The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Vessel supports tidal energy work
Sustainable Marine takes flexible approach
Sustainable Marine Energy recently took delivery of a new support vessel.
Tidal Pioneer is a new build, completed in April. The vessel sailed from Rotterdam on Aug. 5, arriving in Halifax on Aug. 24. The type of vessel is known as a multicat, and is 26 metres long and 11 metres wide.
Offset superstructure allows for a large working deck area, and the square bow is equipped for pushing barges.
The type is very popular in Europe, but this is only the second example of one in Eastern Canada, the first being Dominion Diving's Dominion Warrior. Dominion Diving recognized the flexibility the vessel provides, with ample space to work and handle other equipment.
Sustainable Marine has chosen an incremental approach to developing its technology. Unlike the failed open hydro project, which
was mounted to the sea floor, the PLAT-I turbines are suspended from a floating structure. This allows the turbines to be raised out of the water for maintenance and inspection, simplifying their operation. The Tidal Pioneer will excel at supporting the platforms.
Sustainable Marine, which has a facility in Dartmouth, has had success operating its smaller PLAT-I 4.6 turbine in Digby Neck, and this year installed the larger PLAT-I 6.4 for testing. This platform was built by A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd. in Meteghan and will eventually be installed at Fundy FORCE, Nova Scotia's tidal energy test site.
The Nova Scotia marine sector developed several skills in offshore work during the last 30 years of oil and gas development. It would be good to see some of those transferred to clean energy and ocean sciences projects.
In other news:
• CSS Acadia, the largest artifact in the Maritime Museum of Atlantic's collection, was towed to Shelburne Ship Repair on Aug. 26. The ship is there for hull repairs and a paint job. The ship was built in the United Kingdom in 1913 and served in both world wars. Corrosion of the hull was becoming a concern, and at least one hole above the waterline had been noted.
• Siem Pilot took to the basin Monday. The ship operated by Secunda will be working with Dominion Diving, which loaded a remotely operated vehicle to perform a subsea cable
inspection.
• Zim Yokohama finally tied up at PSA Halifax last weekend, then sailed for New York. The ship had been at anchor in the approaches since Aug. 6 with reported cases of COVID-19 aboard. Such ships are not permitted to enter port. Earlier this year, several ships with cases anchored off Newfoundland.