|
Post by WettCoast on Feb 27, 2008 18:43:47 GMT -8
I believe that the Upper Arrow Lakes ferry is a one-boat operation except for July & August when the MV Shelter Bay provides a supplementary service. She would also substitute during other times of the year if the MV Galena is pulled out for maintenance. The Galena is a fair bit bigger than the Shelter Bay.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Mar 13, 2008 20:36:48 GMT -8
Spring break ferry trips for the Wet Coast family:
- March 14 NorAd southbound Prince Rupert to Port Hardy - March 19 CR Dep Bay to HSB departing 15:00
Also a possible day trip to Bowen Island sometime later next week.
|
|
|
Post by kev on Mar 16, 2008 15:47:56 GMT -8
hey, just thought i would post that tommorow im gonna be on the 7pm sailing on the CR out of departure bay. spring break!!! thought id make a trip to vancouver. probably be on the 7pm back from HSB on tuesday. EDIT: my trip might be off. i have something else going on now this week... keep posted, il know later on tonight.
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Mar 16, 2008 16:03:13 GMT -8
3pm from Tsawwassen on Friday, I'll return on the Queen of Van from Swartz Bay at 6pm.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 16, 2008 20:00:56 GMT -8
Did a roundtrip this afternoon on the Queen of Saanich 4pm sailing stayed onboard and returned on the 6pm. Got lots of interior photos which was the purpose of going over seeing BC Ferries screwed me over with a tour of the Saanich I was suppose to have a few weeks ago.
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 16, 2008 20:10:50 GMT -8
Did a roundtrip this afternoon on the Queen of Saanich 4pm sailing stayed onboard and returned on the 6pm. Got lots of interior photos which was the purpose of going over seeing BC Ferries screwed me over with a tour of the Saanich I was suppose to have a few weeks ago. So what happened a few weeks ago? Was the vessel just out of service, or did you actually have something special arranged that fell-through?
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 16, 2008 20:49:25 GMT -8
I had been emailing someone from head office and it was arranged to have a tour at Swartz Bay until the Vancouver ended up going out of service for that one roundtrip that one morning which the Saanich had to fill in for. Tour wasent till the afternoon so I dident see why they had to cancel it.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 19, 2008 20:44:54 GMT -8
I am doing a solo trip on the Northern Adventure August 18th on my way up to Alaska. From Prince Rupert I am taking the Alaska Ferry up to Skagway then spending time up there and meeting up with family then driving back. If anyone wants to join me on the Northern Adventure on August 18th Northbound feel free!
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Mar 23, 2008 15:02:40 GMT -8
A venture over to Victoria will be occurring for the Flyer family on March 28th.
Across to SWB on the 11 am, then back on the 5 pm.
|
|
|
Post by Balfour on Apr 11, 2008 9:55:30 GMT -8
With tomorrow's forecasted nice weather, I will be doing a trip on my bike to Gabriola Island. I'll be taking the 10:30 AM Queen of Coquitlam sailing from Horseshoe Bay and the 7PM Coastal Rennaisance sailing from Departure Bay. If anyone wishes to join me or meet up with me at any point tomorrow, just let me know.
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 13, 2008 7:42:59 GMT -8
I might do a Route-2 over-and-back on the C-Renaissance today.
Probably the 3:00pm out of Departure Bay, returning on the 5:00pm from Horseshoe Bay.
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
|
Post by Neil on Apr 15, 2008 13:54:58 GMT -8
It will be the usual routine for me on a solo trip over to Hornby Thursday morning. Wednesday following, a good ferry day, with the Tachek, Kahloke/Klitsa, and the Queens of Tsawwassen, Chilliwack, and Surrey. First time ever for me on the 'Chilliwack.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Apr 16, 2008 20:22:56 GMT -8
The WCK family has booked an Alaska Ferry trip for July. We will take the MV Columbia from Skagway to Ketchikan, leaving Skagway on July 7th. We will arrive in Skagway on the 9th, layover for half a day, and then catch the MV Taku for an overnight trip to Prince Rupert. Any others interested can let me know. Total cost for us with 3 adult fares and one car will be just over $US 1000.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 16, 2008 20:42:53 GMT -8
Cool let me know how the Taku is. I am travelling on the Matanuska on Aug 19th up to Skagway from Prince Rupert. 2 nights onboard. Should be interesting.
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
|
Post by Neil on Apr 24, 2008 14:21:22 GMT -8
Well, did I ever feel like an idiot, on learning that I've spent hundreds of dollars unnecessarily on ferry fares over the years going to Hornby. I had always thought that the books of discount tickets used by frequent travellers had a time limit on them, so I never purchased them. Not so, apparently. BC Ferries' new 'Experience' card, which replaces the old ticket books, is an absolute must for anyone travelling on the routes that have discounts. Return to Hornby, car and driver, was $29 with the card, $47 without. The saving was about $6 Comox to Powell River, and about $11 on the Sunshine Coast routes. Apparently the discounts will be introduced on the major routes later this summer. Five ferries yesterday. Don't know what a ferry hangover is. Could have done more. Felt sorry for the high school kids on Hornby who have such a long day; onto the school bus to meet the 7:30 ferry, and then they arrive back on the island on the 4:30, to be home just before 5. May as well be working. I only counted 13 kids- add that to the 45 who attend elementary school, and you've got less than 60 school aged kids, in a population of a thousand. Doesn't bode well for the future. It was nice having four hours between arriving at Powell River and leaving Saltery Bay, as it gave me a chance to explore the Powell River area. Nice little city- I particularly like the Townsite neighbourhood, which has an old settled feel to it, and lots of regular working class type houses which have been fixed up or restored very tastefully. Nice streetscapes, and the Patricia Theatre is a good example of faux-grande small town movie houses that are fast disappearing in BC. (Courtenay's Palace Theatre burned, and was demolished a few days ago.) I also like some of the small shops along Marine Avenue north of the ferry terminal. Our two Powell River correspondents have never told us too much about what they think about their home town, but I wouldn't mind living there. Then I finally got a chance to see and ride the Queen of Chilliwack, seventeen years after her arrival. If it's possible, the ' Chilliwack is even more butt-ugly 'in person' than in pictures. Obviously designed, at least on the outside, by someone who usually does dredging barges. But I can certainly see why Cadmunkey would want to model her. There's never been anything remotely like the ' Chilliwack on our coast; it's absolutely unique, in a one-eyed-bearded-Chihuahua-with-two-tails kind of way. Nothing about the boat makes sense, visually, from a distance or on board. Smaller than I thought, too, with only five car lanes, and two above. Fairly narrow boat. Nice enough inside, although a crewman did remark that the limited lounge space can get awfully crowded, even on the northern summer route. I took tons of pictures, but probably nothing that people haven't seen, so I probably won't post them. The novelty of riding a strange ferry, and the always magnificent scenery in Jervis Inlet, made the trip pass far too quickly. What a tremendous contrast between the uber-strange ' Chilliwack, and the sensible, clean lines and design of the Queen of Surrey. The 'Surrey, painted and spiffy, seemed so efficient and un-cluttered by comparison. I always thought the Cs very bland, but the contrast between the two boats conclusively proves the superiority of Canadian over European marine design.
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Apr 24, 2008 14:27:33 GMT -8
Once again, the Flyer family will be hitting the Capitol and heading for Victoria this Saturday. Going over on the 9am and looking at returning on either the 5 or the 7pm.
As well: We will also be "Flying" (ha-ha, get it - in case you don't, look at my username) on the Queens of Cowichan and Alberni over to Comox and back, sailings TBA.
|
|
|
Post by Scott on Apr 24, 2008 18:45:52 GMT -8
Neil, did you get up to the Walmart at the top of the hill (in Powell River)? With the exception of that ugly sprawling mall, I agree with your assessment of Powell River. A very nice little town... not an island town but far enough removed from "the rest of the world" to be just like one. I really like the views from the hill in Westview area of the city... and the historic section of town really makes it feel like you're going back in time. As for the Chilliwack, she sure is ugly but very interesting to explore all the nooks and crannies on her. It's ironic that one of the ugliest boats on the coast operates on what are two of the most scenic routes on the coast.
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
|
Post by Neil on Apr 25, 2008 18:48:04 GMT -8
Well... after visiting the WalMart in Courtenay, I can't say the one in Powell River was too high on my 'to do' list. The commercial section of Joyce Avenue isn't one of that town's best points, but, hey, no matter where you are, people gotta shop, so I guess any sizable town has a street that looks a bit like the King George Highway. Can't add much pictorially to what people have already posted, but here are a few of my trademark fuzzy, wierd colour shots. The Klitsa only runs on weekdays. Three of the Tachek: And this is my, ahem, artistic shot. In case you just thought those trees were in the way. One of the early Norwegian captains of the Basto complained about the poor visibility from the bridge, and the shipyard foreman said, "Hey, no problem, we've got a spare wheelhouse section.. we'll just tack it onto the side..." If I were Hillary Clinton, I might tell a tale about bravely standing up in my tiny canoe, trying to get the perfect shot as the mighty Stormaway III bore down on me... but, actually, it wasn't all that dramatic. Heading off to Gambier, with six or seven passengers.
|
|
Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
|
Post by Mill Bay on Apr 25, 2008 21:35:48 GMT -8
As for the Chilliwack, she sure is ugly but very interesting to explore all the nooks and crannies on her. It's ironic that one of the ugliest boats on the coast operates on what are two of the most scenic routes on the coast. John, it actually felt to me like it would be pretty dangerous to explore all those nooks and crannies. And only go on the cardeck if you want to risk permanent hearing loss. It sounds like artillery going off down there while the ship is under way.
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Apr 26, 2008 18:59:59 GMT -8
Well, just got back from Victoria...
Was directed to load and unload via Berth 3 on the Sprits; both the SoBC and SoVI. Now, I'm not a regular Victoria passenger, but is this common?
Also, it would be my guess that the Duke Point-bound vessels were using Berth 4... unless they were using Berth 5 for the day, I dunno.
|
|
|
Post by johnnytindale on Apr 26, 2008 19:44:53 GMT -8
Well, just got back from Victoria... Was directed to load and unload via Berth 3 on the Sprits; both the SoBC and SoVI. Now, I'm not a regular Victoria passenger, but is this common? Also, it would be my guess that the Duke Point-bound vessels were using Berth 4... unless they were using Berth 5 for the day, I dunno. That is very unusual that they weren't using Berth 5 today. In my many trips on Rt 1, I have never seen the Spirits dock anywhere but Berth 5. I know they occassionally close Berth 5 for maintenance, but very rarely.....
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 26, 2008 19:47:01 GMT -8
I dont know what was up with that as I saw on the webcam Swartz Bay traffic was using the Duke Point holding area at Tsawwassen and I saw the SOBC in berth 3! I dont know what that was all about and they are still using berth 3 right now. Anyone know why??
|
|
|
Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 26, 2008 19:48:47 GMT -8
Could it be for preparation of the CI arriving so it has to use berth 5?
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Apr 26, 2008 19:52:49 GMT -8
On the Queen of Vancouver trip we did two weeks ago, the Vancouver was actually using Berth 3 as well. But when we went to Swartz Bay and back, she used Berth 5 again.
This could explain why the Vancouver has been tied up at Berth 1 during the week though, to allow use of Berths 3 and 4, while Berth 5 is out of commision. It could be just maintenance, as I don't think it would be for Coastal widening.
|
|
Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
|
Post by Nick on Apr 26, 2008 20:22:48 GMT -8
Well, I just got back from a little circle trip I did with my parents today. Caught the 10:30 Coastal Renaissance out of Departure Bay, did some general touring about in West Van and Stanley Park, and came home on the 7:00 SOBC. It was my first time on the CR while she is in service, and I have to say I am impressed. I did notice that there are more vibrations when she is underway than what I was expecting, particularly in mode 2. They had deck 5 closed off, and you could access deck 7 via the outside stairs on deck 5 or the employee access at the ends by the Sitka coffee bar and the cafeteria. I spent most of my time on deck 7 as it was a beautiful day. I think that will be my favourite place on the CC when she comes to Swartz Bay. We did some stuff in Vancouver, went to the Aquarium and stuff. At Tsawwassen, where we arrived for the 7:00, we were all surprised to be put into the duke point section of the terminal. A we (my dad and I) were pondering this, I noticed the SOBC pulling into berth 3. I didn't get the chance to ask anybody, so I don't know why they weren't using berth 5. Although, they did still send us up the berth 5 loading ramps (instead of those 2 curvy single lane ramps at berth 3) to the upper vehicle deck. Some photos: more are available here
|
|