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Post by paulvanb on Jan 17, 2024 22:55:17 GMT -8
I find this news release from BCFS a bit confusing. Are they building four fully electric vessels or four hybrid electric vessels with diesel engines? The release seems to indicate both ... I am with you on this one. To me, hybrid means fossil fuel as a main source of power. Right now, BC Ferries has more holes than Swiss cheese. These ships would be a nice thing, but they really need to focus on mainline replacements. I also think that only four new Island class ships are not really enough. I am not sure how busy the Mill Bay run is off-season, but this ship clearly insufficient for summer months. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jan 18, 2024 0:49:09 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 18, 2024 11:57:36 GMT -8
Its too bad that BC Ferries news release is not written as clearly and concisely as this release from Damen that leaves no confusion as to what is happening. I don't think they will need any more IC vessels beyond the six they have now plus the four fully electric ones that are coming. A 47 car IC vessel would be too large for routes like the inter-island connection in Haida Gwaii. |
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 18, 2024 12:11:00 GMT -8
I find this news release from BCFS a bit confusing. Are they building four fully electric vessels or four hybrid electric vessels with diesel engines? The release seems to indicate both ... . I have to agree 100 % on focusing on mainline vessels. They need to expand capacity & improve reliability and they need to do this sooner than 2029. The inter-island routes up & down the coast will be served well with the ten Island class (IC) plus other existing vessels that are not yet past their best before dates. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jan 18, 2024 14:14:53 GMT -8
In September 2023 I did see a lot of head lines saying that next four of Island Class with be fully electric with diesel engines as backup power.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on May 23, 2024 23:04:14 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 16, 2024 11:36:38 GMT -8
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Post by yak on Jul 16, 2024 15:30:44 GMT -8
In September 2023 I did see a lot of head lines saying that next four of Island Class with be fully electric with diesel engines as backup power. Basically, the next 4 will come with the full number of battery banks pre-installed which will significantly increase the onboard battery capacity. Phase 1 and 2 boats only had a smaller number of batteries pre-installed with the ability to expand capacity in a future refit. The onboard infrastructure required for charging from shore will also be pre-installed, which it wasn't on Phases 1 and 2. That being said, Phase 1 and 2 boats can and do run fully electric from time to time even with their limited battery capacity. |
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anderpz
Deckhand
Waiting impatiently for my next Ferrapy session
Posts: 60
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Post by anderpz on Jul 16, 2024 20:31:44 GMT -8
In September 2023 I did see a lot of head lines saying that next four of Island Class with be fully electric with diesel engines as backup power. Basically, the next 4 will come with the full number of battery banks pre-installed which will significantly increase the onboard battery capacity. Phase 1 and 2 boats only had a smaller number of batteries pre-installed with the ability to expand capacity in a future refit. The onboard infrastructure required for charging from shore will also be pre-installed, which it wasn't on Phases 1 and 2. That being said, Phase 1 and 2 boats can and do run fully electric from time to time even with their limited battery capacity. From what I understand the current Island classes can make it about 3/4 of the way to Gabriola Island on pure electrical power if they maximize efficiency. I'm really curious to see just how big the new batteries are. Do they charge during each docking? Do they charge only on Nanaimo side or both sides? Do they last all day? I do think it is cool though and I am a supporter of electrification. I will be really weird though with silence instead of the classic engine sound on the boat. |
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Post by yak on Jul 16, 2024 20:53:07 GMT -8
From what I understand the current Island classes can make it about 3/4 of the way to Gabriola Island on pure electrical power if they maximize efficiency. I am more familiar with Route 23 but 3/4 of a trip to Gabriola sounds realistic at about 10kts cruising. My understanding is that on Route 18 they often run on just batteries and can make a whole trip across from Texada to Westview before the diesel generator kicks in. Keep in mind that for battery health the batteries are only allowed to draw down so far before they are being charged again - they're never anywhere near 0% Island Class ferries have two "battery rooms". The current boats have one complete rack in each room which fills maybe 1/3 of the space. The new boats will pack these rooms full of batteries. The plan for Campbell River - Quadra is to charge on both sides at each docking. I believe Gabriola - Nanaimo is the same. The batteries definitely won't last all day without charging. I am very curious to see how this is all implemented from a practical standpoint once the infrastructure is in place. By far the loudest sound coming from the vessels when they are operating in electric mode is a "hum" from the thrusters. |
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Neil
Voyager 
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Post by Neil on Jul 16, 2024 21:29:35 GMT -8
Basically, the next 4 will come with the full number of battery banks pre-installed which will significantly increase the onboard battery capacity. Phase 1 and 2 boats only had a smaller number of batteries pre-installed with the ability to expand capacity in a future refit. The onboard infrastructure required for charging from shore will also be pre-installed, which it wasn't on Phases 1 and 2. That being said, Phase 1 and 2 boats can and do run fully electric from time to time even with their limited battery capacity. From what I understand the current Island classes can make it about 3/4 of the way to Gabriola Island on pure electrical power if they maximize efficiency. I'm really curious to see just how big the new batteries are. Do they charge during each docking? Do they charge only on Nanaimo side or both sides? Do they last all day? I do think it is cool though and I am a supporter of electrification. I will be really weird though with silence instead of the classic engine sound on the boat. What is the "classic engine sound" these days? It strikes me that when I'm on the ' Capilano, it sounds the same underway as at dock. We just don't get the same 'engine underway' sound that we used to. One of my favorite memories of the last time I rode the Bowen Queen from Tsawwassen to Saltspring was the revving up as it pulled away from the old wooden slip. 'Classic' has very different meanings, depending on how old you are. |
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Post by Ollie on Jul 16, 2024 21:42:42 GMT -8
From what I understand the current Island classes can make it about 3/4 of the way to Gabriola Island on pure electrical power if they maximize efficiency. I'm really curious to see just how big the new batteries are. Do they charge during each docking? Do they charge only on Nanaimo side or both sides? Do they last all day? I do think it is cool though and I am a supporter of electrification. I will be really weird though with silence instead of the classic engine sound on the boat. What is the "classic engine sound" these days? It strikes me that when I'm on the ' Capilano, it sounds the same underway as at dock. We just don't get the same 'engine underway' sound that we used to. One of my favorite memories of the last time I rode the Bowen Queen from Tsawwassen to Saltspring was the revving up as it pulled away from the old wooden slip. 'Classic' has very different meanings, depending on how old you are. I believe both the Capilano and Cumberland are diesel electric, while the Bowen class are direct drive diesel. |
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anderpz
Deckhand
Waiting impatiently for my next Ferrapy session
Posts: 60
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Post by anderpz on Jul 16, 2024 22:07:57 GMT -8
From what I understand the current Island classes can make it about 3/4 of the way to Gabriola Island on pure electrical power if they maximize efficiency. I'm really curious to see just how big the new batteries are. Do they charge during each docking? Do they charge only on Nanaimo side or both sides? Do they last all day? I do think it is cool though and I am a supporter of electrification. I will be really weird though with silence instead of the classic engine sound on the boat. What is the "classic engine sound" these days? It strikes me that when I'm on the ' Capilano, it sounds the same underway as at dock. We just don't get the same 'engine underway' sound that we used to. One of my favorite memories of the last time I rode the Bowen Queen from Tsawwassen to Saltspring was the revving up as it pulled away from the old wooden slip. 'Classic' has very different meanings, depending on how old you are. I'm in my early 20s so I've not been around as long as some of you guys but when I think of classic engine noise I think of the Malaspina Sky and the ceiling tiles or the C-Classes. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 17, 2024 17:51:57 GMT -8
I know BC Ferries didn’t receive federal funding to upgrade the existing Island Class. Why did BC Ferries choose to send these vessels to replace current Island Class vessels on routes 19 and 23?
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Post by yak on Jul 18, 2024 18:14:49 GMT -8
I know BC Ferries didn’t receive federal funding to upgrade the existing Island Class. Why did BC Ferries choose to send these vessels to replace current Island Class vessels on routes 19 and 23? Feasibility of charging in the dock on these two routes vs. something like Route 25 where Alert Bay to Port McNeil is about 6nm. Route 23 is a pretty good candidate as the ships spend more time loading and unloading than they do on a crossing. I could see Crofton-Vesuvius being a good candidate if existing Island Class vessels are ever upgraded. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 18, 2024 19:07:18 GMT -8
I know BC Ferries didn’t receive federal funding to upgrade the existing Island Class. Why did BC Ferries choose to send these vessels to replace current Island Class vessels on routes 19 and 23? Feasibility of charging in the dock on these two routes vs. something like Route 25 where Alert Bay to Port McNeil is about 6nm. Route 23 is a pretty good candidate as the ships spend more time loading and unloading than they do on a crossing. I could see Crofton-Vesuvius being a good candidate if existing Island Class vessels are ever upgraded. Is the longer term the plan to electrify on minor and major route? Route 24 seems like good time to upgrade to electric with new terminal being built. |
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Post by rustyoo7 on Jul 28, 2024 12:33:42 GMT -8
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Post by yak on Aug 25, 2024 21:05:18 GMT -8
Steel cutting started this summer. I'd expect more updates this fall once Hull #7 has it's keel laid.
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Post by yak on Aug 25, 2024 21:14:27 GMT -8
Feasibility of charging in the dock on these two routes vs. something like Route 25 where Alert Bay to Port McNeil is about 6nm. Route 23 is a pretty good candidate as the ships spend more time loading and unloading than they do on a crossing. I could see Crofton-Vesuvius being a good candidate if existing Island Class vessels are ever upgraded. Is the longer term the plan to electrify on minor and major route? Route 24 seems like good time to upgrade to electric with new terminal being built. To be honest, I don't know. I hope that the two routes prove to be a good test bed but there are a lot of considerations when it comes to upgrading additional terminals or upgrading the older generations of Island Class vessel. For the new Majors, I also can't say but I know that every form of energy has been contemplated in the design phase. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 1, 2024 13:33:46 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,296
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Post by Neil on Oct 1, 2024 16:37:17 GMT -8
I hope it doesn't matter that the illustration with that story just shows ten Island class vessels. I believe they had planned thirteen, with seven more destined for Saanich Inlet, Thetis, Hornby, Cortes, two for Vesuvius, and one either for Alliford Bay or as a spare. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Nov 1, 2024 12:32:01 GMT -8
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