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Post by compdude787 on Jan 12, 2014 22:57:11 GMT -8
Ferry nerds need to keep in mind that there is a shockingly large percentage of the population which doesn't spend hours of leisure time hanging around ferry terminals watching boats come and go, and snapping photos. These unenlightened folks are only concerned with getting from point A to point B, and in their unfocused state, especially if they're not paying attention to announcements or signboards, it's easy to stand around at the wrong boarding point along the foot passenger area at Tsawwassen... hence the need for onboard announcements about destinations. Shame on them, but one can only hope that eventually they'll clue in.
At least once they've bumbled their way onto the correct sailing, Chuck Currie is there to tell them they've picked a great day to sail. I am also interested in maps, and like to look at them a lot so I'm very good at navigating. So, to me, I can't understand how people can get lost so easily, even with a GPS navigation system. I just have to remind myself that most people don't spend their free time looking at maps or poring over a road atlas. So, I just have to cut them some slack since they probably aren't as familiar with where they are. As ferry nerds, we have to cut other people some slack when they do things like ending up at the wrong terminal, just like I have to cut other people some slack when they get lost. It's pretty much the same thing.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2015 16:06:57 GMT -8
During a BCF crossing, can you stay in your vehicles or do you have to go to the passenger deck? I know WSF lets you stay in your car, but European ferry lines often make you go to the passenger deck.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 10, 2015 16:59:25 GMT -8
During a BCF crossing, can you stay in your vehicles or do you have to go to the passenger deck? I know WSF lets you stay in your car, but European ferry lines often make you go to the passenger deck. For most BC Ferries routes, you can stay in your car or go up-decks. The exceptions are open-ocean routes (that's different than "open strait"). Open ocean routes (Inside Passage or Haida Gwaii) have restricted access to car decks, because of open-ocean regulatory issues.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2015 17:53:40 GMT -8
During a BCF crossing, can you stay in your vehicles or do you have to go to the passenger deck? I know WSF lets you stay in your car, but European ferry lines often make you go to the passenger deck. For most BC Ferries routes, you can stay in your car or go up-decks. The exceptions are open-ocean routes (that's different than "open strait"). Open ocean routes (Inside Passage or Haida Gwaii) have restricted access to car decks, because of open-ocean regulatory issues. Thanks for telling me!
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Oct 27, 2015 20:20:14 GMT -8
I plan to travel to Powell River in August next year. Does anybody have any idea how staging/approaching/fare paying works at the terminal in Powell River? I have looked at Google Maps and don't understand the reason for 2 holding lots. If anyone can help me with this, I would appreciate it.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 27, 2015 20:28:07 GMT -8
I plan to travel to Powell River in August next year. Does anybody have any idea how staging/approaching/fare paying works at the terminal in Powell River? I have looked at Google Maps and don't understand the reason for 2 holding lots. If anyone can help me with this, I would appreciate it. There is a staging area outside the toll booths, for backed-up traffic to wait, while the toll booths are backed-up and busy.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Oct 27, 2015 20:34:35 GMT -8
I plan to travel to Powell River in August next year. Does anybody have any idea how staging/approaching/fare paying works at the terminal in Powell River? I have looked at Google Maps and don't understand the reason for 2 holding lots. If anyone can help me with this, I would appreciate it. There is a staging area outside the toll booths, for backed-up traffic to wait, while the toll booths are backed-up and busy. And if it isn't busy, do you just drive into any lane? Are you required to pay traveling back to Comox (Westview) and are reservations required? Sorry for another question, but are there specific lane assignments at Powell River that anyone knows about?
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Post by Kahn_C on Oct 27, 2015 20:50:35 GMT -8
Just drive in, it's pretty clear when you're on the ground looking at it. Reservations rarely, if ever, needed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2015 20:53:07 GMT -8
You pay both sides, Comox and Westview. Ticket agent assigns the lane.
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Post by Curtis on Oct 27, 2015 21:27:48 GMT -8
are there specific lane assignments at Powell River that anyone knows about? I assume you mean the main holding lot for this: Texada traffic is usually staged in lanes 1-5 Comox Traffic is lanes 6-15.
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 1, 2015 22:18:42 GMT -8
Recently on the Facebook page 'British Columbia Nautical History' a photo was posted by Chris Medland (better known here as Chris City ,; also on Flickr). That photo, taken from the Bluffs on Galiano Island, showed a Spirit passing a Coastal, and was originally described as being the C-Cel meeting the SoVI in Active Pass. I said that I doubted that and that the Spirit in the photo was the SoBC. In an enlarged version of the photo it is clear that the vessel is the SoBC. My question to all the members here who keenly watch BC Ferry operations - do you know of any time that two route one vessels based at the same terminal would pass one another while travelling in opposite directions in regular service within Active Pass? Unusual 'meets' could be a theme for a future Flagship 'contest', but we might end up with very few 'entries'.
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Dec 26, 2015 20:07:19 GMT -8
Three questions I've had for awhile regarding on board amenities:
>I noticed the NorEx has a cafeteria called the "Canoe Cafe" in place of a Coastal Cafe. Why? What's so different about the two, and why is the NorEx the only boat with a Canoe Cafe?
>What's the difference between the SeaWest Lounge and the Aurora Lounge?
>Is a snack bar (such as the one aboard the Queen of Cumberland) considered a "Coast Cafe Express" by BCF, or is it just a snack bar?
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 26, 2015 20:28:21 GMT -8
Three questions I've had for awhile regarding on board amenities: >I noticed the NorEx has a cafeteria called the "Canoe Cafe" in place of a Coastal Cafe. Why? What's so different about the two, and why is the NorEx the only boat with a Canoe Cafe? >What's the difference between the SeaWest Lounge and the Aurora Lounge? >Is a snack bar (such as the one aboard the Queen of Cumberland) considered a "Coast Cafe Express" by BCF, or is it just a snack bar? The Northern Expedition is a 'cruise ferry' making full day runs (16 hours long) during the summer season. I believe BC Ferries wants to make it such that this vessel is not just your average ferry. The Aurora Lounge is similar to 'SeaWest' lounges, but is up front near the bow and the only place on board this ship with a forward view. If you want to enjoy that view than you will have to fork out the extra $35 (or is it $40 now?). This lounge is only opened during the summer tourist season. SeaWest lounges on the southern major routes are very easy to ignore. Ferry nerds are not likely to fork out the extra $'s to sit in a SWL, but they just might do so for the Aurora Lounge.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2016 21:44:13 GMT -8
I have a question about foot passenger ticketing cut-off times at Horseshoe Bay. Last night as I was waiting for the bus when a very full 257 arrived AT 17:20 (the cutoff times for the 17:30 to Bowen and Langdale). They had the supervisor saying the usual "anyone to Bowen or Langdale to the front of the line please." Then, at 17:24, a 257 tripper arrived with very few passengers onboard, and they were still selling tickets for Langdale. They suspended sales at 17:25. The Capilano was 10 minutes late (so cutoff would have been at 17:30), so this was only to the benefit of route 3 travellers.
I'm just wondering, is it standard practise to wait for a bus that is a few minutes late, particularly at rush hour? It's worth noting that most Langdale commuters arrive in HSB at 17:05, but there was a good bunch of stragglers, which would have waited until 19:25 had BC Ferries stuck to the ten minute cut-off. It seemed to me like the terminal was using discretion on their part, but I'm wondering if there is a policy for situations like this one.
As for transit, I'm aware that 257 drivers can ask their supervisor to skip the Horseshoe Bay neighbourhood stops if people are at risk of missing a sailing.
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Post by Dane on Jan 19, 2016 21:56:56 GMT -8
I think the 257 is dropping all the HSB community stops on the next sheet or two from now. A bit of an aside, but relevant in these three minute scenarios.
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Post by Starsteward on Jan 20, 2016 9:05:01 GMT -8
Three questions I've had for awhile regarding on board amenities: >I noticed the NorEx has a cafeteria called the "Canoe Cafe" in place of a Coastal Cafe. Why? What's so different about the two, and why is the NorEx the only boat with a Canoe Cafe? >What's the difference between the SeaWest Lounge and the Aurora Lounge? >Is a snack bar (such as the one aboard the Queen of Cumberland) considered a "Coast Cafe Express" by BCF, or is it just a snack bar? The Northern Expedition is a 'cruise ferry' making full day runs (16 hours long) during the summer season. I believe BC Ferries wants to make it such that this vessel is not just your average ferry. The Aurora Lounge is similar to 'SeaWest' lounges, but is up front near the bow and the only place on board this ship with a forward view. If you want to enjoy that view than you will have to fork out the extra $35 (or is it $40 now?). This lounge is only opened during the summer tourist season. SeaWest lounges on the southern major routes are very easy to ignore. Ferry nerds are not likely to fork out the extra $'s to sit in a SWL, but they just might do so for the Aurora Lounge. Given the sky high fares charged on Route 10, I'm disgusted that BC Ferries needs to squeeze a few more bucks out of the 'SeaWest' Lounge when it's opened to passengers in the SUMMER only! Says bundles about what BC Ferries thinks of providing 'cruise ferry' amenities to 'shoulder' and 'winter' passengers. Oh, maybe that's because most of the folks that travel in those periods are mainly locals and why do anything to promote the beauty of the inside passage to locals eh?
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Apr 6, 2016 21:12:32 GMT -8
I'm curious;
Approximately how much money does each route make/lose per year? I'm especially curious as to the figures for routes 10 and 11, though I'd like to know the figures for all of them. Just something I'm curious about...
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Apr 6, 2016 22:16:57 GMT -8
I'm curious; Approximately how much money does each route make/lose per year? I'm especially curious as to the figures for routes 10 and 11, though I'd like to know the figures for all of them. Just something I'm curious about... Very easy for anyone to find out about- go to their website and look at the annual reports. I do it often.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 7, 2016 5:48:40 GMT -8
I'm curious; Approximately how much money does each route make/lose per year? I'm especially curious as to the figures for routes 10 and 11, though I'd like to know the figures for all of them. Just something I'm curious about... Very easy for anyone to find out about- go to their website and look at the annual reports. I do it often. The question re: balance sheet for routes 10 and 11 just reminded me that one of these days I must get off my lazy butt and do some digging into the (profitability)? of the entity known as BC Ferries Vacations. To begin with, I can't imagine the rent is cheap down at the foot of Burrard St. Is BC Ferries vacations a good generator of income and are their profit/losses figured into the overall bottom line with BC Ferries? Just a few questions I'd like to get into.
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Post by roeco on Apr 7, 2016 7:00:17 GMT -8
The New BC Ferries connector bus operated by Wilsons...I would assume they are required to operate bus on a minimum number of sailings during the summer May 1 - Sept 30 plus a minimum for off season/Christmas/etc. But does BC Ferries get a fee for them operating the service. And I wonder who else bid on the contract when PCL gave it up??
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Post by Dane on Apr 14, 2016 6:20:41 GMT -8
Yes to a "fee" but I've got no idea what it is. A better descriptor may be a service agreement between the two entities (and the Province for the route's regulation).
And two bidders in the last contract update - PCL and Wilson's.
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Post by Kather Anne on May 3, 2016 19:00:10 GMT -8
And on Facebook... |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on May 3, 2016 21:24:06 GMT -8
I never make this stuff up
Maybe BC Ferries has some sort of maritime 'bot that puts out their facts, trivia, and service notices. That would explain this error, and other stuff, like their apology for putting a bigger than ever ferry on the Hornby run. Oh, the 'inconvenience' of knowing that you'll never miss a sailing on your way home.
I was actually pondering anchors today as I noted the one on the BS Con... thinking that it actually made the thing seem more like an actual ship. I wondered if it would ever be used.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on May 10, 2016 12:22:02 GMT -8
Is there any reason why the Rennie is replacing the SOVI yesterday and today?? And not the Celebration? She was doing the extra sailings yesterday!
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Post by YoursTruly on Jan 12, 2017 1:55:19 GMT -8
Here's a question for you: I remember as a little kid as we were offloading in berth 2 or 3 Swartz bay seeing to my left (towards berth 3 4 5) an open vehicle decked ferry with bow visors in an upright position which created an almost full hoop in the air. This was back when there was the blue and red stripe colour scheme and most likely the expo insignia. Does anyone know which vessel this may have been? Pictures?
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