We are having a break from all that sunshine, light snow this morning; I can deal with that OK.
As Pathfinder pointed out in comments we on the coast are not the only ones troubled by the vagaries of the mv Astron.
Of course the trip is much shorter and they only had it for a backup ferry. We on the other hand are totally reliant on it.
A friend in the states sent this, apparently it is an old series, it would take some patience to look at the 4 parts but it is worth it, the friend shows it in his social work classes.
Puts a different shinning light on the whole assimilation issue don't ya think?
4 comments:
Here is the general link into Bodewe's Shipbuilding.
http://www.bodewesshipyards.nl/
For some reason the direct link does not post. Select the "Vessel" category and click on "Trader 4300" and then "Trader 4300 Geared". She could haul TEU's on hatches or stowed, and also pick up nice big blocks of Granite. I imagine she'd be good for all manner of general cargo needed up that away. It's a pity, I can't find any open Canada yard on the East coast. The only one is St.Mary's, and that busy with oil platforms. I noted MUN's Marine Institute had some fine expertise. Pity it can't be used.
Digging around, I see our ship the Astron has caused other teeth gnashing before. Here is a very interesting exchange down on the Island. Seems to be lawsuits and potential of suing due to the old tub:
http://www.assembly.nl.ca/business/committees/ga45session2/gs05-04-21.htm
Quite fascinating. Note that they found the prime reason for bad freight to the north cost was parking the Astron and Bond while tankers hog the docks. No wonder things go bad. It is reassuring they have two folks stationed to try to sort out the bung ups of bad loading though. Note the fee Woodward group tried to extort! I've run into his name in quite a few places.
Good Find:
The Liberal party and Woodward’s are synonymous with each other up this way Pathfinder. Strawberries and cream, cheese and crackers.
Mind you they are so powerful that they get their way even under any party in government, the profits may drop a little but the corruption goes on.
I remember bits and pieces about the debacle with the Astron. The Astron had the freight contract and Woodward’s had the Bond and Ranger operating contract at the time if memory serves. The Astron was owned by a consortium headed by Capt H we will call him.
Woodward’s had this other vessel, worse than the Astron if you can believe it, called the Trans Gulf changed to Nada.
Woodward’s did a run around with the Liberal government and undercut Capt H contract. Quite rightly they took it to court, more evidence of Liberal corruption, luckily for the tax payer the Astron acquired a lot of work carrying freight into Voisey’s Bay mine construction. But that only came about because we up here kicked up a fuse because the original plan was to use the boat dedicated for coastal freight, the Nada, was going to do the VB work as well. Woodward’s like their cake and eating it too.
I have to correct your perception that ‘it is reassuring’ in having WST have people in Cartwright and Lewisport’. In theory it should make a difference, in practice not so. I do now know the Lewisport chap but have experience with the Cartwright fellow. Useful as tits on a bull I am afraid.
Some say it is not his fault as he is a mid level civil servant and is protecting his arse. Truth is not many people up this way stand up to the Woodward’s, just too powerful. I do not suffer well those who bow to political or business pressures, I know they are in the majority, no matter, they are sell outs and wimps. An aside to that: When John Hickey was minister for WST he promised us up here that a WST person would be allocated to the Goose Bay dock to overseer loading of the Northern Ranger. It never happened.
And the tankers referenced in that Hansard, most were owned by guess who. Note the snaky way Rideout answered Jones questions; he had them over a barrel there.
I forgot to mention, after that 05 kafuffle Woodward subsequently purchased the Aston off Capt. H and co and got rid of the Nada..
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