Case Study: Towing Canada’s Iconic Museum Vessel CSS Acadia
Project Summary
AqualisBraemar LOC (ABL) operations in Canada, based in Halifax and Calgary, provided marine warranty survey and marine assurance and risk services on the safe towing of iconic Canadian vessel CSS Acadia – the only remaining Canadian vessel to have served in both World War I and World War II – from Halifax to docking at Shelburne Shipyard, Nova Scotia.
About CSS Acadia
The CSS Acadia, build in 1913, is a former hydrographic surveying and oceanographic research ship of the Hydrographic Survey of Canada and its successor the Canadian Hydrographic Service. It was built in the same era as the Titanic, in Newcastle-on-Tyne in England.
The historically significant ship is now a National historic site and part of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax. It has also featured in multiple films and documentaries.
Usually docked every two years at the nearby Irving Shipyard in Halifax for her periodical inspection, cleaning and internal works, this year for the first time, Acadia was towed to be docked at a shipyard out of Halifax – to Shelburne, Nova Scotia.
The tow was executed by Atlantic Towing Limited.
ABL’s scope of work
ABL acted as marine warranty surveyor for the tow of CSS Acadia from Halifax to Shelburne, a voyage of 100 nautical miles.
In addition to the usual MWS scope of work, ABL conducted a pre-tow condition survey of the CSS Acadia and the nominated tugs to be used:
- ATLANTIC LARCH for the tow from Halifax to Shelburne
- ATLANTIC ELM for the return tow
ABL also reviewed the tow plan, conducted suitability surveys of the tugs, and reviewed and approved weather windows for all marine operations.
Key features of the project
Securing of the propellor shaft, connecting the tow bridle while anchor winch was removed and securing the rudder.
Throughout the condition survey, ABL had to ensure that operations would be executed with minimum risk to the integrity of the museum and historical element of this vessel, whilst the process of the vessel restauration was ongoing. The cooperation between all parties: Museum, ship keeper, Repair Yard, and towing company was very good.
About ABL operations in Canada
ABL Canada is based out of two offices, in Halifax on the east coast of Canada, and Calgary, towards the west coast of Canada.
In addition to our offices, we have a number of local presences giving us a wide geographical reach to support clients across Canada, with consultants based in Toronto Ontario, Montreal Quebec, St John Newfoundland, and Kitimat.
Our consultants support the renewables, maritime and oil & gas markets, with the full range of ABL Group services, across consulting & engineering, loss prevention and loss management.
Get in touch with ABL Canada to find out how they can support you.