Week One on STV Tuna

STV Tuna at her berth at Fleet Diving Units Jetty, Shearwater Nova Scotia

STV TUNA

History
Two vessels TUNA (Halifax) and GOLDCREST (Esquimalt) were procured on April 1985. The Commander Maritime Command did establish a requirement to provide two sail training vessels suitable for offshore passages and races. Vessels of this type had previously been operated by Maritime Command (CFAV GOLDCREST, CFAV TUNA), but were disposed of without replacement in the early 1970’s. Sea trials were carried out 28 and 29 of Mar 85 at Port Credit, Ontario. Trials were carried out by NDHQ staff. On competition of trials the two vessels we move to the respective coasts.  Currently STV Tuna is dock at the FDU jetty (Shearwater).
C/S. CZJO
Sail #2372
MMSI 316015408
PHRF 132 (spinnaker). 150 non Spinnaker
MAIN TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Dimensions
L.O.A. – 36’6″
L.W.L. – 29’3″
Beam – 11’6″
Draft – 6’3″
Displacement – 15,500 lbs.
Sail Area – 822 sq. ft.
Ballast keel of approximately 6,500 lbs. is a lead casting
Engine Westerbeke 33 hp, 4 cycle diesel
Both Hull and Deck are glass reinforced plastic (G.R.P.)
The deck has a special nonskid pattern
Crew 8

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Deliver crew from Halifax to Digby, Nova Scotia

Thursday, July 9th, 10am Departed Halifax for Liverpool, Nova Scotia.  After a safety briefing, tour of the boat and storage of store we set off.  After about 15 mins into the trip Mike realizes that he forgot his glasses so back we went to Shearwater.  We motored out of the habour and started down the coast towards Liverpool.  Our first plan was to anchor in a bay at Coffin Island but after a closer look at the charts and because our arrival was going to be after dark we decided to going into the yacht club in Liverpool for the night. Liverpool is 59 nm from Halifax.

Liverpool Yacht Club is located just in the habour on the right hand side just passed the rock break water.  This was my second time here and both times there were docks available, There were a few other boats here for overnight stay as well.  The price to stay here is $35.00 per night which include water, power (30 amp) and showers.  Its a small club and is located a distance from the town. So to get fuel you need to get one of the locals to drive you with Jerry cans.  I should add that there is a very small very well marked channel going into this yacht club.  We arrived at low tide and it show only nine feet of water in most places on our depth sounder.

Liverpool

Liverpool Yacht Club docks

Liverpool Yacht Club East docks

Liverpool Yacht Club, Club house

Friday, July 10th, departed Liverpool for Clarks Habour, Nova Scotia.  We left Liverpool at 7 am and headed back down the coast towards our next stop.  Still no wind and sea was like glass.  We saw a few other sailboat farther out to sea.  After looking on AIS we found out they were boats that were in the Marble Head race.  I guess they were all heading home.
We stuck close to the coast so we would have something to look at as the day went on.  We did see, Harbour seal, Minke whales, porpoise and a sunfish.

We ended up motoring a total of 74 nm to Clarks habour since there was no wind again.  We pulled into Clarks habour at 7 pm and tied up to the government wharf.  We found out there was no cost to spend the night there.  There was power on the wharf, but no water or fuel.  To get fuel you had to walk up the road to the gas station.  Which was just a 5 min walk.  There is also a well stocked corner store there as well. The corner store also sold propane.  The channel going into this habour is well marked and the habour is very well protected.  Lots of people we on the wharf fishing squid.  You could see them swimming around the wharf pillars.

Baptist Stone Church Clarks Habour

Clarks Habour

Clarks Habour Information

STV Tuna at government wharf

Clarks Habour

Lobster holding pens 

Saturday, July 11th.  We departed the Habour at 6 am on low tide so we would could make it to Digby Neck on rising tide. For the first few hours we were fighting the currents but by mid-morning the currents turned and we got sucks up along the coast.  Again no wind and the water was like glass.  But Terry Scott made some great meals for us so all was not lost.

When we got to Digby Neck we motored through the gap.  Before we entered the gap our water speed was 6 knots.  Half way through the gap our GPS speed jumped to over 10 knots.  With the Bay of Fundy still flooding we got a push all the way to Digby.  Average speed was 7.5 GPS. We arrived at Digby just before midnight.  Total distance of this trip was 242 nm's

The first week of cadet training went well.  We took 7 cadets and 1 escort officer out each day.

Government wharf Digby - high tide

Government wharf Digby - low tide

The tides in Digby habour is normally 22 feet. So docking on a floating dock is a must.

I was surprise by my wife RaeAnn a few days after I got here.  We decided to stay at the Digby Pines hotel while she was here.  I is a grand old hotel with great rooms, very clean and has a great restaurant. The rates per night are not that bad either at only $142.00 per night.  The history of the hotel is very interesting.

Digby Pines from the water

Main Hall

Main door

Outdoor chess set

ReaAnn and Todd enjoying the Digby Pines