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Post by WettCoast on Feb 2, 2016 19:02:54 GMT -8
Dave Barrett's NDP government was defeated in 1975, replaced by the younger Bennett, WAC's son, Bill. In 1980 his transportation/ highways minister was Alex Fraser, the MLA for Cariboo, and the man who has a well-known Vancouver area bridge named after him. Now, for some newspaper clippings from 1980 (& one from the BC Ferry Corporation employee publication 'The Dolphin, too) on the subject of the wee little mess that Alex Fraser was largely responsible for. All these items are from the ' Mr. DOT collection'. I am not sure what paper this one came from, probably the Vancouver Sun or ProvinceThe following two are from The Province newspaper This item is from the BCFC's The Dolphin (I believe); probably summer 1980
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 2, 2016 20:42:44 GMT -8
Thanks for posting those stories, Jim. Further evidence as to the folly of bottom line thinking, and also the notion that the 'free enterprise' political right has any particular insight into running a successful business.
The sad thing about the whole Victoria to Seattle car ferry episode was that there was little consideration given to how much money it brought into the Vancouver Island economy, aside from the cost of running the service itself. I think there's a fair bit of evidence to show that riding the classic Princess Marguerite was an attraction on its own.
And, though I have no particular desire to speak ill of the dead, I'm not always convinced that people who get major infrastructure like bridges named after them necesarily deserve the distinction.
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mrdot
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Mr. DOT
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Post by mrdot on Feb 3, 2016 22:01:16 GMT -8
I remember this ferry bungling of the ill-suited use of QPR on the Seattle route when I was in my new Delta Planning career, and a trip over to Swartz Bay for the inaugural of the then new Queen of Oak Bay and my seat up in the wheel house, when I sat with Alex Fraser, the then minister, after just having illustrated some work for this occasion, it was a mixed up period in ferry policy at the time! mr.dot.
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 10, 2016 3:16:54 GMT -8
Dave Barrett's NDP government was defeated in 1975, replaced by the younger Bennett, WAC's son, Bill. In 1980 his transportation/ highways minister was Alex Fraser, the MLA for Cariboo, and the man who has a well-known Vancouver area bridge named after him. Now, for some newspaper clippings from 1980 (& one from the BC Ferry Corporation employee publication 'The Dolphin, too) on the subject of the wee little mess that Alex Fraser was largely responsible for. All these items are from the ' Mr. DOT collection'. I am not sure what paper this one came from, probably the Vancouver Sun or ProvinceThe following two are from The Province newspaper This item is from the BCFC's The Dolphin (I believe); probably summer 1980 Thanks for bringing my glaring 'senior moment' lapse of chronological fact to my attention. I was living in Duncan at the time, working in government and had a hand in getting our new MLA, Barbara Wallace elected in that race, only to find herself thrown onto a backbench of her Majesty's Loyal Opposition.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Feb 10, 2016 13:57:59 GMT -8
... And, remember, no cars were carried aboard the QPR (VP) on the Seattle run. She was not fitted with side hatches on her Main Deck. Pier 69 Seattle and Victoria Harbour had only side boarding vehicle ramps then. The Princess liners were fitted with side hatches for vehicle boarding.
If I remember right, there was a barge tied up at Pier 69 and Victoria, connected to the side vehicle ramp, for bicycle access to the VP's Main Deck.
The final blow to the PRINCESS MARGUERITE came in 1989 when Stena closed its operations at Pier 69 and moved to Pier 48. The VANCOUVER ISLAND PRINCESS was a stern loader (besides being a side loader at Pier 69) and shared this terminal with AMH. There were no side vehicle ramps at Pier 48, so the MAGGIE was permanently disabled from carrying cars that year. Loss of vehicle revenue for the MAGGIE. Loss of ship. The VIP continued on for a few years until she went off to China.
As a side note, Pier 48 was busy on Fridays in 1989. The PRINCESS MARGUERITE departed early in the morning. Then, the VANCOUVER ISLAND PRINCESS. Finally, the COLUMBIA came in to discharge her load from Alaska before going to the fuel dock on Harbor Island (the VIP also loaded fuel at Harbor Island as well). The reverse happened those evenings.
As we all know, the QUEEN OF PRINCE RUPERT has one of her former BCF workmates sharing sailing duties with her for the people of the Fiji Islands.
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 21, 2016 6:45:32 GMT -8
I remember this ferry bungling of the ill-suited use of QPR on the Seattle route when I was in my new Delta Planning career, and a trip over to Swartz Bay for the inaugural of the then new Queen of Oak Bay and my seat up in the wheel house, when I sat with Alex Fraser, the then minister, after just having illustrated some work for this occasion, it was a mixed up period in ferry policy at the time! mr.dot. A 'mixed-up policy' is being very polite there 'mrdot', and a policy which continues to the present day, good grief!
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jaws
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Post by jaws on Mar 10, 2016 1:37:27 GMT -8
Well new life for Lomaiviti Princess (QPR) she is in Babcock dry dock New Zealand for 12 days,Looks like Goundar has more plans for her.Took 3 1/2 days to sail to NZ.Its safe to say that she has more sea miles to do and she still looks good
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Post by Starsteward on Mar 10, 2016 6:02:10 GMT -8
Well new life for Lomaiviti Princess (QPR) she is in Babcock dry dock New Zealand for 12 days,Looks like Goundar has more plans for her.Took 3 1/2 days to sail to NZ.Its safe to say that she has more sea miles to do and she still looks good Welcome to the forum jaws. Thanks for the good news update on the ex QPR. Pleased that Mr. Goundar is spending appropriate money to keep her up to standards and looking good. Please feel free to keep us posted on our two ex-BC Ferries that are enjoying a new life in the sunny South Pacific.
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
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Post by Nick on Mar 10, 2016 21:52:24 GMT -8
Well new life for Lomaiviti Princess (QPR) she is in Babcock dry dock New Zealand for 12 days,Looks like Goundar has more plans for her.Took 3 1/2 days to sail to NZ.Its safe to say that she has more sea miles to do and she still looks good Welcome to the forum jaws. Thanks for the good news update on the ex QPR. Pleased that Mr. Goundar is spending appropriate money to keep her up to standards and looking good. Please feel free to keep us posted on our two ex-BC Ferries that are enjoying a new life in the sunny South Pacific. I'm not so sure about this. I can hardly say that a 12 day drydocking on a 50 year old vessel is keeping "up to standards". 12 days is the bare minimum to keep up on the hull survey, shaft and rudder maintenance, and certification requirements. I'd be very surprised if it included any kind of steel analysis such as ultrasonic testing, which I would certainly want to see on a vessel of the QPR's age. And, if UT is done, there would hardly be enough time to fix any problems found. Contrary to popular belief, ships often rust from the inside out. Bilge water accumulates in the nooks and crannies that are inaccessible, and it is inevitable that there will be hull wastage in these places, no matter how much the hull gets painted. It is critical for the long term longevity of the hull that these points are found and the steel replaced. I currently work on a 47 year old vessel, which was originally built with an ice strengthened hull (thicker than normal), and we have spent millions of $$ in the last 5 years replacing sections of hull were more than 50% wasted. While I do enjoy the nostalgic fact of the QPR sailing on as a ferry, I do question the safety of it. Goundar Shipping does seem to be investing SOME money into its vessels, particularly in the form of paint, but I don't see the level of investment that would be needed to keep the rust at bay.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 10, 2016 22:48:09 GMT -8
I very much second Nick's remarks, above. Goundar has had this vessel for several years and this is the first drydocking we've heard of. Twelve days, indeed. Fifty years old, and sailing the open Pacific, now joined by another elderly, double ended boat, the former 'Chilliwack. I realize that third world countries are forced into accepting lower standards of maritime safety for want of cash, but this is not a situation to be cheered.
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jaws
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Post by jaws on Mar 11, 2016 2:28:02 GMT -8
Oh Please looks like you are all experts and not giving him some repect,give Mr Goundar a slack,He owns 3 Ferries now,he is a smart engineer and I could see more coming,I work with him for many years and enjoying working with him. I am always in touch with him and he shares a lot with me. The last dry dock for QPR was 2 years ago in PNG for 3 weeks,The QPR dry dock in NZ is about $2m all underwater valves 2 main engine,both shaft and rudder,hull grid water blast and for sure hull thickness he is not stupid Look at him now a millionaire ,Also FYI his company got an award form the Gobal shipping agency for the best safety record in the Pacific Island. People that worked with him know that he is one smart hard working engineer,he never keeps still always on the move.I will try to get some pic from NZ I just check marine traffic and saw the vessel in Devon port dry dock ,thats the NZ Naval base. Never count him out of the Queen of Burnaby and Nanaimo also Tenaka
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 11, 2016 10:34:36 GMT -8
Oh Please looks like you are all experts and not giving him some repect,give Mr Goundar a slack,He owns 3 Ferries now,he is a smart engineer and I could see more coming,I work with him for many years and enjoying working with him. I am always in touch with him and he shares a lot with me. The last dry dock for QPR was 2 years ago in PNG for 3 weeks,The QPR dry dock in NZ is about $2m all underwater valves 2 main engine,both shaft and rudder,hull grid water blast and for sure hull thickness he is not stupid Look at him now a millionaire ,Also FYI his company got an award form the Gobal shipping agency for the best safety record in the Pacific Island. People that worked with him know that he is one smart hard working engineer,he never keeps still always on the move.I will try to get some pic from NZ I just check marine traffic and saw the vessel in Devon port dry dock ,thats the NZ Naval base. Never count him out of the Queen of Burnaby and Nanaimo also Tenaka A fifty year old vessel is a fifty year old vessel, no matter how conscientious the engineer. Your report is much appreciated, and certainly no one wants to see anything bad happen, so hopefully the ship is indeed being kept as sound as its age allows.
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Post by Mike C on Mar 11, 2016 12:02:03 GMT -8
Oh Please looks like you are all experts and not giving him some repect Welcome to the forum, Jaws. The great thing about the internet, is that you don't know who you're talking to. I would, in fact, qualify Nick as an expert on this matter, and we who know him take his analysis on these issues quite seriously. Criticism of the standards of overseas ferry operators is not a sign of disrespect. I don't believe that any comments were directed at Mr. Goundar himself, but rather the operating conditions and circumstances of the location in which he runs his service. We also don't discount Mr. Goundar's maritime experience, and we are well aware of his background. We as a forum based largely in British Columbia are appreciative of the second life given to our retired vessels. We are privileged to have you on board with us and look forward to your contributions.
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Post by WettCoast on May 20, 2016 8:50:18 GMT -8
Bella Bella (BC) - before 'the door' there was 'improvisation' over the bow - Queen of Prince Rupert - 4 January 1978. I was on the dock to take this photo. When they first started making stops at Bella Bella this was the means by which foot passengers got on & off the QPR. It was NOT wheelchair accessible!. A little later they added what were dubbed as 'Bella Bella' doors up at Prom Deck level. Later still, a vehicle loading dock was added just south of Bella Bella at McLoughlin Bay which continues in use today. Now have a look at that smart looking steward in his baby blue blazer. Could it be ... © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 20, 2016 10:03:45 GMT -8
Now have a look at that smart looking steward in his baby blue blazer. Could it be ... D. O. T. ?
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Post by WettCoast on May 20, 2016 10:45:57 GMT -8
Now have a look at that smart looking steward in his baby blue blazer. Could it be ... D. O. T. ? No, he never worked as a steward, & his time on the QPR was up twelve years earlier.
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mrdot
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Post by mrdot on May 20, 2016 20:56:35 GMT -8
looks like the drawbridge to satin's castle, but not so threatening those many years ago in june of 1966! mr.dot.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on May 20, 2016 21:58:08 GMT -8
No, he never worked as a steward, & his time on the QPR was up twelve years earlier. ...so the remark remains enigmatic... you, perhaps?
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Post by WettCoast on May 20, 2016 22:22:31 GMT -8
No, he never worked as a steward, & his time on the QPR was up twelve years earlier. ...so the remark remains enigmatic... you, perhaps? No, I have never worked for BC Ferries, & I did say that I took the photo, right? I am thinking of a member of the forum who was once a steward, apparently a 'star' ...
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Post by Starsteward on May 21, 2016 13:56:57 GMT -8
looks like the drawbridge to satin's castle, but not so threatening those many years ago in june of 1966! mr.dot. Is June 1966 a reference to the rather miscalculated "docking job" at Prince Rupert by the renowned Master Tom Parkinson? Apparently several windows on the starboard side of the newly minted 'QPR' needed some attention? Suffice to say, windows/portholes were the least of the Master's concerns on the morning of Friday, August 11, 1967 at approximately 07:50 hours.
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Post by Starsteward on May 21, 2016 14:10:03 GMT -8
...so the remark remains enigmatic... you, perhaps? No, I have never worked for BC Ferries, & I did say that I took the photo, right? I am thinking of a member of the forum who was once a steward, apparently a 'star' ... The passage of time blurs the ink on the pages of a seaman's 'Continuous Certificate of Discharge' book, however at the time of your 1978 photo, the baby-blue jacket had long been stowed in the annals of history. The once elegant dining lounge on the 'Queen of Prince Rupert' had been left to catering history as of Thursday, August 6th 1970.
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Ferryman
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 21, 2016 20:46:46 GMT -8
www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=359111The beginning of what could likely eventually be the final ending of the ex-QPR. George Goundar is reporting, "The Lomaiviti Princess I has come of age. We are spending more than we should on the repairs and maintenance". No real surprise there to be honest, given that the age of the vessel is surpassing 50 years old.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jun 21, 2016 21:52:51 GMT -8
www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=359111The beginning of what could likely eventually be the final ending of the ex-QPR. George Goundar is reporting, "The Lomaiviti Princess I has come of age. We are spending more than we should on the repairs and maintenance". No real surprise there to be honest, given that the age of the vessel is surpassing 50 years old. No air conditioning on a vessel operating in the tropics sounds problematic, to say the least. The former Queen of Prince Rupert has probably had her day. It's good to hear that Mr Goundar has the resources to procure a newer vessel.
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Post by Starsteward on Jun 22, 2016 5:13:39 GMT -8
www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=359111The beginning of what could likely eventually be the final ending of the ex-QPR. George Goundar is reporting, "The Lomaiviti Princess I has come of age. We are spending more than we should on the repairs and maintenance". No real surprise there to be honest, given that the age of the vessel is surpassing 50 years old. Thanks for posting the article from the Fiji Times re: George Goundar in talks to purchase a new vessel for $10.5 million, and wind down the service life of the 'Lomaiviti Princess 1. Can't wait to see what vessel is on the horizon for Goundar Shipping. I read with some amusement Mr. Goundar's comments about the air conditioning not working properly in the passenger cabins. Well folks, here's a news flash from as early as 1967, a year after the 'QPR' entered service. The A/C in the passenger cabins, especially in the Tween Deck cabins, Never worked worth a darn! Not far behind on the inefficiency list was the main dining salon, especially noticeable during Northbound Summer sailings. Sunlight beaming through those large windows, coupled with a fair bit of heat generated in the galley, which was left to enter the dining salon through two large, always open, doors , kept many an electrician playing Detective Holmes roles in tracking down unruly bugs throughout the A/C system. I don't know if a story once told to me by one very busy electrician was that the A/C problems existed because there were changes made in the system when BC Ferries decided to built the 84 foot shorter version of the 'QPR' than had originally been planned.
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Ferryman
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 16, 2017 14:27:50 GMT -8
A story about the rise of "Goundar's Empire" was published yesterday. As you all know, Goundar's shipping fleet started with the purchase of the ex-Queen of Prince Rupert, and also the ex-Queen of Chilliwack. Also interesting to see that he manages a total of four ships now, with two more vessels about to be purchased later this yearwww.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=385626
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