Saturday, February 15, 2014

Water Barge

The Halifax Port Authority provides potable water to ships at a variety of hydrants located on most of its piers. However, when a ship at anchor needs water, it is barged out on vessels such as Dominion Diving's Dominion Boann. Built by Marine Industries Ltd of Sorel, QC in 1956 as one of two 100 ft. self-propelled ammunition lighters for the RCN it was originally named YSF 219. At some point in its career it was converted to a potable water tanker and carried the name YSW 219.
When sold by the navy in the early 1990s it was named YW 219 for a time, then unofficially renamed Water Dog. By this time it no longer had an operational engine.
In 2009 Dominion Diving registered all its surplus naval barges, which had never been registered under government ownership, and gave them distinctive names.

Despite the need for a paint job on the hull, the boat is in very good condition and is usually handled by the small tug Roseway. Today's assignment was to load 100 tons of water for the tanker Maersk Katalin at anchor in Bedford Basin.

Dominion Diving also operates the sister barge Dominion Branwyn which is now a grey/blackwater barge, and was originally YSF 220 (and had several other interim names).

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2 comments:

  1. Fantastic update; why your blog is so popular! YSF 217 was used for Sea Cadet training at HMCS Quadra in Comox for many years.

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  2. I have a friend who now owns the Ship's bell from the YSF 219.
    I came upon your site after doing some research for her.

    Steph

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