Nick
Voyager 
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,080 
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Post by Nick on Oct 31, 2018 12:47:11 GMT -8
Looks like she's got a pretty good hog going on there... 
Already pulling out the evacuation chutes, looks like maybe some prep work for the LNG vents... lots of preliminary stuff. Hope it goes well.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Nov 28, 2018 20:25:12 GMT -8
How far along is MV Spirit of Vancouver Island in her refit? I am asking because their is less updated compared to MV Spirit of British Columbia refit.
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Post by Scott on Dec 20, 2018 23:46:26 GMT -8
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Post by avgeekjoe on Dec 24, 2018 22:09:20 GMT -8
Hope it's a speedy return to service - BC Ferries needs that ship back pronto!
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 28, 2019 9:15:31 GMT -8
Found another drone video, similar to the one we saw last year with the SOBC. In this video they’re highlighting the fact that there are 7 ferries being refitted at once, and also the Arrival of Tallink’s “Baltic Queen”. You’ll see glimpses of the SOVI in drydock side by side with Eckero Lines, MV Finlandia, a ferry that runs between Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland. This video appears to have been taken a few weeks ago because the Finlandia is already back on the run and the SOVI is back along side in the water, according to AIS.
Personal comment: it’s neat for me to see the size comparison between Finlandia and the SOVI. I used to see all of the different Baltic Ferries while I was working aboard a Cruise ship over there a few years ago. The ferries seemed tony compared to the ship I was on, and now the Spirit is even smaller than that!
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Post by Starsteward on Jan 28, 2019 10:20:19 GMT -8
Found another drone video, similar to the one we saw last year with the SOBC. In this video they’re highlighting the fact that there are 7 ferries being refitted at once, and also the Arrival of Tallink’s “Baltic Queen”. You’ll see glimpses of the SOVI in drydock side by side with Eckero Lines, MV Finlandia, a ferry that runs between Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland. This video appears to have been taken a few weeks ago because the Finlandia is already back on the run and the SOVI is back along side in the water, according to AIS. Personal comment: it’s neat for me to see the size comparison between Finlandia and the SOVI. I used to see all of the different Baltic Ferries while I was working aboard a Cruise ship over there a few years ago. The ferries seemed tony compared to the ship I was on, and now the Spirit is even smaller than that! Thanks for posting that video from Remontowa's vast shipyard. The size and capabilities of Remontowa's yard reinforces what small players we really are in Canada. Our major yards in Eastern Canada don't even compare with the capabilities of European yards. (The U.K. is an exception as they have virtually no yards capable of the scope of work being done in continental Europe). I watch a ton of videos of companies' vessels all over the world and I agree that seeing one of our 'major' vessels either being built or undergoing an 'MLU', sharing yard facilities with some of the 'big-boys' is like a youngster being invited to attend an adult party, where 'activities',(some bordering on x-rated), so to speak are witnessed/imbued first-hand. One could forgive any of our larger vessels who have been created or refurbished for returning to our BCFS fleet suffering a wee bit of an inferiority complex. Nonetheless, witnessing the BCFS funnel 'slugs' in proximity with the likes of; 'DFDS Seaways, the big 'G' from Grimaldi Lines, Stena's big 'S', Tallink's cruise ferries et al, makes me wonder what those big boys are saying about that good-looking Canadian kid who represents one of the largest overall ferry fleets in the world. Does anyone have a completion date for 'SOVI's' 'MLU'? and when she'll be set loose on her homeward voyage?. |
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Post by blackshadow on Feb 18, 2019 6:26:27 GMT -8
SOVI is on the move to towards open water. AIS list her on sea trials.
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Post by Scott on Feb 18, 2019 12:51:29 GMT -8
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Post by articulated on Feb 18, 2019 16:58:12 GMT -8
Good news if SoVI is off starting her sea trials. Her sister only began her sea trials on March 21st, so it appears SoVI is running over a month ahead of her sister. If she follows the same schedule, it may be possible for her to return ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend.
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Post by Mike on Feb 19, 2019 9:37:33 GMT -8
What I hope BC Ferries took some of weird aspects of mid life for Spirit of British Columbia and tried some different on Spirit of Vancouver Island such as random set of chairs found on Coastal Class and Cowichan Class, Arbutus Coffee Club less bright and server soft drinks. Was this supposed to make sense? Because it doesn't. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Feb 19, 2019 17:42:50 GMT -8
I hope that BC Ferries fixes some of weird aspects from the mid life on the Spirit of British Columbia, made them look better on the Spirit of Vancouver Island such as random set of chairs found on Coastal Class and Cowichan Class, and make the Arbutus Coffee Club less dark with soft drinks machine installed in it.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Feb 28, 2019 5:34:05 GMT -8
It looks like sea trials are over and the SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND is getting prepared for sea. Her destination sign now shows TENERIFE on Siitech with a preliminarily drafted ETA of 1200 (local time?) on March 7.
Whenever she leaves and you are online watching the ship trackers, she may be seen via the Gdansk cam at:
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Feb 28, 2019 6:02:50 GMT -8
VI's departure is now! The tugs TYTAN and TAURUS are assisting her out.
Cast off! We will timestamp the departure at 0622PST, 28 February 2019.
Turned and on her way out.
Out on the Baltic and at cruising speed.
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tak22
Chief Steward
Posts: 108
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Post by tak22 on Feb 28, 2019 8:41:08 GMT -8
If you're interested, I will again be tracking the Spirit of Vancouver Island on my website at patbaywebcam.com/spiritvi.phpTracking now includes: Voyage KM distance, Speed Knots last/max/avg, wind and weather forecast for current position, and whenever possible I include timelapse videos of the ships going through the Panama Canal. As always, if you have suggestions/requests/ideas for changes, let me know and I'll see what I can do. You can either discuss it here or use my site contact form at Pat Bay Webcam Contact FormPreviously I've tracked the Salish ships (Orca, Eagle, and Raven), The Northern Seawolf, and the Spirit of BC. These transits are on the tracking archive page at patbaywebcam.com/tracking_archive.php tak |
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Feb 28, 2019 15:10:35 GMT -8
As our ship of interest nears Denmark, and if she takes the northern route around the upper part of that country, two more webcams to watch:
Oresund Bridge
Helsingborg
Then, no visual sightings until Tenerife.
Her current location as of the time of this posting:
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Post by mokumoku on Feb 28, 2019 19:24:36 GMT -8
SOVI outbound Gdansk for home 
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Feb 28, 2019 21:22:32 GMT -8
Just past Skanor and nearing the bridge/tunnel. The sun is rising there.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Feb 28, 2019 22:22:34 GMT -8
Here she was passing over the tunnel portion of the Oresund Bridge. Yes, the SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND looks small in these images. I had to include these in this posting as they visually document her passing Denmark and Copenhagen.
We thank the operator of this cam for being a source of these images.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Feb 28, 2019 23:06:46 GMT -8
Now nearing the Helsingborg ferry crossing.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Mar 1, 2019 0:17:15 GMT -8
The SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND has passed by Helsingborg. These images are a little blurry due to being enlarged from a smaller image on the webcam site.
Passing by and making good time so far since leaving Gdansk earlier today our time.
The ferry TYCHO BRAHE is nosing her way out of the tight confines of this harbour. It's a good thing that the double-ended ferry concept was invented!
The TYCHO BRAHE heads out on yet another crossing to Denmark. The SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND will meet familiar fleet mates when she gets home.
These are the last images of the SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND we get to see until she arrives in Tenerife.
She left Gdansk the same way she arrived. In brilliant sunshine and clear skies!!! 
Safe voyage!
We thank the operator of this cam for being a source of these images.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Mar 1, 2019 6:49:18 GMT -8
The SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND has rounded the northern tip of Denmark. She'll be entering the North Sea and will then transit through the English Channel. Then, the "Big Pond" (Atlantic Ocean).
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Post by Starsteward on Mar 1, 2019 10:40:00 GMT -8
God Speed and Fair Winds 'Spirit of Vancouver Island!
There will be a mini crew change in Tenerife.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on Mar 2, 2019 23:12:33 GMT -8
The SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND is anchored off the French community of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue at this hour. She crossed over underwater train tracks earlier this afternoon our time (you know where that is). Could there be a storm out on the Pond?
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Post by mokumoku on Mar 3, 2019 11:01:00 GMT -8
The SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND is anchored off the French community of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue at this hour. She crossed over underwater train tracks earlier this afternoon our time (you know where that is). Could there be a storm out on the Pond?
She is definitely sheltering in the lee of the French Peninsula from the current prevailing 35 to 40 knot winds in way of the Bay of Biscay. She would have to reduce speed well below 10 Knots to reduce "Pounding stresses" on the ship from significant head seas and still would not be very comfortable. When she operates in Canadian waters she is restricted from operating in these kind of conditions as she is not designed for those kind of conditions namely lacking a big tall solid sharp bow. The weather conditions are a huge consideration in returning home safely. check this site for the current surface wind analysis; www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/surface-pressure/#?tab=surfacePressureColour&fcTime=1551600000Also patbaywebcam.com/spiritvi.php , great display for the wind conditions. |
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Post by Starsteward on Mar 3, 2019 18:01:37 GMT -8
Indeed it is very advisable for the 'SOVI' to lay-up out of the nasty conditions currently evident along what appears to be the entire west coast of France and on into the Bay of Biscay which from past experience can be a very nasty piece of business.
Many folks are unaware of the very shallow nature of the Bay, which is quite similar to Queen Charlotte Sound. A shallow body of water needs very little wind blowing from any direction to stir up waves that would be perilous for some vessels in which to navigate.
Best to wait this dance over and proceed when this lot dies down. Better to be behind schedule a few days than meet with calamity.
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