Departure and Arrival of MV Asterix

MV Asterix made a trip from Halifax to Norfolk and back this week, departing on Tuesday January 3 and returning on Sunday January 8. I managed to capture both departure and arrival, from King's Wharf and the Macdonald Bridge respectively.

MV Asterix departing Halifax.

MV Asterix departing Halifax.

MV Asterix departing Halifax.

MV Asterix returning to Halifax.

MV Asterix returning to Halifax.

MV Asterix returning to Halifax.

Asterix had already released the tug when I captured her departure, but was helped back alongside by a single tug from Atlantic Towing.

RCN ships return from Exercise Joint Warrior 2020

The RCN deployed four ships as part of Exercise Joint Warrior off the northern coast of Scotland this month: HMC Ships VILLE DE QUEBEC and HALIFAX plus MV Asterix departed from Halifax, and HMCS TORONTO was already deployed on NATO duty. I missed HALIFAX when she returned earlier today, but I did manage to catch Asterix on her return around 5:30. The light didn't exactly cooperate, but I captured some images anyway.

MV Asterix arrival in Halifax

The Royal Canadian Navy's new interim AOR (Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment) arrived in Halifax this morning. MV Asterix proceeded to go alongside at Pier 20 near the offices of Federal Fleet Services, her owner.

Sooner after picking up a pilot, two Atlantic Towing tugs headed out to help her into port. There was a stiff wind blowing this morning.

Asterix headed east of George's Island in order to loop around to Pier 20.

As an interim AOR, intended to bridge the gap between the now paid off PROTECTUER and PRESERVER and the two yet-to-be-build JSS (Joint Support Ship), Asterix remains the property of Federal Fleet Services and is chartered to the Navy. While there is the option of purchasing Asterix outright, for the time being she will not be commissioned into the Navy, and will be crewed by civilians with a small Naval complement.

Canadian Defence Review has a short article here.

The only time I got some images with some sun on her, there were tugs in the way.

A first for an RCN AOR, Asterix has her superstructure aft and her cargo handling gear forward, similiar to the AORs in some other navies. The two kingposts (aft towards the superstructure) handle fuel and dry goods, and the heavy lift hydraulic cranes can presumably be used to stow heavier containers and equipment.

A close-up of the two kingposts and the control cab in between.

Asterix has two hangars within the superstructure to carry the new Cyclone helicopters, and can even land a Chinook.

Asterix's superstructure towers over the Seaport Market at Pier 20.

A close-up of the bridge superstructure, with the lower control deck presumably used during replenishment operations.

I understand that Asterix is scheduled to begin trials with the Navy earlier in the new year.