USCG HH-65 Dolphin

Click Image for full size view. The HH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined, single main rotor, MEDEVAC-capable, Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The HH-65 is known for its Fenestron tail rotor and its autopilot capabilities, which can complete an unaided approach to the water and bring the aircraft into a stable 50' hover, or automatically fly search patterns, an ability which allows the crew to engage in other tasks.

USCG Cutter and Mt. Baker

Click image to view full size. The US Coast Guard currently has fifty-six patrol boats in its Marine Protector-class.

Among their missions are combating smuggling and illegal immigration, and search and rescue. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks many have a homeland security primary mission. Boarding parties can be launched while the vessel is underway, through the cutter's stern launching ramp.

Unknown US Naval Vessel

USS Lincoln

Click image for full size view. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), nicknamed "Abe", is the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier in the United States Navy. She is the second Navy ship named after former president Abraham Lincoln. Her home port is Everett, Washington. She is seen here aproximately 5 miles due south of Race Rocks ecological reserve, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

USS Zephyr

Click image for full size view. USS Zephyr (PC-8) was built as a Cyclone class patrol coastal ship in the United States Navy. As of 8 October 2004 she was transferred to the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Zephyr. The mission of the Patrol Coastal ships is to conduct Maritime Special Operations, to include: maritime interdiction operations, forward presence, escort operations, noncombatant evacuation, foreign internal defense, long-range Special Operations Forces (SOF) insertion/extraction, tactical swimmer operations, reconnaissance, intelligence collection, operational deception and SOF support as required. Operationally, the PC's are capable of accelerating from stop to 35 knots in under three minutes, then move from full ahead to 15 knots astern in 60 seconds. In high-speed, hard-over turns, the ship barely heels as the automatic stabilizers engage.

Virginia class nuclear submarine

Click image for full size view. This Virginia Class US Naval nuclear submarine was photographed in a convoy with two support tugs and two USCG cutters, all seen in other photographs in this section. "Displacing approximately 7,800 tons with a length of 370 feet, Virginia is longer but lighter than the previous Seawolf-class of submarines.The 132-member crew can launch Tomahawk land-attack missiles from 12 vertical launch system tubes and Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes from four 21-inch torpedo tubes. Virginia will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea forces. Other missions Virginia will conduct include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, special forces delivery and support, and mine delivery and minefield mapping.

 

Leviathans of the deep meet at surface

Click mage for large scale view. While on scene with the humpback whale (see the coloured portion) this convoy crept closer and closer coming from Pugent sound and ultimately pulling in to shore somewhere west of Port Angeles.

Virginia class and escort

Click image for full scale view. Large mounted machine guns are in place and manned on the bow of each of these support tugs. Closeups reveal vigilant gunners even though they are passing through the historically peaceful border waters of Juan de Fuca strait, shared by Canada and the US. Perhaps they took offence to my attention on them when there was a humpback whale within 100 yards of their convoy.

Virginia class submariners get some sun

Click image for full size view. There are probably few people who enjoy sitting out in the sun as much as these guys. The towers surrounding them on the conning tower are the Virginia class' version of a periscope. Instead of a traditional periscope these subs have a pair of extendable "photonics masts" outside the pressure hull. Each contains several high-resolution cameras with light-intensification and infrared sensors, an infrared laser rangefinder, and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) array. Signals from the masts' sensors are transmitted through fiber optic data lines through signal processors to the control center.

Pickles in a jar

Click image for full size view. I call these harbour ferries "pickle boats" because they are stubby and green. In this photograph they are pictured doing their Sunday morning synchronized ballet. Not so synchronized this morning however.

Pacific Swift and Princess cruise ship.

Click image to view full size. Princess cruise ships are amongst the largest in the world and this one dwarfs a local tall ship, Pacific Swift, as it lies tied to the jetty in the outer harbour.

pac-swift-and-fog.jpg

Click image to view full size.  From the SALTS website: "The Pacific Swift and the Pacific Grace are owned and operated by the non-profit S.A.L.T.S. Sail and Life Training Society. Homeport for all vessels is Victoria, B.C, Canada. Stoutly built by S.A.L.T.S. using traditional methods, our ships are maintained to a standard exceeding the requirements of Transport Canada and are equipped with the latest navigational and safety features."

Pacific Swift and Passnger sailboat outside harbour

Click image for full size view. The red sailed vessel seen in the distance takes tourists and locals alike on three hour sailing cruises every day all spring, summer and fall. The owner is friendly and I'm sure the trip well worth the 60$ hecharges. Full Transport Canada approved.

Black Hawk helo

Click to view full size image. The West coast of San Juan Island is a political battleground when it comes to the Southern Resident orca, our bread and butter whales in the Victoria whale watching industry. Everyone is concerned about the wellbeing of the orca, none more so than whale watch guides. I wasn't completely surprised when this (reportedly Homeland Security) Black Hawk flew over the whales and ourselves at less than 300 feet, probably taking photos. Whale watch guides can be heavily fined for getting too close to the whales -- too bad governmentofficials can't because aircraft are supposed to stay 1000 feet above the surce where orca are located.

Log carrier and Sea King chopper

Click image to view full size. This log carrier, Sea King helicopter and amazing sky offered themselves up as a unique photograph.

Ocean Odessy port side

Click image for full size view. The Ocean Odyssey is a self-propelled, semi-submersible drilling rig which was rebuilt as a mobile spacecraft launch platform and is currently used by Sea Launch for equatorial Pacific Ocean launches. It works in concert with the Sea Launch Commander assembly and control ship. It was photographed here at anchor in the roads outside Victoria harbour after spending time being repaired at the Esquimalt graving yard after a rocket misfire damaged the platform.

Ocean Odyssey with people on top

Click image for full size view. This shot is useful in assesing the scale of this unique piece of equipment. There are people staning on top of the bridge.

Ocean Odyssey with Glacier

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Ocean Odyessy starboard side

Click image to view full size. In its current form, the Odyssey is 436 feet long and about 220 feet wide, with an empty draft displacement of 30,000 tons, and a submerged draft displacement of 50,600 tons. It has accommodations for 68 crew and launch system personnel — including living, dining, medical and recreation facilities. A large, environmentally-controlled hangar stores the rocket during transit, and then rolls it out and erects it prior to fueling and launch. And one last thing; The likeness to Star Wars AT-AT machines from Empire Strikes back is incredible.

Canada's Snowbirds

Click image to view full size. Officially known as the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or airshow flight demonstration team. They are seen here over Victoria harbour in a brief fly-over.

Halifax Class Patrol Frigate (CAN)

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