QUEEN OF NANAIMO - Photos & Discussion

[Mike]

Queen of Nanaimo arriving at Tsawwassen on a warm June evening.

M/V Queen of Nanaimo arriving at Tsawwassen, Berth 2 by Michael, on Flickr

[PNW_ferrynerd]

Does BCF's sell there ferries like WSF, or do they keep it for storage?

[Low Light Mike]

Apr 30, 2018 13:02:19 GMT -8 PNW_ferrynerd said:

Does BCF's sell there ferries like WSF, or do they keep it for storage?

Sale, usually at an auction to highest bidder.

[Ferryman]

The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire......at least on the MV Seahorse it won't. The BC Coat of Arms from the Nanaimo lives on.

Spendor Sine Occasu by Deck-dog SSI, on Flickr

[Starsteward]

Perhaps we could have 'Ferryman' fill us in on the back story as to how this mighty little tug boat inherited the 'Nanny's' Provincial coat of arms?

[Ferryman]

May 20, 2018 7:55:38 GMT -8 Starsteward said:

Perhaps we could have 'Ferryman' fill us in on the back story as to how this mighty little tug boat inherited the 'Nanny's' Provincial coat of arms?

Without getting into too many specifics....it’s all about who you know in the marine industry.

I’m just thankfull that little things like this were salvaged before she headed overseas.

[Scott]

Quite the close call...

Rough Weather, Strong Waves Turn Lomaiviti Princess V Back To Savusavu

by MARIA LAQETA
July 04

Passengers on board the unsteady Lomaiviti Princess V at the height of rough seas outside Savusavu ikened the experience to the sinking Titanic movie.

University of the South Pacific student Sailasa Regunamada, 23, was one of the 300 passengers on board Lomaiviti Princess V when rough seas and hard hitting waves swayed the vessel 200 metres away from the Savusavu lighthouse on Monday night.

“It was a terrifying experience, children, women and everyone just lost their balance. It was scary to be out at sea with strong winds blowing and seas developing into mountains of water,” Mr Regunamada said.

“It was like the Titanic movie, luckily we could still see the Savusavu lights though we were out in the open sea. If anything drastic was to happen we could at least swim towards it,” he said.

The USP Bachelor of Science year one student had boarded the ship from the Taveuni wharf earlier in the day where they had also encountered strong winds and rough seas.

“Soon after leaving Savusavu wharf, the seas were rough and the winds were blowing fiercely,” he said.

“While having dinner with my friends, I saw people were struggling to walk steadily, people were bumping each other and food was scattered everywhere.”

While sheltering at Savusavu on Monday he was able to pay his USP arrears at the Savusavu branch.

Lomaiviti Princess V, had to return to Savusavu on Sunday night after the vessel started taking in water .

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, confirmed that a door on the lower deck opened due to big and strong waves damaging a few vehicles but no casualties were recorded.

The vessel re-scheduled its trip to Monday.

A Fiji Meteorological Service Nadi officer, who wished not to be named, said yesterday that there was a strong wind warning forecast for Fiji for Sunday and Monday.

“There was an issue of a strong wind warning for all Rotuma and the Fiji group, public and mariners,” the Nadi Meteorological officer said.

“For boat and passengers movement, to go or not to go was their own choice,” he said.

Jale Kelepi, 35, a 10-wheeler logging driver of the Garden Island Root Crops Company Limited in Suva considered himself blessed after arriving in Suva safely.

“We left Savusavu wharf at 8pm on Sunday, about 200meters away from the Savusavu lighthouse, we encountered rough seas,” Mr Kelepi said.

Mr Kelepi still in shock from the experience was not sure what to do, when he heard seafarers calling drivers to check their vehicles on the deck of the vessel.

“From where I was standing, water level nearly reached my knee, I saw trucks and cars not chained swaying from side to side,” he said.

He said his 10-wheeler truck was okay because it was chained to the wall of the vessel.

“It was then when we were advised that we were returning to Savusavu wharf because of the weather condition; I felt sorry for the passengers who were crying and pleading for life,” he said.

Because of the delay of the Goundar shipping schedule, Kelepi’s delivering the supply to its destiny was late. Luckily things were sorted out after making calls to his office.

GSS managing director George Goundar confirmed that the 300 passengers have arrived safely yesterday at Port Mua-i-Walu as scheduled at 6am.

“We paid for all their meals while they waited at Savusavu,” Mr Goundar said.

© 2018 Sun (Fiji) News Limited.. All Rights reserved.

fijisun.com.fj/2018/07/04/rough-weather-strong-waves-turn-lomaiviti-princess-v-back-to-savusavu

[Neil]

I hope that some forum members who expressed delight that the Queen of Nanaimo had found a new career will note Scott's post above, in this thread. It sounds like a bow door failed, which was precisely what sent the Estonia to the bottom, at the cost of 800 lives.

This is not a vessel that has any business plying the open Pacific... nor does the former Queen of Prince Rupert or Queen of Chilliwack. We're sending our worn out, obsolete, sheltered waters vessels to a third world country that can't afford better. Hundreds of lives could hang in the balance, and I just hope the obvious dangers never come to fruition. 

[northwesterner]

Jul 7, 2018 18:01:25 GMT -8 Neil said:

I hope that some forum members who expressed delight that the Queen of Nanaimo had found a new career will note Scott's post above, in this thread. It sounds like a bow door failed, which was precisely what sent the Estonia to the bottom, at the cost of 800 lives.

This is not a vessel that has any business plying the open Pacific... nor does the former Queen of Prince Rupert or Queen of Chilliwack. We're sending our worn out, obsolete, sheltered waters vessels to a third world country that can't afford better. Hundreds of lives could hang in the balance, and I just hope the obvious dangers never come to fruition. 

Of the three vessels that Gounder has purchased from BCF, Queen of Nanaimo is certainly the least suited to this type of work. It was only a matter of time before this happened.

I don't like the situation at all.

That being said, these well maintained but elderly BCF retirees are, as I've noted before, a huge upgrade over what the next best option would be. Maritime transport in developing countries is never pretty.

[nannyman]

Seeing anyone could supply details on the propellers that were utilized on the Nanaimo or the Burnaby?
Eg. Proper diameter and approx weight. Trying to determie how big were they.
Also, if anyone has any pictures of her in drydock showcasing her propellers? please pm me. Thanks!

[gnaz]

Jul 11, 2018 21:25:50 GMT -8 nannyman said:

Seeing anyone could supply details on the propellers that were utilized on the Nanaimo or the Burnaby?
Eg. Proper diameter and approx weight. Trying to determie how big were they.
Also, if anyone has any pictures of her in drydock showcasing her propellers? please pm me. Thanks!

Go to www.pbase.com/kstapleton/queen_of_nanaimo 

Some great photos there.

[Ferryman]

"Island Hopping on a Sea Princess"

FIJI Times article:

www.fijitimes.com/island-hopping-on-a-sea-princess/

[Low Light Mike]

Oct 16, 2018 21:07:47 GMT -8 Ferryman said:

"Island Hopping on a Sea Princess"

FIJI Times article:

www.fijitimes.com/island-hopping-on-a-sea-princess/

I love this quote, about the ex Queen of Nanaimo:

Being a former luxury river cruise ship from Canada, the interior design and decor of this $2.5 million vessel, the largest and most prestigious in Goundar Shipping’s fleet, boasts passenger facilities that speak the language of extravagance and relaxation.

I have experienced that extravagance while cruising the rivers of Active Pass. Relaxation too, especially on a busy long-weekend sailing.



and this one too

For toilet facilities, you get to use the best in inter-island heads outfitted with neat cubicles, urinals, wall mirrors and hand-sensitive wash basins.

When on Route-9, I always felt like the heads were the best....ever.

[Neil]

"Five star", Mike. You missed that one.

I've made my point in the past about the advisability of sending a sheltered waters vessel to a third world country that can't afford better, so I won'y belabour that point.

Well, maybe I just have.

But do even the most ardent ferry fans have any enthusiasm for the notion of spending eighteen hours on the ex-'Nanaimo as she wallows across the open Pacific?

Oh... of course they do. Even if those seats in the luxurious 'salon' can't fold down, and previously posted photos show tired travellers stretching out on any patch of floor they can commandeer. The article doesn't say if the voyage is overnight.

Maybe, in tropical Fiji, Goundar has managed to source urinal cakes that smell like mango, after which you can wash your hands in those magical sinks.

[WettCoast]

Oct 16, 2018 21:31:58 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Oct 16, 2018 21:07:47 GMT -8 Ferryman said:

I love this quote, about the ex Queen of Nanaimo:

Being a former luxury river cruise ship from Canada, the interior design and decor of this $2.5 million vessel, the largest and most prestigious in Goundar Shipping’s fleet, boasts passenger facilities that speak the language of extravagance and relaxation.

I have experienced that extravagance while cruising the rivers of Active Pass. Relaxation too, especially on a busy long-weekend sailing.



and this one too

For toilet facilities, you get to use the best in inter-island heads outfitted with neat cubicles, urinals, wall mirrors and hand-sensitive wash basins.

When on Route-9, I always felt like the heads were the best....ever.

This article (Fiji Times) makes it perfectly clear to me that when we replaced the Nanaimo with those Salish boats we most definitely went from a Cadillac to a Volkswagen.  Is it too late to undo this mistake?

---

Just to see how lovely a luxurious Fijian cruise aboard the LP5 can be, go back one page in this thread & look for a link to a Fijian Sun article posted on December 24th.  Have a look at the photos posted there.  Luxury indeed!

[yak]

Oct 16, 2018 21:07:47 GMT -8 Ferryman said:

"Island Hopping on a Sea Princess"

FIJI Times article:

www.fijitimes.com/island-hopping-on-a-sea-princess/

Thanks for the link Chris; we had a good time reading through it onboard the Raven last night.  I have very fond memories of the Nanny but to say she ever "spoke the language of extravagance" may be a bit of a stretch...

[Charles]

A new news article from Fiji...

Local shipping magnate George Goundar is away for three weeks to shop for an­other vessel while four of his vessels have been advertised for sale.

Senior Master of the Goundar Shipping Limited fleet Captain Inoke Ratotodro has confirmed company managing director Mr Goundar’s trip and its purpose.

Captain Ratotodro confirmed that four of Goundar Shipping Limited’s vessels although have been advertised for sale were still in op­eration.



Vessels on sale include Lomaiviti Princess II, III, IV and V.

Mr Goundar had said last month that he would be shopping overseas for another ves­sel.

Captain Ratotodro confirmed on Monday that of the three vessels put up for sale one is berthed in Suva for staffing reasons.

“Lomaiviti III is in port because there are not enough crew members to operate it,” Mr Ratotodro said.

“While they are been put up for sale they are still in operation,” he said.

Lomaiviti III services Savusavu and Koro Island,

“Lomaiviti Princess II is leaving tomorrow (yesterday) for Vanuabalavu, Cicia for the Lau franchise run facilitated by Government,” he said on Monday.

“Lomaiviti Princess IV is at Taveuni for the daily Taveuni to Natuvu run.

“Lomaiviti Princess V does the Suva to Savusavu trip and return twice a week.”

Lomaiviti Princess V departs for Savusavu on Mondays and returns on Fridays. It again leaves on Fridays and returns early Monday mornings.

The $2.5 million Lomaiviti Princess V was purchased last year. It is the biggest inter-is­land vessel in Fiji with five-star facilities on board.

From fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/31/goundars-four-vessels-on-sale-still-operating-shops-for-another/

Could he possibly be selling the ex Nanaimo already or is this just a poorly worded or even incorrect article by Fijisun? It would be quite strange to sell the Nanny only a year later after acquiring it:

[Mike]

Queen of Nanaimo backing away from the terminal at Sturdies Bay, on a warm summer evening. June 20, 2014.

M/V Queen of Nanaimo departing Sturdies Bay by Michael, on Flickr

[Ferryman]

Although she is sailing in a completely different part of the world under a different name, her Bell from the Port Side Bridge wing is at least proudly displayed within the office at Long Harbour.

Love live the Queen!

flic.kr/p/2cnbe1g

[yak]

Dec 23, 2018 21:06:49 GMT -8 Ferryman said:

Although she is sailing in a completely different part of the world under a different name, her Bell from the Port Side Bridge wing is at least proudly displayed within the office at Long Harbour.

Love live the Queen!

flic.kr/p/2cnbe1g

Good to see it ended up where it should have...
There was a bit of a "special mission" on the last trip from Tsawwassen to Deas to ensure it ended up in the right hands...

[Mike]

Queen of Nanaimo in the strait, headed for the Gulf Islands on a warm September evening in 2016.

M/V Queen of Nanaimo - Georgia Strait by Michael, on Flickr

[Mike]

A freshly repainted Queen of Nanaimo backs away from the terminal at Tsawwassen. April 27, 2014.

M/V Queen of Nanaimo - Tsawwassen Terminal by Michael, on Flickr

[p44]

Does anybody know what happened to the open lifeboats that were removed around 1990? Were they auctioned off or scrapped? I would also like to know anything about their design and handling characteristics etc. Thanks!

[westernflyer]

Feb 15, 2020 0:39:30 GMT -8 p44 said:

Does anybody know what happened to the open lifeboats that were removed around 1990? Were they auctioned off or scrapped? I would also like to know anything about their design and handling characteristics etc. Thanks!

One of QoN's lifeboats did show up for sale on Craigslist about a year ago.  It was in rough shape but probably repairable.

[Ferryman]

So long to the ex Queen of Nanaimo, for good.

fijisun.com.fj/2020/06/11/goundar-sells-ships-as-scrap/