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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 31, 2009 19:39:46 GMT -8
I am just back from the trip aboard the WAC'ky eighth sister. It was unreal!. Photos and trip report soonish when I get I come back down to earth. You went a day early, just to get the jump on the rest of us? Well I hope that you left some surprises on board for us to find (like some DOT photos tacked to the bulletin boards). Did you tell the crew to expect a herd of nerds tomorrow? |
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 31, 2009 20:02:18 GMT -8
Yes, that explains why I didn't run into any of you lot. Its not like me to actually be early for something....
The crew knows your coming. They have been forewarned by the QPR crew, it seems.
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Nick
Voyager 
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078 
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Post by Nick on Mar 31, 2009 22:14:43 GMT -8
I'm sooo excited for the trip tomorrow! It's going to be great to be on the 'Richmond as a passenger, rather than cooped up below decks. It's a good thing this falls on my day off this week.
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 31, 2009 22:26:47 GMT -8
I'll be posting a video of the trip tomorrow afternoon when we all get back.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Mar 31, 2009 23:20:46 GMT -8
Mind if I tag along?
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 1, 2009 6:41:21 GMT -8
Ok I know this may get me banned for life but I have a big confession to make. I flew the redeye to YVR late last night. I didn't know until the conflab was over so couldn't tell anyone and didn't have the time to post. But here is the clincher. Landing at YVR I could see the Richmond had slinked into Deas during the darkness and was taking on board parts of the Van and Sandwich. So I had a cab drive me directly there.
As I was standing preparing to take pictures, a gentleman full of decoration (looked like Admirals Bars on his sleeve and Picard on his name tag), approached and said I am sorry you can't take pictures here. I explained that the Richmond was the only one of the sisters I had never been on, not alone ever seen, and I had just flown in from Toronto to celebrate the day with endless ferry sailing. He pondered that for a minute, asked for my camera, and then said follow me.
We got closer and closer and he actually led me on board!! His radio crackled with an urgent call and he left me to explore on my own but kept a hold of my camera. About a half hour later as I was in the aft lounge examining the pictures of the celebreties that had sailed on her in secret, I could feel the engines rumble to life. Through the windows I could see deckhands running everywhere. I figured they were testing some sort equipment or running a drill. All of a sudden there was that V rattle and the ferry started to vibrate. The old girl backed out of the berth so fast and then the Master slammed her into full ahead and we did the marine equivalent of burning rubber.
Apparently, someone on my flight called Global and they were sending a film crew to Deas to finally capture the Richmonds low visability paint scheme. So Admiral Picard ordered the ferry out into the strait. And I am trapped aboard!! What luck!
Apparently we weren't fully refueled and that could throw a damper on the schedule for the day. So please don't hate me folks. I am on the Richmond until after sunset. If the schedule gets screwed up and some of you miss the sailings you were planning to take, I am not to blame. I have a meeting tomorrow back in Toronto and hopefully will make the redeye back later tonight. If we don't all get to hook up there is always next time.
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on Apr 1, 2009 9:46:46 GMT -8
I'm just on my way out the door, see you guys at the QoR's next stop! I'm glad she's doing one of those rare, multi-port stops.  |
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D'Elete BC in NJ
Voyager
Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
Posts: 1,671
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Apr 1, 2009 9:50:38 GMT -8
Well, I am lumbering slowly westward in the Hughes H-4 Hercules though there is some concern about tariffs when we cross the border. Apparently the crew of the Richmond has granted us our request to meet in the secret location, though they insisted on tinkering with the weather generator to spark up some snow and wind. Something about us being the forest among the trees... Here's the one and only image NE and I were allowed to keep, about the best one I've ever seen, If I do say so myself...  I guess we shouldn't have used the flash though... |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 1, 2009 10:56:17 GMT -8
Well, I am lumbering slowly westward in the Hughes H-4 Hercules though there is some concern about tariffs when we cross the border. Apparently the crew of the Richmond has granted us our request to meet in the secret location, though they insisted on tinkering with the weather generator to spark up some snow and wind. Something about us being the forest among the trees... Here's the one and only image NE and I were allowed to keep, about the best one I've ever seen, If I do say so myself... I guess we shouldn't have used the flash though... Of all times to be overexposed! |
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Post by Mike C on Apr 1, 2009 11:38:49 GMT -8
I'm just waiting to load for the 12:55 out of Tsawwassen. She will be arriving in Berth 6 shortly.
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Post by Balfour on Apr 1, 2009 13:39:05 GMT -8
The Dogwood Bar is now open for the day. We are open after the sailings until 2AM.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 1, 2009 15:20:13 GMT -8
The Dogwood Bar is now open for the day. We are open after the sailings until 2AM. After the wine tasting I was at on Monday and floating all day with the bar open, I think I will be a non-imbiber the rest of the day. I don't want my first and last day on the Richmond to be lost in a haze (other than the fog she hides in). |
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 1, 2009 17:23:03 GMT -8
Alright here's my video from today. The weather was beautiful this morning. Since I'm a cheap student these days, I snuck on for free by getting a ride aboard on a Semi truck at Seal Bay. I forgot just how small the car deck was, since she wasn't lifted nor stretched. I can't quite figure out why there's a green hue in some of the interior footage though, it must be due to the nuclear powered engines. Plus I realized after I finished editing the video, that there was a Queen of Prince Rupert map on the wall at one point of the video. The Chief Steward told me that was there because of the QPRs upcomming retirement, and they wanted to keep a piece of the QPR alive. I also had the chance to sound the horn, which turned out to be grooviest horn I've ever heard.
Anyways, enjoy!
Cheers.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 1, 2009 17:39:17 GMT -8
Thanks for being the videographer for today, Chris.
I'd forgotten about the kazzoo-horn on the, and the video captured that sound really well.
It's also interesting how BC Ferries has borrowed various pieces of equipment, furniture and signage from other ships, such as the fire-plan from the QPR. Good to see that our fleet is pretty standardized after all.
Thanks for your great work.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 1, 2009 17:42:36 GMT -8
Thanks for being the videographer for today, Chris. I'd forgotten about the kazzoo-horn on the, and the video captured that sound really well. It's also interesting how BC FAREys has borrowed various pieces of equipment, furniture and signage from other ships, such as the fire-plan from the QPR. Good to see that our fleet is pretty standardized after all. Thanks for your great work. Nice video for sure! But as you can see Chris has hogged the Richmonds horn all day. Time to take him up to the bar and get him too plastered to blow the horn so the rest of us can have a go. |
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 1, 2009 18:00:37 GMT -8
Excellent video, Chris! I love that QoR has Wi-Fi on board, enabling all of you lucky ones to broadcast live from the ship. Thanks to everyone for the continual updates!
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 1, 2009 18:59:25 GMT -8
After carefully studying the QRich design yesterday I have come away with the conclusion that she is a unstretched & unlifted variation of the exquisite Spaulding '8 Sisters' design - half V; half B. What do you all think?
Hey next year what does everyone think of an excursion on the QPR's sister the Queen of Kelsey Bay? Just in case 'Cadmonkey' wants top construct a model, I have, thanks to Mr DOT, a copy of the drawings...
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 1, 2009 20:24:32 GMT -8
Did you notice this drawing pinned on the bulletin board?  It leads us forward to next year's trip... All aboard for the Queen of Kelsey Bay! |
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 1, 2009 20:25:17 GMT -8
After carefully studying the QRich design yesterday I have come away with the conclusion that she is a unstretched & unlifted variation of the exquisite Spaulding '8 Sisters' design - half V; half B. What do you all think? Hey next year what does everyone think of an excursion on the QPR's sister the Queen of Kelsey Bay? Just in case 'Cadmonkey' wants top construct a model, I have, thanks to Mr DOT, a copy of the drawings... The Queen of Richmond is in fact a variant of the V-s and B-s. You're right about her being half and half, because she is stretched, but not lifted, and she also retains a proper bow. Also, one deck is more taken up with staterooms for longer crossings. So, with stern only loading, and the bow being a proper pointed one, you might get a better visual of how she looks by looking at some other Spaulding's that have proper bows on them. |
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on Apr 1, 2009 20:36:10 GMT -8
I'm just checking in, I'm currently being a recluse quartermaster, hiding in the funnel...again. It turns out that I get great internet reception from our satellite-based internet up here. Earlier was quite the gong show: The guys ended up getting Cap'n TOOBAGOOBA plastered in the Dogwood Bar, and then they let him go back to his duties. Bad idea!!! I heard Cap'n TOOBAGOOBA announce on the PA, in a slurring manner, that he was going to blow the horn for no apparent reason. He sounded the whistle, and it kept going for a whole minute. I went down to see what the heck was going on, and I found him drunkenly dangling from the pullcord! Right now, he's sitting in the Master's seat, with a bottle of water, trying to sober up. He managed to mess up the pull cord, so I have to fix it; but after that, I'll be heading to the Dogwood Bar. Jordo Bobo has just radioed me to let me know that a fresh batch of Pacific Dogwood Ale has been brewed...yummm! Nick's also working on his own brew called "Bilge Brew." Brett told me that "only real men drink Bilge Brew."  I'm glad I am of the opposite sex, and don't have to prove my "manliness." I'll stick to my Pacific Dogwood Ale  . |
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Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Mirrlees on Apr 1, 2009 21:06:48 GMT -8
Wow, that was a great day.! I met up with everyone on the 9:13am sailing from Swartz Bay. I admit the rest of the trip is a little foggy, Coastal Skier opened the bar a little early so, I got a head start on the festivites.! The next thing that remember doing tequila shooters with TOOBAGOOBA after we pried him from the video camera and the 10 note Airchime. Someone, I don't remember who, or maybe I was under my own power; anyway, the next time I woke up i was in the head when I saw these weird flashes of light it was Mac taking my picture with my head in the porcelain bus..! By the time that I had somewhat sobered on some really awful coffee we were coming back into Swartz Bay. I tried taking some photos but i found out i had no memory card in the camera..!! Oh well, maybe next year..!!! |
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 1, 2009 21:15:32 GMT -8
As for me... not sure where I am, now, thanks to Dogwood Ale.
Never actually left the ship maybe, but I hope when I finally sober up, I'll find myself in my sleeping accommodations about ship. See you all next trip.
I think did figure out one thing: the Bilge Brew must be the coffee, and the antidote to the Dogwood Ale.
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Apr 1, 2009 21:15:46 GMT -8
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Post by Mike C on Apr 1, 2009 21:47:40 GMT -8
The 'Richie is just getting ready to roll into it's final port of the night before packing it in and heading for an unnamed location; she's early tonight, as she was scheduled to arrive at 11, and we're rolling in to Tsawwassen's Berth 6 right now. Thanks guys for a great day. Great service and great times at the Dogwood; nice and cozy down in the engine room; and party time up on the bridge. At one point I conked out on the life jacket locker on Deck 4 Forward Starboard side, but was effectively awoken by Captain Tooba here leaning on the horn. Forgot extra batteries, so no photos for today... sorry  |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 2, 2009 6:39:45 GMT -8
The 'Richie is just getting ready to roll into it's final port of the night before packing it in and heading for an unnamed location; she's early tonight, as she was scheduled to arrive at 11, and we're rolling in to Tsawwassen's Berth 6 right now. Thanks guys for a great day. Great service and great times at the Dogwood; nice and cozy down in the engine room; and party time up on the bridge. At one point I conked out on the life jacket locker on Deck 4 Forward Starboard side, but was effectively awoken by Captain Tooba here leaning on the horn. Forgot extra batteries, so no photos for today... sorry After all that happened yesterday, I am glad I am home safe. However, I think Vegas for once has a smart approach we should adopt. What happens on the Richmond, should stay on the Richmond.  |
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