|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 12, 2011 17:15:58 GMT -8
I noticed that when Spirit class ferries were launched in 1993-94, they were rated as 470-car, 2100 passenger ships. Now, BC Ferries shows S-class capacity as 410-car (w/o ramps). Have the BC built ships had capacity reduced in fact or is this change aimed at making the German built ships (370-car, 1600 passengers) look better in comparison? The idea is that the expense is not worth the trouble to use the ramps at peak times because it causes major delays (they take a while to deploy and stow), and that there's another ship that will collect left over cars in an hour. This in turn gives a bad reputation for the following sailings with said vessels that end up running chronically late. IE: people aren't so understanding that the 7:00pm sailing is 45 minutes late because they had to use the ramps for the 3:00pm sailing even though there was another sailing at 4:00pm.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 12, 2011 14:43:29 GMT -8
North Island Princess taking a beating in the Strait
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 12, 2011 14:37:40 GMT -8
The Queen of Burnaby being towed down the Fraser River by the Tug, Sea Commander
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 12, 2011 13:56:02 GMT -8
A very in depth video of a trip aboard the Queen of the North in 1996. The Ferry footage starts at 2:30
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 12, 2011 13:25:33 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 8, 2011 14:38:28 GMT -8
From this afternoon, Oct, 8th, 2011: The Queen of Nanaimo's cardeck almost full on a direct sailing from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour, SSI. About 120 vehicles stowed away. Only 170 went to Galiano and Mayne a few hours prior. These direct to Salt Spring sailings aren't usually this full. Usually maybe a lane or two full on both Port and Starboard sides. But this what is called a "Block Load" with all lanes being utilized.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 5, 2011 23:18:03 GMT -8
The Queen of Burnaby is currently under tow by the tug "Sea Commander". They are bound for Esquimalt shipyard, southboud in the Strait of Georgia via East Point and Boundary Pass As of right now, they've just passed East Point.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 5, 2011 19:32:48 GMT -8
The Queen of Burnaby is currently under tow by the tug "Sea Commander". They are bound for Esquimalt shipyard, southboud in the Strait of Georgia via East Point and Boundary Pass
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 4, 2011 13:04:06 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 2, 2011 21:28:30 GMT -8
I wasn't really sure where to post this, but I got sick of looking for a thread. Since I moved to Manitoba, many of you have probably thought that i have given up my life of ferry geekiness. This is not the case however, as shown in these photos. Sean: I have to ask, HOW were you able to acquire all of that stuff? In particular, did you make a deal with Donella for the Flag? Any idea which ship the chair came from too? What's the story of it all?
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Oct 1, 2011 9:19:53 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 30, 2011 17:52:26 GMT -8
The SS Master, docked in Ganges Harbour, Salt Spring Island for the Wooden Workboat Festival September 24th, 2011 For more info of the SS Master, please see: www.ssmaster.org/
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 30, 2011 17:33:18 GMT -8
well mr. ferryman, that looks to be packing worthy of a commendation, if I may say so. If you were a part of this, I just want to say good job. Smart@$$! IF that were the case, then I'd pass the commendation to you as well.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 30, 2011 15:43:15 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 30, 2011 14:41:46 GMT -8
Times Colonist Youtube Interview with David Hahn
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 29, 2011 22:03:59 GMT -8
"Stacked" conditions aboard the Skeena Queen this morning for the 09:50 sailing from Fulford Harbour. There are 97 Under Heights, 2 Over Heights, and 2 Commercials. Room for another 4 or 5 Under Heights right at the stern thanks to vigilant Deckhands to pulling everybody up.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 29, 2011 21:58:11 GMT -8
Another Swartz Bay update from today: The apron has been installed on the new ramp already. Still no sign of the float though The replacement leads for the turning dolphin at the end of Berth 4/5 is now complete. Demolition begins of the old turning dolphin. Easy does it now!!
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 29, 2011 13:34:56 GMT -8
Here's a look at Gulf Islands Water Taxi's base in Ganges Harbour, Salt Spring Island. Front and Center, Scholarship, Right (blue), Mistaya III, and in behind, Graduate The GraduateThe Mistaya III
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 27, 2011 20:28:03 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 27, 2011 16:16:42 GMT -8
A pretty crazy video of the poor little Kahloke battling the Winds between Denman and Hornby Islands. Prime example of why that route has the larger Tachek in the Winter. I'm surprised they kept going with the way the ship rolled around in the dock. Most Captains would call it quits at that point. The dock work wouldn't have helped either I'm sure.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 26, 2011 13:09:20 GMT -8
The Coastal Celebration was fired up and Departed Swartz Bay at about 12:30pm.
The wind has abated somewhat, so the Spirits should run again at 3:00pm
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 25, 2011 19:39:01 GMT -8
Another issue to consider is the manning of larger ships. Larger ships means larger crew. I have no idea of what the Licensing is like on the New West and Chilliwack, but the Queen of Nanaimo "A" License is 27 crew, while the Burnaby's "A" License is 25. The Burnaby has a different evacuation system two DBC twin chute systems while the Nanaimo has four LSA slides. Another example between the Nanaimo and Burnaby for crew was that extra crew on the Nanaimo means just a bunch of more Catering Attendants. On the Burnaby, there's an extra Deckhand added, as well as an extra Engine Room assistant plus the added Catering staff.
The point I'm getting at: The New Wests "C" License is probably equivalent to something like a Burnaby's "A" License. Obviously not cost effective having an "A" license equivalent expenditure of crew wages, plus the added fuel consumption. So, definitely no go on that one.
The Chilliwack is the ONLY option that is feasible for the time being.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 24, 2011 17:48:33 GMT -8
An update of the New Berth 5, as of Sept 24th, 2011. Here's a look at the new ramp, which is temporarily being held by pilings as it awaits for the floating concrete pontoon to be installed. The ramp looks considerably wider than what was originally there, but likely not wide enough for two lanes of traffic. This in my mind is a bit of a disappointment. This berth is supposed to be completed in November I believe. Most of the fixed position leads are in place, and the new floating leads should appear soon as well.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 23, 2011 14:28:34 GMT -8
Yesterday, I had my first trip on the Klitsa with it being on the Mill Bay route. The last time I had probably been on it, was in 2007, the day of the Kuper's Open House in Chemainus. Klitsa has changed only a little bit though over the last 4 years. This wasn't a planned trip, since I was heading for Victoria over the Malahat only to discover it was closed due to an accident. Well, the dumbest part was that I live on Salt Spring Island, and could have taken the Skeena from Fulford. But usually it's actually more convenient from where I live on Salt Spring to travel via Vesuvius. Plus it's more of a gamble going via Fulford, because the sailings are usually full in the mornings. So the Mill Bay ferry was my alternative routing for this mistake, and also a fairly costly one. Of course I didn't expect to make it on with my car right away, but I managed to make it on the 11:35am sailing as a foot passenger since the lineup for cars was down the road, and it was mayhem trying to get near the terminal as people were driving like idiots to get close to the dock. But, little did a lot of them know it was probably a 3 sailing wait until they would get on, since the highway was expected to re-open by 2:00pm. Once onboard the Klitsa, I recognized the crew right away as the Master and Mate were both working on the Mill Bay for her final day on May 1st. There was a second Mate there as well, who was being familiarized as a regular Mate for that vessel who used to work on Salt Spring. Needless to say, this was a PACKED sailing. I think there was about 20 vehicles onboard all told. I didn't really count, but there was literally only about 3-5 inches of space between bumpers of every vehicle. to walk the beam of the vessel, you had to squeeze your way to the bow or stern and cross over to the other side in order to get to where you wanted to be. There was no walking between the cars except to follow the lanes. I only managed to take one photo yesterday with my Blackberry though, so here's how it looked. I took a cab from Brentwood Bay to the Bay Center in Downtown victoria, which was $49.00. I had an appointment to meet to recieve travel vaccinations for my trip to the Dominican Republic in just over 3 weeks. I managed to get a ride back to my car in Mill Bay in the evening from my Girlfriends mom. So, why not, lets ride this little tub again. Yep, I did another voyage to Brentwood Bay on its last sailing of the day, this time with my vehicle to take advantage of "The Islands most beautiful shortcut". I was planning on staying in Victoria anyways, so it was a nice way to end the day, even though the ship was running half an hour late. This is also my Girlfriends favourite ferry as she couldn't stop calling it "cute". I spent some time in the bridge as well, and it was modernized quite nicely I must say.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Sept 22, 2011 8:02:14 GMT -8
The NIP is already set for Near Coastal II crossings even with going back and forth to Texada. I suppose that route is exposed enough to justify her being classed for those waters. Most of the Minor and intermediate vessels are classes for Sheltered Waters. So it makes sense that they are able to use her for the crossing to Comox. Although, I don't know how I'd feel about riding as a passenger myself...
|
|