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

Check us out on Facebook (STV Tuna) for more information https://www.facebook.com/groups/STV.TUNA/

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

CANADA DAY ADMIRAL’S SAIL PAST

THE ADMIRAL’S SAIL PAST HISTORY


Each year, on Canada Day, an interesting event occurs in Halifax Harbour that has its roots in an old British tradition. It is the day when many private yachts from the local clubs sail past the Commander MARLANT in salute. Here is the history.

Early in his reign, King Henry VIII started a build up of the Royal Navy, but soon realized that the number of ships needed could not be paid for with the public purse. After consultation with his government, it was decided to offer a subsidy on newly built ships of private ship owners, in return for which the recipient would agree to make his vessel and crew available to the crown in time of war; an arrangement which is still in effect to this day. During the Falklands war many ships were Ships Taken Up From Trade, S.T.U.F.T.

As a means of reaffirming this contract and to show that these vessels were sound and in good operation, it was required that on a particular day each year, these vessels would sail past and salute the king on his Royal Barge moored on the Thames, while the Royal Secretary recorded the names of each vessel as they sailed past.
Since these were commercial vessels and could well be elsewhere on this appointed day, many ship owners petitioned for exclusion from this requirement. The king, fearing abuse of this exclusion, came up with a compromise, that these ships could sail past the Port Admiral of whatever Naval port they were nearest to, and the Admiral’s secretary could record the names and forward them to the Admiralty.

Soon, other ship owners, without subsidy, joined the Sail Past in an open demonstration of loyalty to the crown, and these vessels were included in the list of ships available during time of conflict. As the centuries rolled on, the tradition of the Admiral’s Sail Past grew and became an occasion of much festivity and colour, looked forward to each year by ship owners and the general public alike.
During the early and mid 19th century yachting became a popular pastime of the wealthy upper class and the aristocracy in Britain. Many people owned yachts of considerable size and potential to the Royal Navy, and because members of the Royal family were involved in yachting, many of these yachts started to take part in the Admiral’s Sail Past, adding much colour to the event.
As modern yachtsmen we should remember Dunkirk, where many small boats, including privately owned yachts, sailed to the shores of France to rescue the Army from certain death or imprisonment. Many of these vessels did not return from the mission.

Throughout the world, wherever traditions of the Royal Navy persist, this noble and worthwhile tradition continues. The event, as practiced in Halifax Harbour each year, is now carried out as an expression of respect and acknowledgement to the Navy for all they have done in the past and are prepared to do in the future.

Shearwater Yacht club hosts this event each year. This year the motor/sail past was received by a  Reviewing Dignitary aboard HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN, who received the salute.



How to salute

Vessels shall salute two boat lengths before the reviewing stand.

The procedure for saluting is as follows:
A salute will consist of dipping the ensign, and
The crew will face the Reviewing Officer with caps removed.

Note: Boats without ensigns will salute by luffing the jib, or in the case of vessels under power, with enthusiastic (but polite) waves to the Reviewing Dignitary.

STV Tuna leading the sail past

Sail Past on Halifax waterfront

Sail Past on Halifax waterfront

Sail Past on Halifax waterfront

Sail Past on Halifax waterfront

Sail Past on Halifax waterfront

Sail Past on Halifax waterfront

Motor boat waiting off of navy dockyard

Sail Past on Halifax waterfront

Sail Past on Halifax waterfront

RaeAnn and Renee enjoying a drink on the deck at the Bicycle Thief 

deck at the Bicycle Thief 

deck at the Bicycle Thief 

deck at the Bicycle Thief 

A few days in Wreck Cove, Nova Scotia

This weekend was the first time this year that we spend the weekend on the boat.  We motored over Wreck Cove which is only a 20 minutes away from Shearwater Yacht Club. Inside this cove is a beautiful little crescent shaped cove that is ideal for anchoring. On Friday night 3 other boats (Good Medicne, Breezing and WishWind II) joined us from the club and we rafted up for a BBQ and a few drinks.  It was a very enjoyable night and the most warm weather we had so far this year. 

The second day was windy from the north but when you are in the cove you are protected from the winds pretty well.  There are some really nice beaches in the cove and are easily reached from the moorings. There are about 20 moorings in the cove that people have placed there over the years.  Some of them look pretty old so we only use the SYC mooring which was placed there this year.  At low tide there is about 6.5 feet of water at the mooring with lots of swing room.  This cove can be pretty busy on the weekends.  There is a ferry service that runs from Eastern Passage to the beach here in the cove so people are being picked up and dropped off in the morning and evenings.  Also some boats come here for the day to enjoy the beaches.  But in the evening most of the boats leave.

History

Wreck Cove(Back Cove), which according to friends of McNabs, has become the final resting place for several scuttled ships which some can still be seen at low tide along the beach.

Roger Drake was a fisherman who lived near the government wharf at Wreck Cove. From him the narrow passage between McNabs and Lawlor islands received its name. The census of 1827 indicates that he was a Roman Catholic and that in his house at that time were two males and one female. His son Alex, presumably one of the males, lived there after him.

William Frost lived at the extreme end of Wreck Cove, near the mouth of Frost Fish Brook. The place had first been occupied by a man named Farrell and later by Jacob Hutt. Andrew Hutt was listed in the 1827 census as being a Presbyterian farmer who's household consisted of three males and three females.

Friends of McNabs Island

Wreck Cove mooring field (looking South)

Wreck Cove North beach

Wreck Cove West (entrance to cove)

RaeAnn Studying, Harley enjoying the sun

Harley wanting to play

RaeAnn and Todd having a drink on Rob's boat

S'More

RaeAnn enjoying a S'More while watching the hockey game.

The first printed S’mores recipe appeared in 1927 in the Girl Scout handbook called, Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. Folklore tells us the name “S’mores” came about because everyone who tasted one asked for “some more.”

Indoor or Outdoor S'Mores Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 marshmallows
• 1 graham crackers, broken into halves
• 1 Milk Chocolate Bars, broken into halves

Directions

1. S'Mores: Place 1/2 of HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Bar on graham cracker half. Carefully toast marshmallow over grill or campfire; place over chocolate. Top with second graham cracker half; gently press together. Enjoy!

Spring shake down

The boat has been in the water now for a week.  We have been working hard to put her back together and testing all of the upgrades and work I did this winter.  So far everything is working the way they are suppose to.  Some of the items that didn't work;

1. 1 running light which was disconnected.
2. Wind speed indicator (cooked I think)
3. AIS from radio to Raymarie.  Another disconnected cable.

Besides that everything else seems to be working well.  The solar panel is awesome, the 1500 watt power inventor is great.  Now have lots of power for the boat to keep the refrigerate going 24 and 7.   Been out on the habour a couple of times so far.  Twice on a habour tour under power and once under sail yesterday.  The new rudder is working great and the shaft balance seems to help with the engine noise.

The other thing I have been working on is a Excel spreadsheet to track all the items that I have been repaired and installed.  I was starting lose track of when and what I have done to the boat.  Would also like to make another sheet to track equipment serial numbers and models.  Maybe I should also have a sheet to track the spares that I have on the boat since I spend 1/2 hour looking for a part yesterday.

New chart table instrument panel

Main cabin put back together

RaeAnn hard a work making cushions

The cushions

Mainsail (need a bigger truck or smaller boat)

Crew hard a work on habour tour

Shelly our communications officer

Just one more selfie

First night back in the water

Pierre up the mast running the lazy jacks

My beautiful wife looking good

Spring Launch

The boat is in the water for another season.   It's been a long time coming.

Unnaming and Renaming

It's done.

We renamed our boat last weekend and now we are good to go.  Hopefully we will not have any bad luck because of this. Boat is going back in the water for the summer on Saturday, May 9th.

Happy Crew!

Below is the document that we used for the renaming.    

Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name Get Met IV which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom. As proof thereof, we submit this ingot bearing her name to be corrupted through your powers and forever be purged from the sea.

In grateful acknowledgment of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (Pour at least half of the bottle of Champagne into the sea from East to West. The remainder may be passed among your guests.

Begin the renaming by again calling Poseidon as follows:

Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as Sweet Tango guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.

 In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (At this point, one bottle of Champagne, less one glass for the master and one glass for the mate are poured into the sea from West to East.)

The next step in the renaming ceremony is to appease the gods of the winds. This will assure you of fair winds and smooth seas. Because the four winds are brothers, it is permissible to invoke them all at the same time, however, during the ceremony; you must address each by name. Begin in this manner:

     

Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel Sweet Tango the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.(Facing north, pour a generous libation of Champagne into a Champagne flute and fling to the North as you intone:)

Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.(Facing west, pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West while intoning:)  Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.(Facing east, repeat and fling to the East.) Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.

(Facing south, repeat, flinging to the South.) Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.

Drink more

A long winters night

It has been a very long winter with more snow then I would like too talk about.  I have spend many cold days and nights working on the boat getting her ready for this summer and dreaming of sailing along the south coast of Nova Scotia this summer.

Iced up at Shearwater Yacht Club

To much snow

Keel sitting on 8 inches of ice

The main goal for me this winter was to get to know the boat better inside and complete a very long list of upgrades before she goes back into the water in May.  The big thing I learned working on my boat over the winter is;

a. Every task that you do on a boat takes four times the amount of time that you think it will,

b. You are always missing one small part once you start a job,

c. When doing a job you always find at least one or two more jobs that need to be done,

d. Doesn't matter how big the boat is you always need more room to work.

This winter I traced most of the wiring on the boat and label them.  Which end up in a few surprises.  Like the fact I had a 4th bilge pump  that I didn't know was there. (It now even works).  I also replaced all of the black water and grey water piping in the head.   Which also included installing a y-value so we can pump out our holding tank ourselves.  I think all the piping was original to the boat and was in the need of changing.  The vent pipe was also plugged which I think was adding a smell to the head when the holding tank was being used.

We decided also to upgrade the radar, autohelm and charplotter to the latest Raymaire  systems.  This system will use a lot less power and will give us more confident in the electronics that will hopefully help keep us safe when underway.  The install of these electronics were pretty straight forward with plenty of online help.  The other electronic item we upgraded to complete the suite was the VHF radio.  We put in a B & G V50 VHF radio that has a built in AIS receiver that will tie into the Raymaire network.

Which we are on the subject of electronics I also installed a digital TV receiver which I mounted on the radar mast on the stern of the boat.  Once I had it installed I found that I could get 4 channels on the television while at the yacht club.  It will be nice to be able to get a new channel while on the boat.

  

And last but not least I installed a wireless router and wireless repeater so that we can connect to wireless networks while on boat the boat. The wireless router has been installed in the main cabin and the wireless repeater was install on the radar mast beside the TV receiver.  I went with +++++ for this equipment becuase of the software that was installed on the routers which seems to be better then other other routers that I looked at.  Plus the max power output is higher then other units so this should give me better range for connection and find external wireless networks. When I tested at my home I could see over 25 wireless networks in my neighborhood .