boys unloading buoys.
Port
Colborne. |
The
boys unloading buoys.
Port
Colborne. |
The
boys unloading buoys.
Port
Colborne. |
|
 |
In
Port Weller unloading the Bi-National
buoys
we picked up in Prescott.
These
will be placed in the spring
by
the Griffon or Simcoe. |
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Bright
and early on the morning of Dec 7 the Risley passed between
Bonaventure Island and the Gaspe coast. |
This
afforded us a lovely view of Perce Rock.
At
low tide, in the summer, you can walk out to the hole in the rock. |
Once
again, it is time to beat off the ice that has accumulated over the
last couple of days. |
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The
crane is a prime recipient of freezing spray. |
Closer
look at the ladder to the operator's station. |
There
is still water coming over the rail and freezing on contact. |
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Looking
forward on the starboard side of the boat deck. |
Clearing
off the windlass. |
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Under
this cover is a tugger winch and wire that is used to secure the
ship in the locks.
In
front of the cover is a wooden Ice Mallet. |
The
stores crane was not covered and this is the result. |
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Iced
up bell. |
This
gives you an idea of the direction of the wind and spray. |
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The
frightening thing about freezing spray is this...once it starts it
increases the size of the objects it freezes to. This increased
size offers more surface area for more spray to freeze onto.
And so it builds. Quickly.
All
this ice build-up greatly affects the centre of gravity of the ship
and diminishes the Stability of the ship.
Many
ships have been lost because of freezing spray. |
Weather
screen. |
|
Dark
clouds overhead. |
Cleaning
the windows. Salt water spray is much more difficult to clean
off than fresh water spray. |
The
Captain working on the ice on one of the Risley's searchlight. |
|
The
temperature this day was about -20 Celsius. Wind chill brought
that remarkably lower. Despite this those who are employed in
the removal of ice soak their clothes with sweat from the effort required. |
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Better
times ahead. |
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In
the Strait of Canso there is a Seaway maximum-size lock. The
construction of this lock was necessary when the Canso Causeway was
built between Nova Scotia and Cape Breton in the mid 1950's. |
This
is the back range for ships approaching the lock from the west.
There is also an old graveyard here. |
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The
lock is necessary because the tides on either side of the causeway
are different. Usually the lift is less than a metre. |
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|
Now
that the ship is clear of the lock it is time to start removing the
ice that accumulated on the way up the Nova Scotia coast. |
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Unfortunately,
more ice formed once the Risley cleared Cape George and headed into
the westerly gales. |
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While
outbound the ship's FRC had to return to the base on an urgent mission.
The
first photos shows the boat being prepared for lowering in the
Miranda Davits. |
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These
show the FRC returning to the Risley. |
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Once
we altered course to the North East the sea was on the quarter.
This made the Risley roll a bit more than she does on the
Lakes. But, it washed off the after deck! |
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At
wharf 8 at the Coast Guard Base in Halifax just before departure for
the Lakes. |
CCGS
Samuel Risley, based in Parry Sound, Onatrio, had not been off the
Great Lakes since her delivery in 1985.
In
October 2004 she was required to transit to Shelburne, Nova Scotia
to undergo a drydocking. These photos were taken on the return
journey from Halifax, NS to Parry Sound, ON. |
At
wharf 8 at the Coast Guard Base in Halifax just before departure for
the Lakes. |
|
May
16, 2003
Anchored
in the approaches to Algoma Steel
Sault
Ste Marie, Ontario |
May
16, 2003
Anchored
in the approaches to Algoma Steel
Sault
Ste Marie, Ontario |
|
May
16, 2003
Anchored
in the approaches to Algoma Steel
Sault
Ste Marie, Ontario |
May
16, 2003
Anchored
in the approaches to Algoma Steel
Sault
Ste Marie, Ontario |
May
16, 2003
Anchored
in the approaches to Algoma Steel
Sault
Ste Marie, Ontario |
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Anchored
inside Davieaux Island, Lake Superior, May 18, 2003 |
Anchored
inside Davieaux Island, Lake Superior, May 18, 2003 |
Anchored
inside Davieaux Island, Lake Superior, May 18, 2003 |
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Preparing
the barge for buoy work in the St Mary's river. |
Brad
shows of the latest in markers. |
More
prep. |
|
Are
we ready yet? |
Backing
away.
The
barge has a 100 hp Detroit Diesel which moves a Z-drive. |
Very
maneuverable. |
|
Samuel
Risley at the Roberta Bondar dock for the night. |
The
Risley anchored clear of the dangers. |
CG
Grow Op.
This
tree normally grows in the wheelhouse but was taken outside for some
direct sun. It's been around for many years. |
|
Following
the engine work / refit the Risley must exercise the crew at their
fire and lifeboat stations. Here we see the lifeboat bowsed in
so the crew can embark. |
Once
the crew have embarked the bowsing tackle have been loosened so the
boat swings clear of the ship side. The bowsing tackle will be
released and the boat will be lowered. |
Just
to prove the motor works the Second Mate gets to go for a drive. |
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Returning
to the ship. |
Not
that many years ago these lifeboats were also used as
workboats. Consequently the crew were well versed in how to
operate them and how to approach and hook up the falls even in severe
weather conditions. |
Nowadays
we seldom use the boats and the lack of experience shows.
Lifeboats are, after all, usually for a one-way trip. |
|
A
lesson on the Titanic's lifeboats.
Click
Here.
Lifeboats,
Rescue Boats & Davits.
Click
Here.
Royal
National Lifeboat Institute,
an
amazing organization.
Click
Here.
|
Hooked
on and lifting. |
Most
everything you need to know
about
operating a commercial ship
in
Canada.
Click
Here. |
|
The
beach alongside the
CG
base in Parry Sound.
More
on Parry Sound. Click Here. |
The
Risley's first job after refit was to proceed to Lake Huron to
recover an old winter spar buoy which had surfaced. |
Brad,
Winchman,
waiting
for the barge to return. |
|
The
old buoy was found courtesy of some folks along the shore who were
able to see it close to a point of land. |
As
you can see, it is black.
That
means it's at least 20 years old. |
There
is no mooring on it.
One
scenario is that it had sunk years ago after drifting off a ledge in
high winds. |
|
Recently
the mooring had rotted enough to break and allow the buoy to resurface. |
Which
it did not far from Cove Island, on the Georgian Bay side.
Then it drifted down to the Canadian shore of Lake Huron. |
After
all these years submerged the retro-reflective tape is still intact.
What
is T-1? Click
Here. |
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Has
a shallow draft and goes like stink
but
not nice to look at. |
The
Risley's 'Torpedo' barge returning to the ship for lunch. The
crew were brushing the ranges on both Otters so they can be seen by
ships and boats using the secondary channel. |
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While
we were there the Senior Engineer needed attention at one of the
clinics. This gave us the opportunity to allow the Logistics
Officer to refresh his boathandling skills.
Rhiot
training.
How
to operate one of these boats.
Click
Here. |
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Looking
out into Lake Superior from the approaches to Superior. The
Risley backed in as that is the easiest way to deal with the slush. |
As
we backed in the ice got heavier
and
our track got straighter. |
Same
thing, different view. |
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First
you back into it |
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then
you move ahead to
damage
it with your wash. |
The
wind has it packed in very tight. |
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When
you back into the ice
with
the Risley |
it
tends to come up over the stern roller |
and
then needs to be shovelled off. |
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This
load of ice on the after deck isn't too bad as it is mostly slush.
When the huge chunks come over the roller it's very impressive -
except to the 3 deckhands who have to move it all. |
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Once
through the worst of the ice
we
turned around to go bow-first. |
The
remnants of the Sundew track. |
This
is where we are trying to get.
The
USCGC Sundew has been out a certain distance and you can see her
track winding through the ice. |
|
A
fellow taking photos of the Samuel Risley. If any of you know this
person I would like to get copies of the photos he took. |
I
would imagine that the ice would transmit the power of the
icebreaker to anyone standing on it. Must be quite the experience. |
Superior
Light with the photographer. |
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Inside
Superior's breakwalls. |
It
was a cool day for boatwatching. |
Boatnerds
on the breakwall. |
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The
Risley went in and out the track several times to ensure it was passable. |
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The
photographer stayed out there. |
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Superior
Light |
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