KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jan 21, 2018 18:46:39 GMT -8
Had a good conversation with my libertarian friend actually about BC Ferries. He even has an issue with BC Ferries’ current private operation; it’s not truly private yet there is no alternative operator.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jun 26, 2017 3:15:49 GMT -8
Columbia as of Saturday is still docked down at Vigor in Portland on Swan Island...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Dec 21, 2016 22:47:35 GMT -8
It's been a long time that I looked at the regulation but I know in the US under USCG regulations there is a similar requirement that has been in place since the 50s that came about due to fires on Great Lakes vessels that were made worse from gasoline.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Oct 23, 2016 9:24:57 GMT -8
Wait, they will have better coffee? YES!
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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MV Coho
Jul 16, 2016 10:08:33 GMT -8
Post by KE7JFF on Jul 16, 2016 10:08:33 GMT -8
Yeah good work on the photos!
How does the Bellevile terminal look now after its overhaul?
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jul 16, 2016 9:26:10 GMT -8
In my travels on the Island and the few Gulf Islands I have been so far, I just get a feeling that some residents wish that WAC Bennett would rise from the grave and use some voodoo to bring back BC Ferries to the way it used to be.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jul 9, 2016 9:29:56 GMT -8
I think the problem with a lot of the HSC ferries is that people don't just buy off the shelf designs that are proven....there's some bonehead that tries to tell a naval architect that you need a different kind of boat for NW waters! I think the issue here is the cost of operating high speed ferries. AMHS continues to run the Chenega's sister, the FVF Fairweather. It operates (or at least did) the Juneau to Sitka route. I was told that the high fuel cost was offset by savings on crewing costs as a round trip from Juneau to Sitka could be completed in one 12 hour shift with no need for extra crew to be aboard to cover for 24 hour service as would be the case for a conventional ferry. Yeah, the cost issue is what intrigues me; I was looking at an Austral Ship HSC ferry (like used with the Lake Express, the Rochester Ferry, and the Hawaii Superferry) and noticed they seem to have reasonable costs compared to other boats and have higher reliability issues.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jul 8, 2016 5:14:27 GMT -8
Chenega to be laid-up in Seattle. - AMHS can't afford to operate it. News Story HereYet another example of a high speed ferry failure. This leaves me wondering whether it is even possible to operate a viable high speed ferry service. It sure doesn't seem like it is... I think the problem with a lot of the HSC ferries is that people don't just buy off the shelf designs that are proven....there's some bonehead that tries to tell a naval architect that you need a different kind of boat for NW waters!
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jun 10, 2016 1:26:23 GMT -8
I love old stuff like this!
Per an acquaintance that is long retired US Customs, The border crossing requirements were representative of what issues were facing the US/Canada border at the time which was more things than people; so documentation of the person was looser but there was more scrutinizing of cargo and personal effects, but that started to change slowly after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
For the Portland CP office at 207 American Bank Building, that is still there, though I wonder who is in Suite 207 now...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jun 10, 2016 0:48:24 GMT -8
Unlike other modes of travel like aircraft, trains, and buses, Ferries and ships in general have the option of allowing passengers to go out to fresh air, I think its reasonable to have a designated smoking spot on the deck for smokers on the outside deck. However, with that said, if the smoker doesn't like that spot and decides to light up elsewhere, then they need a good slap.
As for marijuana; while the smoking the stuff is probably way better than tobacco, it does get people high still via second hand smoke, but however, if your smoking it on the outside deck of the boat where wind ventilates it, I don't see why not. But if your on land in a smoking shelter and light up, no.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on May 4, 2016 3:14:48 GMT -8
Centerplate I know in Portland runs concessions at Providence Park for the Timbers; its not the best food nor the worst; I do know they use Olympia Provisions for meats...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jan 2, 2016 7:54:23 GMT -8
If boat 4 is built to SOLAS standards (something I fully expect), would Samish be moved to Bremerton or Whidbey Island or would they keep it up north to put another super onto standby? If it stays north, the islands would see a summer vessel set of Chelan, Yakima, Samish, Oly #4 and Klahowya, assuming that Elwha is put on standby rather than Yakima. Also when will the state be accepting name proposals? Is there a particular reason you expect the 4th Oly to be SOLAS compliant? Do you have information that supports this statement? I'm just curious, because I have heard it stated on one of the threads here that the modifications to make the new ferry SOLAS compliant is a pretty major change order, and that is not likely to happen with this flight of the new-build program. That said, I, too, would like to see the 4th Oly be SOLAS compliant to replace Elwha at Sidney in the Fall and Spring, and bump Elwha into reserve status. I would still be inclined to leave Chelan on the route in the summers, and utilize the 4th Oly in the San Juans where capacity is most needed, but I am getting ahead of things here. I think there might be some confusion here; from my understanding what makes a vessel SOLAS complaint is two things; one it has the required equipment and materials, two it has the certificate. Most new ferry vessels even for domestic operation comply with at least most if not all SOLAS requirements at with fire suppression, structural/materials design, rescue/escape systems. These components are standard items now; a matter of fact, I see even a few press mentions the MV Tokitae has the larger SOLAS complaint slide system. Older vessels like the Elhwa and Chelan, which of course had to be retrofitted, this is a whole different animal because you can't just slap in the right components and ask the USCG for the certificate; best way to explain it is that there is a list of repairs and upgrades that gets recommended after inspection by the USCG or a 3rd party. One of them off the top of my head is huge restrictions on flammable material. Regardless of what is done when and how, the ships have to inspected regaurlay by their flag nation; I think USCG does it once a year for WSF...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jan 2, 2016 6:36:24 GMT -8
Something I heard was that at one point, CN actually wanted to stop using train ferries and went to as far to actually look into running track from Fort Nelson to Alaska to make connection with the Alaska RR, but apparently projected the project would take 15 years... The Alaska-Canada rail link is still being looked at. The most recent Alaska State funded study was, I think, only 2012. More important than studies, we recently built an almost $200 Million beige over the Tanana to get the Railroad to the south side, and onto easier to build land for the push East. We don't have rail to or from that bridge yet, but the idea is to push the line to Delta, which will be of certain utility to the State and to the military for getting to training grounds, but the real reason for the bridge is to get us just that much closer to the border. The era of mega-projects is over, so we have taken to doing them in steps. We no longer talk about a road to Nome, we talk about a road to Tanana (on the same river, but a very different location than the bridge), after which we will talk about a road to Ruby, then to Galena, and at that point we are so close to Koyukuk that we may as well... so on until we get to Nome. Going the other way, using the same model, we have crossed the Tanana, pushing to Delta Junction makes sense, as it will connect the major military installations in Alaska by rail. There is no timeline for when it will happen, and there is no funding allocated to make it happen, but with the bridge built, it will happen. Then, the discussion between Juneau and Whitehorse (it won't be driven from DC or Ottawa) about connecting Yukon mineral resources to the deep-water Port MacKenzie becomes perhaps a billion dollars easier. It will take much longer than 15 years to do this way, but only 6 years or so will be active construction. Wow, that's good to hear! I know during the era of BC Rail, there was that big push to do a mega project to link Alaska "once and for all" so to speak, but it fizzled out after the line to Williams Lake got built. I actually think if the rest of that line got built, BC Rail would be still alive...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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MV Coho
Dec 28, 2015 5:25:13 GMT -8
Post by KE7JFF on Dec 28, 2015 5:25:13 GMT -8
Alaska State Ferry has a few ships that will be sold in the next few years, I wonder if one of them might be a candidate to supplement the Coho. If not replace her I would hope not due to their age. Makes little sense to replace an aging vessel with one almost as old. Yeah, I wouldn't even bother with replacing it with its older sister... Per again my contacts in the maritime industry, the only thing that would be a direct replacement and be compliant with the Jones Act without waiver would be a few select HSC-type catamarans in the used market.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Dec 28, 2015 5:04:25 GMT -8
Something I heard was that at one point, CN actually wanted to stop using train ferries and went to as far to actually look into running track from Fort Nelson to Alaska to make connection with the Alaska RR, but apparently projected the project would take 15 years...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Dec 6, 2015 7:44:44 GMT -8
So, I'm curious now what the plans are for the Belleville Terminal; as I understand the new facility will replace both the Blackball and Clipper sides of operation into one building...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Oct 28, 2015 17:26:35 GMT -8
Something else to consider too on any replacement is dependent on the rebuild of the Belleville Terminal; they might not do side loading...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Oct 28, 2015 12:31:37 GMT -8
If the ships metal isn't worn down like heck like the Princess Maggie was towards its end, I think 80 is entirely possible.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Oct 26, 2015 4:16:50 GMT -8
Here is a little timelapse video I shot on my journey from Portland to boarding the Coho.
As for a replacement....interesting thought. I know I mentioned elsewhere my friends in the boat trade were telling me that the Black Ball management was shopping for a second vessel; I'm guessing the used market as its kind of hard to get a ship like the Coho brand new. I'm curious what they could find even in the non-HSC type of ships out there that would well in the Pac NW waters...
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Oct 26, 2015 3:54:03 GMT -8
They should cut 50% of everything in general for 10 years
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Sept 15, 2015 13:15:12 GMT -8
I'll just have a backpack so I'll be fine.
I know too I can arrange for a cab to go from the Sandman to Bridgeport for about 10.00 which isn't the end of the world. And if I have to, a taxi even to TSA is 50.00....
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Sept 14, 2015 17:00:57 GMT -8
Thanks. Yeah, I'll change it to Richmond to make things easier
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Sept 13, 2015 5:19:11 GMT -8
So I'm coming in via the Amtrak Thruway bus to Vancouver next month and well, need to get down to Tsawwassen to head to Victoria. Instead of hiking from Pacific Central Station to Waterfront then to Canada Line to the old 620 bus, I'm pondering springing for a PCL bus to at least Swartz Bay and then transfer to the Downtown Express on BC Transit in Vic. However, since I get into Pacific Central at 515 PM and I see that the last PCL bus for the night is at 530 PM; I understand that's a tight connection provided I make a reservation, but I'm wondering if there's any alternative services out there that could get me a 7PM ferry.
The only other thing I can come up with is change my Amtrak Thruway reservation to drop me off at the Sandman Resort in Richmond then get somehow across the highway to Bridgeport and just hop on the 620 from there which would get me 30 minutes prior to the 7PM departure.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Dec 28, 2014 13:30:36 GMT -8
Solution to the problem with the steel: Dofasco sells half to the project and the other half comes from US Steel. Everyone wins!
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Nov 27, 2014 7:17:40 GMT -8
Actually....Marine Atlantic wasn't founded until 1986; before that, CN ran the ferries (with a federal subsidy of course) under its CN Marine division. Hmmm...that sounds awfully familar actually...
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