Container Ship CMA CGM Orfeo

Container ships are getting larger and larger, and CMA CGM Orfeo is one of the larger vessels to call in Halifax these days (though there are much larger ships out there). Seeing her alongside at Halterm  last Sunday with several cranes working her cargo of containers puts her into some perspective.

Loading is almost complete in this photo.

Tugs are present, and the ship is preparing to depart.

Orfeo left the pier and headed out as we were heading back to the jetty in VILLE DE QUEBEC.

Maiden Voyage of Norwegian Bliss

While not the largest cruise ship to visit Halifax, Norwegian Bliss is certainly getting up there, boasting 303 metres in length, 168,000 tonnes, and up to 4,004 passengers. She also boasts a more than 300 metre long go-cart track that spans two levels and large water slides that actually hang over the side of the ship.

Watching Norwegian Bliss pull out from behind George's Island in the fog reminded me of the opening gag in the movie "Spaceballs" where, in a parody of the opening of "Star Wars", there is a seemingly endless reveal of a space ship.

OK, I think that's all of her.

 No, apparently the fog bank was hiding the upper decks.

This angle isn't any better.

As impressive as these ships undoubtedly are, the artwork on the bow of these ships is presumably intended to distract the viewer from the fact that the age of beautiful ocean liners is long past.

Another look at the bow artwork.

Another "Spaceballs" type shot.

This is probably the most flattering angle on one of these ships.

One would trust that prices for cruises at this time of year are heavily discounted - for their visit today, passengers could look forward to heavy fog, heavy rain, and a chilly wind. Not exactly the weather for sunning oneself on the upper deck or taking in the water slides.

After leaving Halifax in the evening, Norwegian Bliss is headed to New York. 

Some information here was cribbed from this CTV story.

USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER departure

USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN 69), aka "Ike", departed Halifax this morning, and was off Chebucto Head by 0900 or so. Although the harbour pilot was requested for 0645 or so, she didn't turn around to head out until after the cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas arrived a little after 0800.

Ike beginning her turn with the help of tugs.

Head-on view.

These ships don't turn on a dime, even with the help of tugs.

A close-up of the bow. The crew were busy hosing harbour muck off the starboard anchor, and large splashes could be seen for quite some time after she left her anchorage. If you look near the top right of the image, you can see that the .50 cal machine guns at the bow are manned during her transit out of the harbour.

An E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft sits just forward of the island structure.

Close-up of the island superstructure, which houses the ship's bridge and FLYCO (flying control) centre, as well as multiple sensors and other equipment.

Still washing the anchor. That Halifax Harbour muck is tenacious!

Looks like they finally stowed the anchor, just shy of the McNab's Island lighthouse.

My last view of Ike before I had to leave.