Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 24, 2019, 05:20:16 PM
I used to do a lot of work for a company called ACL, who had three vessels- the Companion, the Compass and the Conveyor, and I have spent so much time on these ships that I know my way around them blindfolded. These vessels were pretty amazing- not only did they have RoRo (Roll On, Roll Off) decks for heavy equipment, trailers, vehicles etc, they also carried a lot of containers. I can't tell you what the TEU (Twenty Foot Equivelant, the standard measurement for container ships) was without looking it up, but these vessels were amazing for more than that- see the coolness of the container ship that turns into an aircraft carrier here (https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/the-atlantic-conveyor/). With history like that I always loved these ships.
But, they were being retired when I got hurt, and the new vessels started to replace them. The first of the new vessels was in port about a week before I got hurt, but I hadn't had a chance to go and see it before I broke my ankle.
Now there are five replacement vessels in service, and last night was my first chance to get on board one, the Atlantic Sail, which is the second of the five.
(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Defventures/Work/15483435216970.jpg?m=1548343788)
She's bigger than the vessels she is replacing, and a very different design, although the configuration is similar- containers up front, RoRo in the stern, and of course she's the same colors.
(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Defventures/Work/15483435220723.jpg?m=1548343788)
This is the massive ramp coming down- I don't know how much the ramp itself weighs, but I know they are generally good to support over 100 tonnes. They are HUGE. And yet, when one of the old ones wasn't behaving, one of the vessel crew went out to the end of the ramp and started jumping up and down to try and make it work! :rofl:
Like I said, I have spent a lot of time on these vessels- I probably have more time on the old three ACL vessels than I do on any other boat.
(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Defventures/Work/15483435219151.jpg?m=1548343788)
Even though the Sail is brand new (only a couple of years old) she still felt like coming home. She may be newer, but she has the same feel as the old vessels. Sure she has a fresh paint smell and the bulkheads are hinged on the side instead of the top like they were on the older ones, but she still has positive pressure in all the holds, so when you open a door you walk into a small localized hurricane.... and I have to say I was smiling like s little kid at a carnival the whole damned time.
(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Defventures/Work/15483435219992.jpg?m=1548343788)
They say you can't go home again, but they also say that home is what you make of it. For me, the Sail was like visiting the kid you never met of a long gone friend- the body language is familiar, they know all the old stories, and there are enough of the old mannerisms that the one that's gone will live on, even if it is in a new shell.
How's that for silly sentimentalism? :P
Def
Post by: Aloha on January 24, 2019, 05:34:30 PM
Post by: smiller43147 on January 24, 2019, 07:37:01 PM
Post by: Greg Jones on January 24, 2019, 07:56:14 PM
If I pass you on the street be sure to say HI! :cheers:
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 24, 2019, 08:04:35 PM
WOW thats a huge ship. I used to think about being a crew member on board one of these. Well that was a long time ago.
You aren't kidding... over a hundred thousand gross tonnage.... here's her info if anyone is interested:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:3806219/mmsi:235114667/imo:9670585/vessel:ATLANTIC_SAIL
Not the biggest vessel I've been on by far, and they keep bringing in bigger ones. I just have a soft spot for the ACL vessels because of how much time I have spent on board. I have also been on this one many times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1hDeBhqhtk
At one time the largest car carrier on the planet.
:like:
If I pass you on the street be sure to say HI! :cheers:
I'm in the North End of Halifax- next time you cross the McKay, wave- you can see my house from center span!
And if you ever want to grab a beer or something, let me know. (902) 233-8888. :D
Def
Post by: Greg Jones on January 24, 2019, 10:29:19 PM
WOW thats a huge ship. I used to think about being a crew member on board one of these. Well that was a long time ago.
You aren't kidding... over a hundred thousand gross tonnage.... here's her info if anyone is interested:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:3806219/mmsi:235114667/imo:9670585/vessel:ATLANTIC_SAIL
Not the biggest vessel I've been on by far, and they keep bringing in bigger ones. I just have a soft spot for the ACL vessels because of how much time I have spent on board. I have also been on this one many times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1hDeBhqhtk
At one time the largest car carrier on the planet.:like:
If I pass you on the street be sure to say HI! :cheers:
I'm in the North End of Halifax- next time you cross the McKay, wave- you can see my house from center span!
And if you ever want to grab a beer or something, let me know. (902) 233-8888. :D
Def
We should
I know the North End well, I lived across from and played in the pit as a kid, also watched the new bridge being constructed,, my wife grew up on the part of Albert St they changed to Devonshire :cheers:
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 25, 2019, 01:10:50 PM
I love this neighborhood. You are so close to downtown and yet it is so quiet and out of the way you feel like you are in a small town. :tu:
Def
Post by: Reinier on January 25, 2019, 01:29:53 PM
BTW, I thought you moved to somewhere in Quebec a while ago but I guess I was mistaken.
Post by: Greg Jones on January 25, 2019, 01:32:11 PM
I'm in your neighborhood then. Ten years ago I bought the white house next to the pit at the corner of Newbery and Kencrest. :D
I love this neighborhood. You are so close to downtown and yet it is so quiet and out of the way you feel like you are in a small town. :tu:
Def
Small world, I haven't lived there though since the early 70s, back then the pit was still a pit, not the oasis it is today, I'm out in Mt Uniacke :cheers:
Post by: LoopCutter on January 25, 2019, 01:38:32 PM
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Post by: Nix on January 25, 2019, 02:41:31 PM
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 25, 2019, 03:55:48 PM
That's quite a cool big ship. I know nothing about boats, except that they usually float.
BTW, I thought you moved to somewhere in Quebec a while ago but I guess I was mistaken.
I was right on the Ontario/Quebec border and spent a lot of time in Quebec, so maybe that is why? We went hiking, kayaking and camping there a lot, plus we did a lot of booze shopping in Quebec where the taxes were less. :D
And yes, boats are much better when they float! :D
Def
Post by: microbe on January 25, 2019, 09:44:13 PM