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Jan 8, 2010, 1:18pm

West Coast Ferries Forum :: Ferry Discussion :: Other "BC" ferries :: New Seabus

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Topic: New Seabus (Read 4,765 times)

P_Keenleyside
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #100 on Oct 9, 2009, 9:50pm »

Basedon navigation calculations and charting, a log of the Burrard Pacific Breeze's repositioning cruise from Victoria to Vancouver:

Burrard Pacific Breeze left Esquimalt at 0722, sailing out at 12 knots. She then had Beacon Hill Park on the port hand at approximatly 0730.

Leaving Victoria harbour she had Trial Island on the port hand at 0754, her speed was 15 knots. She headed north along Haro Strait and entered Swanson Channel at 0930, her speed being 13 knots.

She sailed through the Gulf Islands, having North Pender Island on her starboard hand at 1000. She was still holding at 13 knots.

She later entered Active Pass having Helen Point on the starboard hand at 1017. She reduced speed to 11 knots while navigating the channel (there were no other vessels in Active Pass at the time of her transit).

At 1031, she exited Active Pass and had Georgina Point Light Mayne Island) on her starboard hand. Ahead at 20 degrees to port was the Coastal Celebration, steaming south towards Swartz Bay.

Once out of Active Pass, she changed course for a heading of 353 degrees. She changed ends, to test the opposite engines, and steamed along using the opposite engines for about 10 minutes.

She changed ends again (original stern end) for 7 minutes, and changed ends again steaming at 13 knots in that configuration for about 20 minutes, ending at 1110.

She was off Sand Heads at 1143. She then passed by YVR at 1210, and had Point Grey on the starboard hand at 1232, still keeping a steady 13 knots.

She was off the Point Grey Bell Buoy (off Spanish Banks) at approximately 1243, still keeping to 13 knots.

The Burrard Pacific Breeze approached Prospect Point at 1305, cutting speed to 7.3 knots to navigate First Narrows.

She then had Brockton Point on the starboard hand at 1314, from whic she went directly offshore from the North Vancouver Seabus Terminal, arriving there at approximatly 1320.

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Coastal Skier
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #101 on Nov 4, 2009, 10:18pm »

Some action this morning spotted on my commute downtown... The Burrard Pacific Breeze has been out and about. Today she was doing some crew training with the Life saving equipment.

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nickfro
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #102 on Dec 19, 2009, 7:57pm »

I haven't manged to hear any snippits about when the Burrard Pacific Breeze is scheduled to enter revenue service. However, a friend of mine told me that a family member rode it en route to work one morning. Being not too sure about this person's credibility, I wonder if they in fact have thrown the BPB in for some MD-like sailings (aka subbing in for a little bit). Definitely makes sense to before announcing its full time deployment to the route.

« Last Edit: Dec 19, 2009, 7:58pm by nickfro »

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Scott
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #103 on Dec 19, 2009, 8:49pm »

Dec 19, 2009, 7:57pm, nickfro wrote:

The BPB has done at least one soft sailing. One of our members was fortunate enough to ride on it last Sunday, but apparently had to sign a waiver in order to get on it.

BPB will be officially launched on Wednesday, December 23 at 10:00 AM. After the private launch ceremony, the ship will offically enter service.

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P_Keenleyside
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #104 on Dec 19, 2009, 9:48pm »

Dec 19, 2009, 8:49pm, Scott wrote:

Dec 19, 2009, 7:57pm, nickfro wrote:

Excellent. Will have to snag a day tocket and go for a sail each
way. Plus vessel placements for filming. A special film presentation
(much easier than the challenging filming done this year).

Wednesday to Friday are dead days anyway.

Missed the inaugural sail of the Northern Expedition. Too much in
helping MLA friend get re-elected and not enough for doing it for
him.

Damb politics...

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Flugel Horn
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #105 on Dec 24, 2009, 7:04am »

CTV News story about running only 2 Sea-buses after the Olympics:

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local....ishColumbiaHome

Link includes a video.

Teaser:

Quote:

The MV Burrard Pacific Breeze joins the MV Burrard Otter and MV Burrard Beaver, providing extra service during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

But after the Games are over, the three-ferry operation will be reduced again to two.

One of the two older vessels - which are more than 30 years old -- will be retired, and the other one will be upgraded, officials say.

TransLink's original plan was to have three SeaBus ferries in operation by 2011 but that idea has been shelved for now due to lack of funding.

Richard Walton, mayor of North Vancouver, told CTV News Wednesday he's disappointed. Having three ferries would've meant service every 10 minutes instead of the current 15 minutes.

« Last Edit: Dec 24, 2009, 7:07am by Flugel Horn »

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John H
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #106 on Dec 24, 2009, 7:34am »

Did anyone manage to catch a trip on the first day yesterday?

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P_Keenleyside
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #107 on Dec 24, 2009, 9:03am »

Yes. Went aboard from North Vancouver to downtown at about 11.00 AM. Got filming aboard the new Seabus and also from shore locations at both North Vancouver and downtown.

Filming processed later today.

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Coastal Skier
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #108 on Dec 24, 2009, 9:36am »

I was on the first Sailing as well...

She's much quieter than the Otter and the Beaver and she goes faster. My only criticism is the smaller front windows...

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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #109 on Dec 24, 2009, 4:20pm »

I was on her for her first sailing yesterday, and I must say, I'm mildly disappointed as to the lack of ferry enthusiast turnout.

She is indeed a very nice boat. She feels a little coastalized, with much more comfortable seats and nice new carpet. The vessel's interior is much more open and easier to move about in, and thus have allowed far more places for passengers to take a seat.

The interior is lacking some natural light, however - most took note of the small windows (or lack thereof), and feels more like a bus rather than a genuine boat.

It's powered by a Detroit Series 60 engine, which means it's much quieter while leaving the dock and underway, and much faster in moving across the water. Vibrations are minimal, and it handles waves very well.

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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #110 on Dec 24, 2009, 6:59pm »

I'm semi-surprised we didn't get more notice of her entry into service.
I Just finished watching the video. She does look impressive, the visuals they have of her in daylight make her look quite dynamic on the waterfront.

Dec 24, 2009, 4:20pm, NewFlyer wrote:

The interior is lacking some natural light, however - most took note of the small windows (or lack thereof)

I see what you mean. Judging by the footage, it looks similar to the forward view you get from her shipyard relative, MV Island Sky.

I'm also rather appalled to hear that time could be short for either the Otter or Beaver. Why retire one? Why not keep one around for supplementary service at peak times? The Olympics can't be the only thing that will see tons of Seabus users move between Downtown and North-Van.

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P_Keenleyside
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #111 on Dec 26, 2009, 3:04pm »

New Seabus (Pacific Burrard Breeze) inaugural sail video
(click on access plate):

http://www.bchwys.ca/BPB/

Enjoy

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Dane
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Re: New Seabus
« Reply #112 on Dec 27, 2009, 1:42am »

Dec 24, 2009, 6:59pm, Ship-Rider 16 wrote:

I'm also rather appalled to hear that time could be short for either the Otter or Beaver. Why retire one? Why not keep one around for supplementary service at peak times? The Olympics can't be the only thing that will see tons of Seabus users move between Downtown and North-Van.

Translink's current budget essentially only allows for maintenance of the status quo, which is two Sea Buses. Just "keeping a Sea Bus around" is a multi-million dollar a year proposal. If you think BCF is a money loser you should see the SeaBus stats!

Currently the Sea Buses are operating nearly pass up free every day of the year. The addition of a third Sea Bus would have allowed "main" North Vancouver bus routes to switch to a 10 minute headway (229, 230, and 239 already is) which presumably would grow ridership, which in turn would justify the existence of the third Sea Bus.

Immediately prior to TL's budget crunch technical assessments found that the Sea Buses would require a very pricey refit to keep them in service for an extended period of time. This in itself wasn't problematic until TL essentially "ran out of money," and is currently raising some taxes and tariffs just to maintain current service levels with no meaningful service improvements.

When greener financial pastures appear I believe (and it is a somewhat educated belief) that two new Sea Buses will be among the top priorities.

Somewhat related is TL's recent acquisition (or near acquisition, is a more appropriate label) of land to expand North Van's bus garage, which makes 10 minute headways more attainable for a few routes. Currently a lot of North Van's buses come from Burnaby, across the Iron Worker's Memorial bridge.

« Last Edit: Dec 27, 2009, 1:43am by Dane »

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