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Post by Starsteward on Feb 2, 2015 14:58:03 GMT -8
Is she going to be provided with new amenities like a solarium on her outer deck? Unfortunately with times being so tough at BC Ferries, I believe any addition of a solarium is totally out of the question! Rumour has it that the total refurbishment budget is restricted to the addition of one (1) potable water fountain/tap with an accompanying plastic cup holder for increased passenger convenience should they not wish to be seen 'slurping' water directly from the fountain. Also included in the budget, there is provision for one (1) additional snack food vending machine, this model apparently able to dispense change, thus eliminating the need for our overseas guests to use only the necessary coinage for any chosen product. Now that's class! EH?
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 2, 2015 15:18:03 GMT -8
I think they should replace the Nimpkish on this route with let's say the Chilliwack! Seeing she is not being used they should be using her and not a boat with no amenities!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 15:25:53 GMT -8
Warning - Photo Heavy.Good afternoon! The Nimpkish made an appearance in Horseshoe Bay today, to drop off some crew vehicles. As I type this she should be nearing Allied Shipyards. I arrived in Horseshoe Bay at about 1240, with the Nimpkish coming in sight at about 1300, but not getting into the dock until 1430. Once the major vessels left, they hung out right next to where I was, and waited for the Bowen Queen to depart. The Captain on the Bowen Queen made an announcement explaining why this ferry was here. I was positioned on the Sewell's breakwater to catch all the action. Here's the first five of ten photos I've narrowed down for you guys. The reason why I'm posting so many will be explained in the second post. First photo, well outside the bay. She went off to wait in Copper Cove to allow the other vessels to arrive and depart. Later on, coming into the bay: M/V Nimpkish in Horseshoe Bay by Howe Sound Ferries, on Flickr Right up close:
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 15:29:21 GMT -8
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Post by Kahn_C on Apr 16, 2015 15:39:45 GMT -8
Well that's certainly something you don't see every day; good timing, great pics.
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Apr 16, 2015 17:56:29 GMT -8
She docked stern to... I wonder how they managed that, given her stern ramp? I'm surprised Horseshoe Bay can even berth a vessel that small.
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Post by Kahn_C on Apr 16, 2015 20:11:10 GMT -8
My guess would be they lowered her stern ramp onto the dock ramp, the railings would make it hard to do the other way. Dock ramp probably also wouldn't fit on her bow.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2015 8:21:00 GMT -8
My guess would be they lowered her stern ramp onto the dock ramp, the railings would make it hard to do the other way. Dock ramp probably also wouldn't fit on her bow. I think it was actually shore ramp onto ship ramp. There isn't really a gap on the ship for the shore ramp to rest on. I think the main reason for going stern-to was aside from the fact the cars were facing the stern, the ramp probably couldn't go onto the raised bow.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 17, 2015 8:56:46 GMT -8
The shore apron hydaulics aren't designed to support the weight of the apron and the weight of a car at the same time. In normal operations when the apron is on the deck of a ferry, the apron hydraulics are put into a "float" mode, where the hydraulics are enabled to let the apron to float up and down naturally with the ship. I would imgine that the Nimpkish ramp railings can be easily removed, but I can't say for sure because I don't know. But I just have a really hard time believing they would place the Nimpkish ramp on to the shore apron. Very bizarre seeing the Nimpkish there though.
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 17, 2015 9:09:36 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 18, 2015 7:37:39 GMT -8
Nice shot of the 'Mini Wack'. I'd be pleased to lead a group tour for all the folks that work at the downtown BC Ferries Travel office in order that they could experience first hand the boundless amenities this wonderful little vessel offers to International and local tourists alike as they endeavour to explore the mid-coast route as part of their 'Beautiful B.C.' adventure! After all, their boss, Minister Stone states that touring that part of British Columbia is a fabulous experience no matter the size of 'The Wack'!
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Post by Curtis on Apr 18, 2015 10:32:14 GMT -8
Here are my pictures of the Nimpkish's Trek South to Vancouver. All Photos are © CS16 Photography and may only be used with Permission from the Owner.As you can see here, she's entering Blubber Bay and a very urban feel has come up in the area... no wait, that's not Blubber Bay! Nimpkish Not in Service in the First Narrows Enroute to Allied Shipyards. by CS16 Photography, on Flickr Putting the humour aside, I happened to be travelling to the Vancouver the exact same day the Nimpkish was repositioning from Blubber Bay to Allied Shipyards so I was well aware of her position most of the day. So I decided to make my way out to the Stanley Park Sea Wall and film her entering Vancouver Harbour. Now continuing with the pictures, here she is sailing under a well known Vancouver Landmark. Nimpkish Not in Service in the First Narrows Enroute to Allied Shipyards. by CS16 Photography, on Flickr Some shots of her with the Scenery of the North Shore. Nimpkish Not in Service Enroute to Allied Shipyards. by CS16 Photography, on Flickr Nimpkish Not in Service Enroute to Allied Shipyards. by CS16 Photography, on Flickr Now to a more industrial background. Nimpkish Not in Service in Burrard Inlet Enroute to Allied Shipyards. by CS16 Photography, on Flickr Pictured with an Auto Carrier that can probably carry at least 400x the Nimpkish's Capacity in Automobiles. Nimpkish Not in Service in Burrard Inlet Enroute to Allied Shipyards. by CS16 Photography, on Flickr Nimpkish Not in Service in Burrard Inlet Enroute to Allied Shipyards. by CS16 Photography, on Flickr Then she went and took over the SeaBus Route from the Burrard Pacific Breeze. Translink has been pretty fed up with the BPB lately so they have proposed a trade. Now the Breeze will run Route 10a in the Nimpkish's Place and the Nimpkish will run as the third SeaBus... But enough Mid-April Fools, she made a stop by the Burrard Drydock and carried on to Allied after that. The Breeze just happened to be going by. Nimpkish Not in Service Near Lonsdale Quay Enroute to Allied Shipyards. Burrard Pacific Breeze Enroute to Waterfront. by CS16 Photography, on Flickr That's All for Now!
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Apr 24, 2015 23:21:30 GMT -8
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jul 11, 2015 19:25:37 GMT -8
With these photos, I can now say I've sailed every route served by BC Ferries. I crossed off all vessels a number of years back...
The following photos are from my Route 10A trip to Bella Coola. I'll do it in reverse tomorrow.
July 9, 2015The following images posted by this account are copyright © S.A. ~ Unauthorized use is prohibited.BC Ferries - Nimpkish and Northern Expedition off McLoughlin Bay, Bella Bella. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Nimpkish approaching McLoughlin Bay, Bella Bella. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Nimpkish departing McLoughlin Bay, Bella Bella. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Nimpkish at Ocean Falls. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Nimpkish off Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Car Deck, Nimpkish. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Pickle Forks with a view. by Scott, on Flickr
July 10, 2015 BC Ferries - Nimpkish at Bella Coola. by Scott, on Flickr
BC Ferries - Nimpkish departing Bella Coola. by Scott, on Flickr
BC Ferries - Nimpkish departing Bella Coola. by Scott, on Flickr
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Post by Kahloke on Jul 11, 2015 19:28:06 GMT -8
With these photos, I can now say I've sailed every route served by BC Ferries You've provided a great accounting and photo-log of your current adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 11, 2015 20:14:45 GMT -8
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Post by jwjsamster on Jul 16, 2015 16:34:06 GMT -8
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Post by northwesterner on Jul 16, 2015 16:49:13 GMT -8
I pointed this out *elsewhere* but as the resident charter bus expert, I'll say it again here. That is a 40ft motorcoach that got stuck. ISL is one of a handful of companies to continue to order 40ft coaches (probably to pass on ferry savings versus the now industry standard of 45ftrs to customers, giving them a competitive advantage in price). With a shorter wheelbase than standard, there shouldn't be an issue getting that bus on the ferry. The ramp isn't that steep in the photos. However, looks can be deceiving and the breakover angle (which is what will cause a hang-up) could be worse than it looked. The real problem, though? Backing the bus on the ferry. Any ferry. With a rear engine, motorcoaches are much different than trucks. Hanging down from the rear engine is a set of skid plates, designed to protect the oil pan on the engine. These ski plates work pretty well when buses are moving forward. Transitioning up a steep hill, these will commonly drag on the pavement, but the momentum of the bus will keep it moving. Additionally, the drive axle has already transitioned off the area where the skids are dragging (imagine a flat intersection on a hill), so the skids will clear as the bus continues up the hill. Go the opposite way, in reverse down a ramp, and you've got problems. Those same skidplates will contact the deck of the ferry while the rear axles are still on the slope. The force of the bus going down the ramp will push the skids hard into the ferry deck. If the driver pushes hard enough, it is conceivable that the drive axle could lift off pavement, preventing him from even going up the ramp. My point - this isn't a Nimpkish problem. This is a "backing a bus down a slope" problem and could potentially occur any time a vehicle of this design is backed on any ferry in the system.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jul 16, 2015 22:18:41 GMT -8
This set is from Bella Coola to Bella Bella, including the infamous bus...
July 12, 2015The following images posted by this account are copyright © S.A. ~ Unauthorized use is prohibited.BC Ferries - Nimpkish sailing southbound in North Bentinck Arm. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Car Deck, Nimpkish. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Nimpkish sailing southbound in North Bentinck Arm. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Nimpkish off Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Sun Deck, Nimpkish. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Nimpkish off Dryad Point. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Starboard Lounge, Nimpkish. by Scott, on Flickr
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Post by westernflyer on Jul 17, 2015 9:46:08 GMT -8
Despite her shortcomings, to me the Nimpkish looks very much at home on the mid-coast. Something about the juxtaposition of the little ship and the big geography just works for me.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,172
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Post by Neil on Jul 17, 2015 9:51:28 GMT -8
Despite her shortcomings, to me the Nimpkish looks very much at home on the mid-coast. Something about the juxtaposition of the little ship and the big geography just works for me. Have you read any of the accounts, well reported by the Vancouver Sun's Stephen Hume, of the loss in tourist business on the central coast because of this completely inadequate service?
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Post by westernflyer on Jul 17, 2015 10:27:58 GMT -8
Despite her shortcomings, to me the Nimpkish looks very much at home on the mid-coast. Something about the juxtaposition of the little ship and the big geography just works for me. Have you read any of the accounts, well reported by the Vancouver Sun's Stephen Hume, of the loss in tourist business on the central coast because of this completely inadequate service? I have indeed. I agree that from a practical perspective the Nimpkish is a terrible choice for that service. I am continually offended by the choices made by BC ferries and the provincial government, not just in this situation but in many others, but from a purely aesthetic perspective I think she looks great up there.
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 17, 2015 13:32:30 GMT -8
Have you read any of the accounts, well reported by the Vancouver Sun's Stephen Hume, of the loss in tourist business on the central coast because of this completely inadequate service? I have indeed. I agree that from a practical perspective the Nimpkish is a terrible choice for that service. I am continually offended by the choices made by BC ferries and the provincial government, not just in this situation but in many others, but from a purely aesthetic perspective I think she looks great up there. Tour operators, hotel, motel, bed & breakfast, and resort, operators chambers of commerce have been horribly cast adrift by the cancellation of Route 40 and the fallout has been well documented and reported by Stephen Hume and others. Instead of building upon a promising/developing tourism market for the province, the province and BCF have made a mockery of the entire "vacations with BC Ferries" program. I suppose the only jobs Christie wants in British Columbia are one associated with the development and transport of fossil fuel products. No chance more use of fossil fuels will add to our global warming concerns...will they?
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 17, 2015 14:18:47 GMT -8
Despite her shortcomings, to me the Nimpkish looks very much at home on the mid-coast. Something about the juxtaposition of the little ship and the big geography just works for me. Yes indeed. She would also look "very much at home" replacing the Island Sky on the Jervis Inlet route. You know, little ship, big geography ... What perhaps you are saying is that the Nimpkish is more visually appealing than the Wack. On that, we can agree.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 6, 2015 18:01:46 GMT -8
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