John H
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Post by John H on Sept 9, 2016 20:28:56 GMT -8
Looks like the COASTAL INSPIRATION is done for the day. The 5:45 (TSA), 8:15 (DKP), and 10:45 (TSA) have been cancelled.
From BC Ferries service notices:
According to the "Actual Departures" page, the QUEEN OF NEW WESTMINSTER left Tsawwassen at 8:37 and the QUEEN OF ALBERNI left at 8:41 and is following the QoNW up to Duke Point. Guess the ALBERNI is going to "dog it" to give the QoNW time to unload and load.
Late edit: According to Marine Traffic, the QoNW is doing 20 knots and the ALBERNI is following doing 17. And the COLUMBIA is just ahead of them.
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Post by hwy19man on Sept 9, 2016 21:11:46 GMT -8
It looks like the NW might be doing a route 30 trip tomorrow (Saturday) because BCF has issued a service notice for the NW's cancellation of the 800h/1000h trip on route 1.
Please be advised that the Queen of New Westminster has had to cancel the following sailings on Saturday September 10, 2016 due to an operational issue:
8:00 am departing Tsawwassen
10:00 am departing Swartz Bay
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=995368
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Post by hwy19man on Sept 9, 2016 21:17:52 GMT -8
The Celebration's extra round trip will have it departing TSA at 2245h in an updated service notice.
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Post by hwy19man on Sept 9, 2016 21:30:58 GMT -8
The Surrey has service notice issued as it is 35 minutes behind schedule. It was running late yesterday as well.
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John H
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Post by John H on Sept 10, 2016 8:35:40 GMT -8
Still problems on Route 30 this morning: www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=995278The QoNW cancelled her route 1 sailings, but hasn't filled in for any other ship this morning. The INSPIRATION did her 5:15 sailing from Duke Point but the 7:45 is currently still sitting in Tsawwassen waiting for authorities to clear overnight repairs. BC Ferries just tweeted a minute ago that the INSPIRATION will begin loading shortly, so I guess everything passed inspection. The ALBERNI is only going to be 30 minutes behind her all day. Late edit: A BC Ferries tweet blamed the QoNW cancellations on an "operational issue", which I assume means that the crew worked too late yesterday to be available for the trips this morning.
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Post by timmyc on Sept 10, 2016 11:00:27 GMT -8
From a friend re. Inspiration: " There was a fire panel that went haywire and transport Canada wouldn't let them sail. The crew pulled a seriously loooong night, as did we, trying to get everyone to nanaimo, and only just sailed home this morning."
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Post by mybidness459 on Sept 10, 2016 12:00:24 GMT -8
Times like this make me think that BCF should and must keep at least one B class ship hanging around untill Spirit ov VI returns from her midlife in Poland. Even though they are smaller in a pinch they can be used as a spare/backup vessel in extreme case of mechanical breakdown on any of the major runs.
The fact is they CAN be used to fill in if needed, though may not be adequate but better than no service.
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Post by hwy19man on Sept 10, 2016 19:57:39 GMT -8
Please be advised that the Coastal Inspiration is currently operating 155 minutes behind schedule due to an earlier inspection and a medical emergency. www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=995278
The Inspiration left TSA at 1415h and that is when the medical emergency happened. It took three hours to cross as its arrival time at Duke Point was 1715h.
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Post by hwy19man on Sept 15, 2016 13:14:58 GMT -8
Please be advised that the Queen of New Westminster is currently operating 40 minutes behind schedule due to mechanical difficulties. The emergency generator was not operating correctly and has been repaired by a technician. www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=996273
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Oct 15, 2016 14:30:39 GMT -8
The BCF front page says it all about this afternoon: BE SAFE!
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Post by timmyc on Oct 15, 2016 15:25:49 GMT -8
Here a screenshot of Spirit of Vancouver Island's AIS track while waiting for winds to die down before docking at Tsawwassen yesterday:
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Post by timmyc on Oct 15, 2016 17:21:58 GMT -8
Thanks for the resize! I've gone and used the board's max-width function to reduce mine as well.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Oct 15, 2016 18:28:03 GMT -8
Thanks for the resize! I've gone and used the board's max-width function to reduce mine as well. Looks good. I've taken my resize down from this thread. BE SAFE EVERYONE. WE'LL MAKE IT THROUGH!Canucks hockey is on tonight for those who have power. Mark sang a good anthem tonight!
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Oct 15, 2016 21:02:26 GMT -8
So... what are peoples' impressions of the storm tonight? Here on Hornby, the winds howled from 7:00 until 8:30, and that was it. BC Ferries cancelled all service on the three major cross-strait routes after 3:00. I know that the wind was considerable in the southern strait in the late afternoon; right now it's gusting to 56k at Vancouver, and only 35 at Nanaimo, surely, weather that you would expect the ferries to be able to get through.
Were their customers the victims of an alarmist forecast?
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John H
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Post by John H on Oct 15, 2016 21:19:12 GMT -8
So... what are peoples' impressions of the storm tonight? Here on Hornby, the winds howled from 7:00 until 8:30, and that was it. BC Ferries cancelled all service on the three major cross-strait routes after 3:00. I know that the wind was considerable in the southern strait in the late afternoon; right now it's gusting to 56k at Vancouver, and only 35 at Nanaimo, surely, weather that you would expect the ferries to be able to get through.
Were their customers the victims of an alarmist forecast? Just looked outside, and the tree's aren't moving at all. I understand some places have had it worse, but I've been out driving all day and yesterday's wind was a lot worse than today in Vancouver. I guess BC Ferries does have to put some trust in the weather forecast in making decisions to cancel ferries... but if they were able to operate yesterday, albeit with delays, I doubt it would have been worse today - but that's with hindsight. Given all the hype this "3rd Storm" has gotten in the media, I'm not surprised BC Ferries did what they did.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 15, 2016 22:09:34 GMT -8
So... what are peoples' impressions of the storm tonight? Here on Hornby, the winds howled from 7:00 until 8:30, and that was it. BC Ferries cancelled all service on the three major cross-strait routes after 3:00. I know that the wind was considerable in the southern strait in the late afternoon; right now it's gusting to 56k at Vancouver, and only 35 at Nanaimo, surely, weather that you would expect the ferries to be able to get through.
Were their customers the victims of an alarmist forecast? In my 48 years on this coast, this is the first time I recall a local storm being linked to a named typhoon. That was enough to have me concerned, and to take some cautions for today around our home. I think BCF was smart in shutting down when they did. I don't think it was media alarm. I think it was warnings from professional meteorologists. Now I've got some surplus bottled water and non-perishable food to use up. And tomorrow I get to put my deck furniture back on my deck.
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Mayne
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Post by Mayne on Oct 15, 2016 22:15:27 GMT -8
So... what are peoples' impressions of the storm tonight? Here on Hornby, the winds howled from 7:00 until 8:30, and that was it. BC Ferries cancelled all service on the three major cross-strait routes after 3:00. I know that the wind was considerable in the southern strait in the late afternoon; right now it's gusting to 56k at Vancouver, and only 35 at Nanaimo, surely, weather that you would expect the ferries to be able to get through.
Were their customers the victims of an alarmist forecast? Ask Karl about the challenges that the SOBC had trying to dock at TWS on her 1:00 sailing, then ask if it was justified. They are still paying for crew and all other overhead of the existence of the company with zero income at the far box. Yes they "back in the good old days" would probably sailed but times change and situations change so it is what it is, and using the word victims is just a little extreme
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Oct 15, 2016 22:29:21 GMT -8
So... what are peoples' impressions of the storm tonight? Here on Hornby, the winds howled from 7:00 until 8:30, and that was it. BC Ferries cancelled all service on the three major cross-strait routes after 3:00. I know that the wind was considerable in the southern strait in the late afternoon; right now it's gusting to 56k at Vancouver, and only 35 at Nanaimo, surely, weather that you would expect the ferries to be able to get through.
Were their customers the victims of an alarmist forecast? Ask Karl about the challenges that the SOBC had trying to dock at TWS on her 1:00 sailing, then ask if it was justified. They are still paying for crew and all other overhead of the existence of the company with zero income at the far box. Yes they "back in the good old days" would probably sailed but times change and situations change so it is what it is, and using the word victims is just a little extreme Mayne, I was asking if customers were victims, not stating. And with all due respect to anyone on early afternoon sailings and their impressions, I was also wondering if all sailings through the end of the day should have been cancelled. Perhaps they should have been, and at least, Saturday afternoon and evening is one of the lightest periods of the week for travel throughout the ferry system, so hopefully not too many people were vict... err, inconvenienced.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Oct 15, 2016 23:20:42 GMT -8
Ask Karl about the challenges that the SOBC had trying to dock at TWS on her 1:00 sailing, then ask if it was justified. They are still paying for crew and all other overhead of the existence of the company with zero income at the far box. Yes they "back in the good old days" would probably sailed but times change and situations change so it is what it is, and using the word victims is just a little extreme Mayne, I was asking if customers were victims, not stating. And with all due respect to anyone on early afternoon sailings and their impressions, I was also wondering if all sailings through the end of the day should have been cancelled. Perhaps they should have been, and at least, Saturday afternoon and evening is one of the lightest periods of the week for travel throughout the ferry system, so hopefully not too many people were vict... err, inconvenienced. Except for those without power, Vancouver Islanders, who wished to go to Vancouver to see the Canucks game tonight, got a treat on CBC's HNIC. Normally, second game watchers are preempted from enjoying the anthem(s) by (mostly unnecessary) commercials after an overtime first game. This time, CBC did a better job. They showed the Canucks entire coaching staff and players being introduced as well as Mark Donnelly's wonderful rendition of the anthem (as always!). Then the game won by the Canucks on an overtime shootout. I hope all of our Canadian (as well as US) Forum mates made it through these storms without getting hurt. We now await for better service notices Sunday morning from BCF to cheer up this thread a bit. Good Night!
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 16, 2016 9:11:03 GMT -8
So... what are peoples' impressions of the storm tonight? Here on Hornby, the winds howled from 7:00 until 8:30, and that was it. BC Ferries cancelled all service on the three major cross-strait routes after 3:00. I know that the wind was considerable in the southern strait in the late afternoon; right now it's gusting to 56k at Vancouver, and only 35 at Nanaimo, surely, weather that you would expect the ferries to be able to get through.
Were their customers the victims of an alarmist forecast? The storm was a bit of a dud here in Victoria. The Coho sailed on. BC Ferries' decision to shut down all Georgia Strait crossings effective 3 PM seems harsh, in hind sight. But given the forecasts that we all heard, their decision was reasonable, at least as far as routes 1 & 30 are concerned. On route 2 both terminals are well sheltered and berthing the big double-enders should not be that difficult (dissenting opinions, anyone?). So are they shutting down on that route only because some passengers may find the crossing uncomfortable (perhaps very)?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2016 13:19:50 GMT -8
I'm trying to choose my words carefully so I don't come across as trying to second guess the brain trust at BC Ferries. Times have changed and sometimes we have to accept things as they are. The tough part for me is that we now live in a marine world where people in an office are making decisions that were traditionally the Ship Master's. Our marine weather forecasting is pretty good but it's also good to look out the window once in a while to see what's happening where you are. An area forecast doesn't always translate to local conditions. In the last company that I worked for, I was asked for my input by the owner when the weather was "iffy" and between us we decided whether to continue operating or hold back until I determined that I could carry on. In almost 25 years as Master of the Garibaldi II, it was always my decision whether to sail or not. During that time, I suspended service only once because I couldn't safely load or unload at one terminal. Within about 3 or 4 hours, the weather had moderated enough to allow for continuation of service. It was still not pleasant! I've sailed under worse conditions than this weekend but I was able to determine the most comfortable speed and choose which course to steer. BC Ferries operates on a schedule that seems to be overly emphasized. In the real world ships slow down and sail based on conditions. Tsawassen is a difficult place to land with those ugly slab sided wind catchers and of course time is of the essence. It's not likely that BCF would consider tug assists ( eg: there probably were a couple of ship docking tugs next door at Delta Port.) My guess .... there were lots of sailings that could have been safely made but the non working mariners in the crowd decided otherwise which gives us, the armchair Admirals something to discuss.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Oct 17, 2016 22:11:19 GMT -8
I'm trying to choose my words carefully so I don't come across as trying to second guess the brain trust at BC Ferries. Times have changed and sometimes we have to accept things as they are. The tough part for me is that we now live in a marine world where people in an office are making decisions that were traditionally the Ship Master's. Our marine weather forecasting is pretty good but it's also good to look out the window once in a while to see what's happening where you are. An area forecast doesn't always translate to local conditions. In the last company that I worked for, I was asked for my input by the owner when the weather was "iffy" and between us we decided whether to continue operating or hold back until I determined that I could carry on. In almost 25 years as Master of the Garibaldi II, it was always my decision whether to sail or not. During that time, I suspended service only once because I couldn't safely load or unload at one terminal. Within about 3 or 4 hours, the weather had moderated enough to allow for continuation of service. It was still not pleasant! I've sailed under worse conditions than this weekend but I was able to determine the most comfortable speed and choose which course to steer. BC Ferries operates on a schedule that seems to be overly emphasized. In the real world ships slow down and sail based on conditions. Tsawassen is a difficult place to land with those ugly slab sided wind catchers and of course time is of the essence. It's not likely that BCF would consider tug assists ( eg: there probably were a couple of ship docking tugs next door at Delta Port.) My guess .... there were lots of sailings that could have been safely made but the non working mariners in the crowd decided otherwise which gives us, the armchair Admirals something to discuss. It might also reflect a broader cultural shift where risk management trumps (gawd, I hate to use that word now) acceptable risk. It might have been best to do what BC Ferries usually does- cancel sailings and monitor things, as opposed to shutting down, period.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Oct 17, 2016 23:21:28 GMT -8
I'm trying to choose my words carefully so I don't come across as trying to second guess the brain trust at BC Ferries. Times have changed and sometimes we have to accept things as they are. The tough part for me is that we now live in a marine world where people in an office are making decisions that were traditionally the Ship Master's. Our marine weather forecasting is pretty good but it's also good to look out the window once in a while to see what's happening where you are. An area forecast doesn't always translate to local conditions. In the last company that I worked for, I was asked for my input by the owner when the weather was "iffy" and between us we decided whether to continue operating or hold back until I determined that I could carry on. In almost 25 years as Master of the Garibaldi II, it was always my decision whether to sail or not. During that time, I suspended service only once because I couldn't safely load or unload at one terminal. Within about 3 or 4 hours, the weather had moderated enough to allow for continuation of service. It was still not pleasant! I've sailed under worse conditions than this weekend but I was able to determine the most comfortable speed and choose which course to steer. BC Ferries operates on a schedule that seems to be overly emphasized. In the real world ships slow down and sail based on conditions. Tsawassen is a difficult place to land with those ugly slab sided wind catchers and of course time is of the essence. It's not likely that BCF would consider tug assists ( eg: there probably were a couple of ship docking tugs next door at Delta Port.) My guess .... there were lots of sailings that could have been safely made but the non working mariners in the crowd decided otherwise which gives us, the armchair Admirals something to discuss. It might also reflect a broader cultural shift where risk management trumps (gawd, I hate to use that word now) acceptable risk. It might have been best to do what BC Ferries usually does- cancel sailings and monitor things, as opposed to shutting down, period. I guess it may be the number of car decks on the mainliners (and their center of gravity) and the age of the NANAIMO. Bow hatches may be an issue. Someone may correct me on these. I'm amazed at how the stretched early 1960s ferries have fared during rough seas without breaking up. The workers did a great job " HARD-MATING" the 84-foot mid-section to the seven ships that originally measured 342 feet in length (presently 426 feet to the three leftover surviving sisters after the first four were scrapped).
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Nov 2, 2016 14:41:22 GMT -8
I questioned the service cancellations recently when a storm turned out to be less than expected, but today there have been cancellations for very good reason, among them the Kahloke this morning. It started running at noon again, but I watched that sailing leave, and I would not have wanted to be on it. Service is cancelled again as of 3, with Chrome Island gusting to 43 knots, Sisters at 45. A wild day in the northern strait.
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Post by Kahn_C on Nov 27, 2016 13:34:19 GMT -8
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