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Post by lmtengs on Aug 29, 2012 20:19:21 GMT -8
If it were not before (or one could just say 'after') her refit, one would notice that her car deck windows in the middle would be reduced from three to one. This is either prior to, or during, her refit. When did her refit start? What year did refit start? Her refit started in 2007 and ended in 2009. Her refit started in the year 2007 and ended in the year 2009. ;D |
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Post by Ferryman on Aug 29, 2012 20:27:31 GMT -8
That picture looks like to me that it was around 2004. I think it was the refit in the winter/spring of 2004/5 that the midship car deck windows on the upper car deck were reduced from three to two. The 3/4 life refit didn't begin until winter of 2007, and didn't see service again until Spring of 2009. Also the fact that the outer decks of Deck 6 are lined with davits in addition to the old lifeboats, also indicates it's still very much pre refit. The New West, and V-Class only had one Zodiak. One of the old life boats on all of the original 9 ships was switched out for a zodiak probably in the early 90s or so. Here's a picture of the New West in summer of 2006 that I took. The dates on the bottom right corner of these photos are accurate  Queen of New Westminster by Deck-dog SSI, on Flickr Then here she is again when she first started the 3/4 life refit.  Queen of New Westminster - Beggining of Major Upgrade by Deck-dog SSI, on Flickr |
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Aug 29, 2012 20:29:26 GMT -8
I concur with Chris. My earliest photos of her in 2006 show her with only 2 car deck windows.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2012 20:34:19 GMT -8
Chris U are correct. It was May 22, 2004, 3 years before her refit. Why did they reduce the midship car deck windows to two widows?
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 29, 2012 20:36:51 GMT -8
Chris U are correct. It was May 22, 2004, 3 years before her refit. Why did they reduce the midship car deck windows to two widows? I believe it was due to the fact that there were davits above the windows, and to ease the release of lifeboats/zodiacs from those davits, they removed the windows. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2012 20:43:40 GMT -8
Chris U are correct. It was May 22, 2004, 3 years before her refit. Why did they reduce the midship car deck windows to two widows? I believe it was due to the fact that there were davits above the windows, and to ease the release of lifeboats/zodiacs from those davits, they removed the windows. To make them go safely down to the water and not tear the wood for lifeboats or rip the zodiacs? |
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 29, 2012 20:54:15 GMT -8
I believe it was due to the fact that there were davits above the windows, and to ease the release of lifeboats/zodiacs from those davits, they removed the windows. To make them go safely down to the water and not tear the wood for lifeboats or rip the zodiacs? Essentially. |
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Post by Ferryman on Aug 29, 2012 21:04:02 GMT -8
The reason would have been in case of a major Upper Car Deck Fire and the ship had to be abandoned. You wouldn't want flames licking the life raft as you're being lowered to the water. Fire resistant insulation would have been added behind that window as well most likely.
The standard these days is to have A-60 fire rated bulkheads. Whether or not they used to be A-60 is beyond me, but most bulkheads on the Ferries these days are A-60 rated. This means that the bulkhead, or even some cases, windows/doors having a 60 minute timeframe until the insulation has completely deteriorated due to fire, hopefully allowing enough time to contain the fire to an extent, to safely evacuate everyone without being affected as little as possible by the fire.
Next time you're on say the Nanaimo/Burnaby/New West or even the C-Class, take a walk down the car deck. You'll see sections of the exterior bulkheads re-inforced with insulation, behind what would be evacuation routes over the side of the ship (Chutes, Slides, Rescue Boats). This is also why the C-Class lost most of their Deck windows during their Mid Life refit. The old configuration allowed for safe evacuation with davits and smaller life rafts. Now the evacuation system is completely different, so the ship had to be modified to accomodate the new system for a worst possible scenario
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 1, 2012 19:56:51 GMT -8
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 1, 2012 21:56:37 GMT -8
Wow, that's a beauty, Jim! One of the '100 Best photos of WCF', if we had a thread for that.  |
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Post by Mayne on Sept 2, 2012 8:18:44 GMT -8
That is just a fantastic photo WCK!
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Post by Mike C on Sept 2, 2012 9:36:46 GMT -8
Something worth noting - on Friday, Coastal Skier and I did the 2000/2200 round-trip on the New West, and we unloaded at Berth 2 in Tsawwassen. It was an MCD-only (9%) load, and the overhead walkway was not used.
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 2, 2012 10:16:38 GMT -8
Something worth noting - on Friday, Coastal Skier and I did the 2000/2200 round-trip on the New West, and we unloaded at Berth 2 in Tsawwassen. It was an MCD-only (9%) load, and the overhead walkway was not used. I thought I remember reading here that this is commonplace for that last roundtrip on the New West... |
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Sept 2, 2012 10:42:49 GMT -8
Something worth noting - on Friday, Coastal Skier and I did the 2000/2200 round-trip on the New West, and we unloaded at Berth 2 in Tsawwassen. It was an MCD-only (9%) load, and the overhead walkway was not used. I thought I remember reading here that this is commonplace for that last roundtrip on the New West... This situation occurs on the 2 days each summer when the Spirits are #2 and one of the 3 double-deck berths are closed for maintenance (which has been the last 3 summers...2012-berth 3, 2011-berth 5, 2010-berth 4). When the New West arrives at 2235, the SOBC is tied up at berth 5 and the CI in docked at berth 3. So with a main car deck load, the New West uses berth 2 where the overhead walkway doesn't fit. Of course, if there was traffic on top, the New West would have to wait for the CI to vacate berth 3, then dock and unload, then move to berth 2 for tie-up. This will also happen when the New West does a 2200 sailing from Swartz Bay on Fridays and Sundays and there is no upper car deck traffic. In this case, they could dock at berth 3, then move over for tie-up but that would take extra time and therefore $ What are the odds that summer 2013 will see ALL 5 berths at Tsawwassen in operation?  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 2, 2012 12:03:43 GMT -8
QoNW, seen in the strait on August 30, 2012.   And seen at Tsaswwassen's berth-2, at end of service day.  |
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Post by Mike on Sept 3, 2012 11:57:24 GMT -8
Queen of New Westminster at Tsawwassen Terminal. Arriving as the 10 AM sailing from Swartz Bay:  Departing as the 4 PM sailing from Tsawwwasen: 
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Post by Luke on Sept 10, 2012 19:40:36 GMT -8
I saw the New West can only take 270 vehicles. Is she sufficient to handle route 1?  |
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Sept 10, 2012 19:50:14 GMT -8
I saw the New West can only take 270 vehicles. Is she sufficient to handle route 1? When running during four boat service and when replacing the SoBC for its refit in the off-season, yes. |
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 10, 2012 20:49:16 GMT -8
I saw the New West can only take 270 vehicles. Is she sufficient to handle route 1? When running during four boat service and when replacing the SoBC for its refit in the off-season, yes. I would disagree with Scott, a little, re his response above. The New Westminster is a less than adequate replacement for the SoBC when that vessel is out for its annual refit. Its low vehicle & foot passenger capacity is a problem during busy times in the off-season (i.e. at the start & end of weekends pretty much year round). BCFS's intention to not run any even-hour (extra) sailings during this coming fall & winter would make this a much greater issue. The New Westminster also suffers from a lack of other amenities such as the Pacific Buffet. On the other hand, when the SOBC goes out for its refit this coming winter I fully expect it to be replaced by a Coastal class vessel (likely the Renaissance), as was the case last winter. The Coastal class vehicle & passenger capacity is not much below that of a Spirit, and its amenities are similar. |
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Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 10, 2012 20:51:40 GMT -8
I saw recently on the Travel Centre the Coastal Rennaissance will be replacing the SOBC when she goes out and the Coastal Celebration will be replacing the SOVI and for a little while it will just be the two coastals running route 1.
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Post by Dane on Sept 10, 2012 20:57:31 GMT -8
BC Ferries said in a few venues last year that the CR would redeploy to Route one in the off peak. The Queen of New West, as a result, is essentially a permanent number two. There are not any passenger amenities that come immediately to mind that the NW lacks over the CR, except a proper dog area? Obviously everything on the CR is typically bigger and better, though.
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Post by Neil on Sept 10, 2012 21:06:43 GMT -8
BC Ferries said in a few venues last year that the CR would redeploy to Route one in the off peak. The Queen of New West, as a result, is essentially a permanent number two. There are not any passenger amenities that come immediately to mind that the NW lacks over the CR, except a proper dog area? Obviously everything on the CR is typically bigger and better, though. Although I really like how the 'New Westminster was re-done after her major refit a few years back, she is woefully cramped on route one at busier foot passenger times. Not comfortable to be on. WCK: BC Ferries isn't cutting all even hour sailings on route one. There are still two from each terminal on Fridays and Sundays throught the winter, with more on holiday weekends. |
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 10, 2012 21:09:51 GMT -8
I think you'll end up seeing the New West being used less and less as time goes on. As mentioned, it's shaping up for her to be the permanent Number 2 vessel, or Queen of Alberni relief vessel. So between now and next summer, I wouldn't be surprised to see the New West only being used a small handful (and I mean really small handful) for times. Essentially she'd be layed up for the season I suppose.
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 10, 2012 21:17:14 GMT -8
WCK: BC Ferries isn't cutting all even hour sailings on route one. There are still two from each terminal on Fridays and Sundays throught the winter, with more on holiday weekends. I checked on the BCFS Travel Centre and it indicates that a fair percentage of the even hour Friday & Sunday scheduled sailings are gone. That combined with two Coastals in service results in a significant capacity reduction. |
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Post by hullnumbers on Sept 13, 2012 13:17:08 GMT -8
What has happened to the Queen of New Westminster? on route one currently? Also I'm planning a trip on her does anyone know when and what time I can ride her.
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