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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 1, 2015 19:32:41 GMT -8
As close to running-in-darkness as I've ever gotten for MV Frances Barkley. - this is her starting her Saturday trip from Port Alberni. Just after 8:00am on January 31, 2015: I started my Saturday seeing Frances in the darkness. I ended my Saturday seeing Rose in the darkness. A great day.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 1, 2015 20:23:22 GMT -8
The 'Barkley at the start of her day - January 31, 2015 I like the reflection on her bow rail, on the building on the right-side. The clouds over Mt. Cokley lifted just at the right time.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 3, 2015 18:55:28 GMT -8
Allow me to copy Wett Coast's posting style here: - Here is a photo that I took of the MV Frances Barkley, in Port Alberni. The date: March 27, 2011. There is something significant about this particular photo. Do you know?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 6, 2015 21:52:20 GMT -8
My video of MV Frances Barkley loading and departing Port Alberni. - morning of January 31, 2015
I enjoy filming a ship in low light, with her navigation lights shining and the interior lighting casting a yellow glow.
- check out the mountains in the background, becoming visible at the 1:18 mark
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 17, 2015 16:00:27 GMT -8
The MV Frances Barkley is currently in refit.
The original refit notice was for March 8-23. Some unexpected repairs came up, and she's out for 3 weeks longer.
from the webpage:
I don't know which shipyard is doing the work, but I presume it is Point Hope in Esquimalt.
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Post by Dane on Mar 23, 2015 19:13:08 GMT -8
She is in fact at Point Hope in Victoria West, I believe. I had just been away for a month, but when I got back on March 16th she was there. Will keep my eye out for any interesting activity as I bike by her once or twice a week.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 8, 2015 10:22:10 GMT -8
Another delay in the return of MV Frances Barkley:
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 10, 2015 15:35:49 GMT -8
Here's a 2013 article on a trip aboard MV Frances Barkley. What I really like about it are the stories about the crew. The skipper, Ed Mcdonald, was previously with BC Ferries and was once a master on Queen of the North, and was also master of Queen of Chilliwack (he was the captain featured in the Knowledge Network vignettes about the Discovery Coast ferry) HERE
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Post by Dane on Apr 14, 2015 19:06:17 GMT -8
She was placed back in the water yesterday (Monday). Other than the usual paint and items being sanded and what there was nothing of substance to observe.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 8, 2015 15:59:16 GMT -8
The Frances Barkley return-to-service date has been pushed again.
Now it is no earlier than May 16th, with no definite date of return.
I'm worried for the company, re the double-whammy of refit costs and loss of revenue. I hope that they survive this.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2015 21:48:16 GMT -8
The Frances Barkley return-to-service date has been pushed again. Now it is no earlier than May 16th, with no definite date of return. I'm worried for the company, re the double-whammy of refit costs and loss of revenue. I hope that they survive this. Don't they get BC Ferry funding?
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 9, 2015 8:53:00 GMT -8
The Frances Barkley return-to-service date has been pushed again. Now it is no earlier than May 16th, with no definite date of return. I'm worried for the company, re the double-whammy of refit costs and loss of revenue. I hope that they survive this. Don't they get BC Ferry funding? They have a small contract which provides some revenue, but I think that most of the annual revenue comes from passengers, especially the tourist-season loads.
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Post by westernflyer on May 9, 2015 9:29:36 GMT -8
The Frances Barkley return-to-service date has been pushed again. Now it is no earlier than May 16th, with no definite date of return. I'm worried for the company, re the double-whammy of refit costs and loss of revenue. I hope that they survive this. I've been concerned about this possibility ever since the venerable Lady Rose was disposed of with no replacement. As good a ship as Frances Barkley is, she, like Lady Rose is no spring chicken and unforeseen issues tend to come up more often with a vessel of her age. Best of luck to them, and I hope they get their ship back in operation soon and have a successful summer season.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on May 9, 2015 10:32:58 GMT -8
Does anybody know what the delay is caused by? This is a significant delay at this point... more than what would be caused by some corroded steel that needed replacement.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 9, 2015 12:30:56 GMT -8
Does anybody know what the delay is caused by? This is a significant delay at this point... more than what would be caused by some corroded steel that needed replacement. I haven't heard any specifics. I hope to ride it one day this summer, and I'll ask then about what the issues were.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 24, 2015 7:37:06 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 24, 2015 7:58:33 GMT -8
Good to see the venerable 'Francis Barkley' back in service, although her hull looks like she's been through a battle or two. Must get a trip on her scheduled before she goes the way of the 'Lady Rose'
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 24, 2015 21:00:13 GMT -8
Some of the fabulous scenery seen on a Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday year-round trip from Port Alberni to Kildonan & Bamfield: - September 22, 2015 The start of most trips is with fog in the Alberni valley 20150922_073937 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Looking back through the narrows to China Creek marina/campsite DSC02012 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr The Uchucklesaht Inlet , with the float-homes at Kildonan, is one of the prettiest parts of the trip DSC02026 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr In Barkley Sound, on our way to Bamfield: DSC02044 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Leaving West Bamfield in the early afternoon: . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 25, 2015 9:04:20 GMT -8
Views of Frances Barkley during her run between West and East Bamfields - September 22, 2015 Posing for me DSC02062 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr She has completed her work at East Bamfield (the road side, delivering freight and picking up some West Coast Trail hikers) - headed to the west dock 20150922_125256 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr The payoff for anticipation and placement. I like the angle. 20150922_125313 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr 20150922_125343 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr ------------------ This is maybe the 5th time that I've done this Bamfield trip on MV Frances Barkley, and it's still fun and enjoyable. You meet interesting people, and the scenery of the working coast is always lovely. I'll do it again...
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 27, 2015 11:16:31 GMT -8
I shot video on my recent Frances Barkley trip. Here's the leg from West Bamfield to Port Alberni, in the afternoon of September 22, 2015. It is a great trip to take, to see the working coast and some amazing scenery and wildlife. And the ship has lots of charm too. Company website HERE
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 3, 2015 8:30:45 GMT -8
The Frances Barkley's whistle.
- sounded at Bamfield on September 22, 2015
It needs to take a deep breath before sounding....
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 7, 2015 12:36:31 GMT -8
Here's the morning trip from Port Alberni to Bamfield, on the MV Frances Barkley. - it's a great trip to take (part of a same day return-trip). I highly recommend it.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 9, 2015 7:52:22 GMT -8
It's fun to watch the Frances Barkley work freight, with the swinging boom crane, and ship shifting when the load is moved, and the buzz of activity at the dock.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 29, 2015 11:10:26 GMT -8
MV Frances Barkley on a day-off: Sunday, November 29, 2015 During the off-season, she only works on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. But from Spring to late Summer, she works 6 days a week. And for July-August, it's a 7-day-week operation. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 28, 2016 21:09:02 GMT -8
Here's some photos of the operation of Lady Rose Marine Services Ltd. in Port Alberni, BC. They own and operate the MV Frances Barkley on the Alberni Inlet / Barkley Sound freight/passenger routes. The website is: HERE Photos are from February 27, 2016. ------------------- The Port Alberni office is like a chandler or maritime museum. DSC00754 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Ready for a great day. DSC00758 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Not every business operates where the owner personally sees off the trip, and then meets it again on its return, greeting each passenger personally. But that's how they do business at Lady Rose Marine Services. DSC00830 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr In the late afternoon sun in the Alberni Inlet. DSC01276 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Arrival at Port Alberni at end of day DSC01293 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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