Post by Kahloke on Nov 4, 2010 8:17:31 GMT -8
Nov 1, 2010 20:56:34 GMT -8 @lmtengs said:
For the QoAlberni, when the time comes, build a Super-C without a deck 5, and put the wheelhouses on top instead of at the ends, and a shorter lounge deck than what is currently designed on the Super-Cs.
I fully agree with that one. Maybe they should build 3 "Coastal Lite" vessels, deploying 2 on Rte 30 and one on Rte 3, freeing up Queen of Surrey for Route 2 duties, and possibly allowing the retirement of Queen of Coquitlam. Of course, this would all be at least 15 years from now.
Here are some ideas I have had for the interim fleet replacement plans, albeit with no more basis in reality than anyone else's:
Retiring: Queen of Burnaby & Queen of Nanaimo
Replacement:
3 144-car vessels based on the WSF template, only with a fully enclosed car deck a-la the C-Class vessels (our friend Ferrynut Seattle drew up such a design)
- 2 could be placed on Rte 9 during the summer, then one would be on standby during the off-season
- 1 could serve on Rte 17
- during refit season, the 3rd vessel would be available for duty while one of the others is out for maintenance
--------------------
Retiring: North Island Princess, Quadra Queen II, Tachek, Tenaka
Replacement:
3 50-car vessels similar in layout to Quinitsa or Quinsam, only with higher bulwarks and possibly short bow doors to better cope with rougher weather and more open seas.
- one would replace Tenaka on its route (or possibly Tachek if they do the cable ferry thing at Denman, and replace Tenaka with Tachek before doing a newbuild)
- the second vessel would replace QQII at Port McNeil
- the 3rd vessel would replace North Island Princess (this assumes that BCF abandons the idea of doing the triangle route with Comox, Texada, and Powell River)
--------------------
Retiring: Bowen Queen, Mayne Queen, Powell River Queen, Howe Sound Queen
Replacements:
3 Island Sky type vessels:
- one would replace Capilano at Bowen Island (or Island Sky would go there and the new one would go to Rte 7)
- one would replace Mayne Queen on Rte 5-it would serve alongside Queen of Cumberland
- one would replace Skeena Queen on Rte 4
- Queen of Capilano would replace PRQ at Campbell River
- Skeena Queen would replace Quinsam at Gabriola
- Quinsam would replace HSQ at Rte 6