Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 28, 2020 19:19:16 GMT -8
Looking at the post immediately above this one, and taking into account the recent closure of Highway 4 at the Kennedy Lake project, I thought of how the Frances Barkley would have been utilized. I wonder if LRMS would have been able to run her around the clock, given how Tofino and Ucluelet were completely cut off from everything freight oriented. Stores were running out of groceries, and fuel was in short supply.
Even more useful would have been the ex-Tenaka, now Alberni Legacy, sitting unused in Port Alberni for, what, three years now? After all this time, one can't be very hopeful LRMS will ever get her operational, but occasions like this highlight the need for more than one connection to the Long Beach area.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 24, 2020 22:05:07 GMT -8
One thing I'll be interested to see... One one of the BC Ferries online releases, there is a photo with lines pointing to different locations on board, with captions. One points to the promenade deck, above even the gallery cardeck, saying, "designed to be fully accessible without elevators." Only way that could be accomplished is with some very long ramps. We'll see.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 20, 2020 21:32:41 GMT -8
Hmmm I don't like any of those - not that my opinion matters. But the Salish names actually sort of mean something, as does Northern Sea Wolf & Malaspina Sky. This seems like a back slide to corporate drivel, like the Island Sky! So agree. Why do we have to name ferries after nothing? We're told it's because they're going to be moved around, and can't be named for a specific place. Rubbish, I say. I agree with Dane- the Salish names are something that could be continued. Or, go for the aboriginal names for the islands. Or perhaps, island pioneers... MV Hilary Brown comes to mind for Hornby Island. Even if the vessels were moved, they would still commemorate something that matters. Yes, we've gotten used to nonsense like ' Coastal Celebration'. Doesn't mean it was a good idea. I'm going to send BC Ferries a note opposing generic, meaningless names for these vessels that are so key to life on the coast.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 20, 2020 21:21:22 GMT -8
Tuesday Jan 21st is Maritime Lobby Day in Olympia. All the major seafarer unions will be there including mine the MEBA. The Governors Financial Budget does not currently have any money dedicated to the repairs of the Elwha. The MEBA will be pushing hard to keep the Elwha running because of the huge negative impact to the 2020 WSF Summer Schedule and the loss of engine room billets should she be decommissioned. This would leave just the Chelan as the only SOLAS boat remaining. The Chelan is too small to handle the big load of summer international travelers. It will be interesting to see if you can actually get "blood out of a stone" as the saying goes and Gov. Inslee steps up with the additional funding. Olympic Ferris could be "right on the money" here if it does happen. Good news for all. Okay... I fully admit that my question comes from the perspective of an uninformed outsider. But, if for nothing other than the sake of argument, I would ask: Despite the need for the Elwha's services next summer, what is the expected cost of getting this vessel fully functional, and is that a reasonable investment in a 53 year old ferry?
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 18, 2020 20:42:48 GMT -8
I think the Island-Class process has now arrived at that special point (no, not Ogden) where the BC general public will suddenly and passionately realize that new ships are here, and that they weren't built in BC. People all across BC will be reaching into their computer archives to copy/paste the same carefully thought-out comments that they posted in 2008 for Coastal Class, 2009 for Northern Expedition, 2017 for Salish Class and 2018 or 2019 for Northern Sea Wolf (actually, no one cares about the Sea Wolf). Brace yourselves for the rhetoric rampage... Listen, Mr Smartypants... I never cut and pasted any of my previous rhetoric to complain about building off shore. On every occasion, I came up with slightly different rhetoric- sometimes at great effort- to make the same points. Just in case someone hadn't heard me the last time, or the time before that. Or the time before that. Us rhetoriticians (is there such a word?) have pride in our craft.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 17, 2020 22:04:49 GMT -8
Name Omitted: What do you think will be the outcome to this dilemma? As an outside observer, I'm aghast at what seems to be the implosion of an essential marine transit service, but at the same time, I wonder at the ability of the state to support an extremely expensive system for a relatively small number of users. What might AMHS look like next summer, and going forward? And do Democrats in your state have a different vision, and a view of the financing?
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 16, 2020 22:11:55 GMT -8
Happened to be driving past Deas on Highway 99 this morning, and noticed the Queen of Burnaby is no longer moored along the side of the basin with the Northern Sea Wolf. I'm guessing they finally found somewhere that will take her. Oh my... under tow to Ensenada at last, since that was what BC Ferries was advertising for?
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 16, 2020 20:32:30 GMT -8
Happy Birthday to the MV Coho. From the "Insider" information I've gathered over the last two years, a source high-up in the Coho's crew, expects her to be sailing to 90-100 years, if not longer. The secret has been yearly dry-docking, her Heavy-Duty nature (she was designed for hauling heavy trucks of Newsprint, and her designer, Philip F. Spaulding, thought of her as His Masterpiece!), and her position as the Rock-Solid link, between the U.S. and Canada. A now-former employee, had told me last year, that it would cost around $70 Million, to build the Coho today (at least; compare how much it cost for the Tribe and Olympic classes, and think how that may hash.). What's needed, is a second, speedier (17-18kn service speed), versatile, smaller vessel, built to the Same Standards (toughness, heavy-duty, kept in top-notch condition from day one!), to open-up new routes and opportunities, for the Black Ball Line. Coho could sail well-beyond the Century mark, I have faith in how they maintain the regal lady of the Strait. It's opportunity that's the necessity, and while they seem limited, there lays opportunity, if one is intelligent to follow Henry J. Kaiser's most famed quote, "Find a Need, and Fill-It!" I imagine the Black Ball Ferry Line has crunched the numbers long term, but I can't help wondering if their financial structure allows for the ongoing maintenance of the Coho, but not the purchase or construction of a replacement. The notion of the Coho reaching the age of 100 is pretty cool from a ship enthusiast's standpoint, but I wonder if the annual cost of replacing tired steel and everything else involved wouldn't in the end be far more than biting the bullet and going with a new vessel. I'd be surprised if the Coho could ever be designated a 'national historic landmark' like Lake Michigan's SS Badger. She's not a steamship, doesn't have her original power plant, and is a pretty barebones vessel. Still, there's no denying that if she survives long term, she will be carrying on the tradition of a design that many of us love, and will be a much venerated sight in Victoria's inner harbour. If I'm still around on her 100th birthday, I'll be 103, and I doubt by then she'll have any more of her original steel than I'll have original teeth.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 15, 2020 20:47:40 GMT -8
Guess there's not much mystery as to why Horseshoe Bay is shut down tonight... the EC buoy at Pam Rocks, near Anvil Island, showed gusts of 70 knots, or 130 kmh, at 8pm. Yikes. I'll bet the Bowen Queen is bouncing around in her berth...
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 14, 2020 23:09:14 GMT -8
Watching an ad for Rocky Mountaineer this evening, I was thinking that obviously there is a market for upscale tourist services in this province, but it has to be the right model. Rocky Mountaineer has built on a vision of classic train travel, with a combination of rolling stock and overall experience, cuisine being a key part, that allows passengers to feel that they're not just seeing grand scenery, but getting a taste of what train travel used to be in a bygone era.
V2V had the scenery, but they had a very expensive fare, and their vessel suggested nothing that could connect people to the age of coastal steamers. No dining room, no strolling around a promenade deck... it was more like an adapted airline model... or at least, that's what I gathered from their website, never having taken it.
It was never destined to fly. Or sail.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 14, 2020 21:59:24 GMT -8
A rarity tonight: a cancellation on the Bowen run, due to wind. The last sailing from Horseshoe Bay is cancelled, with the Bowen Queen just doing the last run from Snug Cove. Given the protected nature of Snug Cove and Horseshoe Bay, I'm wondering what caused this. No other routes are cancelled. Whatever the wind direction, I guess they have to get the vessel back to Horseshoe Bay to disembark the crew and be ready for tomorrow morning.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 14, 2020 20:35:01 GMT -8
when premier john was running as just the leader of the opposition, i had a chance encounter with him and asked him to put BCFC back to what it was before. he shook my hand and smiled. my fingers are still crossed... that was a good back/forth argument about the C's vs the Küsten's. i didnt know the AEQ difference was only 10! FWIW, i think what WettCoast said is more accurate than the counterarguments against him. a big dis-improvement for me since 2003 is how there are no more recycle bins for us to make someone else's day with with a free newspaper. stupid profit motive... oh... and the wifi is better!
I suspect that when John Horgan smiled at your suggestion, he was thinking, "We have more important things to worry about". BC Ferries can address the needs of coastal communities, or not, whether it's a branch of the highways department, or a 'private' corporation. In the end, it all depends on direction from the government, and the level of financing. We've been through the question of governance many times on this forum, and I don't much care what the model is anymore. I don't think you can unscramble the omelette that Gordon Campbell made. Take BC Ferries back into pure government management, and Andrew Wilkinson would see an opportunity to scream about the debt that the evil NDP has added to provincial coffers. Horgan is savvy, and probably won't give him that opening. David Hahn used to make out that BC Ferries was a mess prior to 2003, and that the new operating model brought in a golden age for ferries. Hogwash. But we are where we are, and I think BC Ferries is pretty well run, with a new vision from the current government to serve the public much better than under the previous Liberal regime. I hope it continues.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 13, 2020 21:56:12 GMT -8
Please be advised that the Queen of Coquitlam is currently operating 58 minutes behind schedule due to an unexpected delay in our service today. A frozen berth required the vessel to shift berths in Horseshoe Bay.
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=6954
How often does a frozen berth happen? I think that is the first time I have seen that.This might be the most consecutive days for service interruptions... or close to it. And today, it wasn't their operations- it was an accident on the causeway to Tsawwassen. I don't understand why it takes so long to clear a traffic accident, but I guess I don't understand the forensics. I went out to Tsawwassen Mills today, partly to find a place out of the cold for a walk. I was amused to see a massive backup on the south side of the mall, leading to the highway. I suspect it was people thinking, "aha! we'll cut around the mall, and avoid a half mile of the ferry traffic backup! Nope... not when so many others are thinking the same thing.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 10, 2020 18:23:27 GMT -8
The plan with the quinitsa is that it will be taking over the Quadra Queen II and then the Quadra Queen II will become the relief boat and the Bowen Queen will then take over the Quinitsa info from the fulford harbour crew If you're saying Quinitsa is going to replace Quadra Queen II at Alert Bay, you're mistaken. The new Island class boat will be doing that run. Quinitsa lacks the speed and seaworthiness to be up there.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 9, 2020 20:55:19 GMT -8
hello ,I have lived on the coast all my life ,my family homesteaded on harbledownr isd in 1897,i traveled to van. a few times on the cardena ,I built a 1/48 scale model it took 3 yrs ,I cannot seem to insert pics ,help hello al union steamship fans.i am searching for line drawings and upper work drawings for the catala,i have already ,built cardana,but drawings or blueprints for catala seem to be none existent ,can any one help,,thanks I'm guessing that you're probably a member of the BC Nautical History facebook site? You might have a better chance there, since their membership is much bigger, more active, and more historically oriented. I'd love to see your 'O' scale Cardena model... did you get a tutorial on how to post photos?
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 8, 2020 21:56:58 GMT -8
Vancouver echo, I assume you work/worked in the tourism industry from your vast knowledge of the system as pointed out again by you as the market they "were" going after. I met the Campbell family, they struggled to start, put a team together and worked hard on the market place in Vancouver and Victoria to create packages. Yes near the end they were promoting day trips, over night trips and alternate return travel for verity. I know they weren't trying to get day trips from arriving cruise ship passengers as a stop in Vancouver. Perhaps the ones ending a cruise with another day to kill before flying out. The market they wanted, as they heard was in need of a change from the bus - onto ferry, on the cattle cart deck and crowded passenger decks - were the high end tour groups from companies like Evergreen, Trafalgar and Scenic. They wanted to avoid the ferry ( cost and passengers complaints ) and V2V was marketing their groups of 50-75+ each at a time to enjoy their service. Some days between the companies there would be upwards of 4 buses on the ferry for their island tour before heading for Port Hardy and the inside passage or back to Vancouver to the Rockies tour. Some of those companies were getting on board with the idea, passengers wanted to see the island and nature but not with 1000 of other people, some of their passengers were independently taking the trip as the group were in transit to Victoria, other flew or stayed with the tour bus. Not cruise ship passengers, never heard them mention trying to sell that on board the ships, if you know, there would be a huge fee to sell that featured excursion and meet ship times. I took the service as well, I saw there was poor loads, fuel isn't cheap, staff and food on board was great but not cheap, docking fees, rent, office staff and so on. I will leave it at that, no need to continue, you seem bent on getting your point across as an expert in the field. In the end, it failed. Clipper reviews aren't the best either with a lower class of service but in a different market area altogether. Umm... who among us isn't keen on getting their point across? Bottom line, there have been at least three efforts at a Vancouver to Victoria service, using various sorts of speedy vessels. The lesson should be that it will never work, unless someone can perform the Herculean task of putting a grand old steamer type vessel on the route, carrying cars, to re-create the pre-1960s experience. Not going to happen. As someone who is fascinated by ships and willing to try new transportation options, V2V only held mild interest for me. Seemed like a 'neither fish nor fowl' type thing, and apparently, that's what the market eventually decided.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 6, 2020 21:46:12 GMT -8
I wished them well, but I thought it was kind of a weird idea. I still think that the only sort of direct Vancouver to Victoria premium priced service than can work would be something that recalled the old CPR steamers, with an option to bring your car. I don't see that ever happening.
It was amusing, in a grim sort of way, to see the reference to 'double digit growth' in traffic from the previous year. When you're starting from such a meagre mark...
The Nanaimo to Vancouver service is still not imminent. I know the proposed operating model is different, but this news doesn't encourage optimism.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 5, 2020 22:48:04 GMT -8
Oh my.. That is spectacularly hideous.. Really? Is it any worse than the Coastals? I don't think so. Wow... that is big. Taking into account that the average European vehicle is smaller than here, I wonder what the capacity will be.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 5, 2020 22:44:12 GMT -8
I was on Queen of Oak Bay and saw whales near Bowen Island, and the ship was going as fast normal and didn’t alter are corse. Aren’t Captains legally need to slow down and alter corse of travel? and the answer is yes. they must do one, either, or both. ...and it's probably fair to say that although whales were in the vicinity, the bridge crew made the right call regarding the ship's course and the impact it would have.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 4, 2020 20:04:10 GMT -8
I suspect that time is the main factor for most people. I was at Mill Bay, wanting to get to Sidney. It would have been a 70 minute wait for the next sailing, 25 minutes crossing, and probably a 15 minute drive. Definitely a fair bit faster driving around, barring major traffic issues. If one arrives in time to be among the first 20 cars and have tickets - then factor in gas, stress, time and traffic lights, then it can be a savings on money and time. Sometimes missing the ferry is awhile. I have and just slept. I needed a nap. The trip on the ferry is relaxing when you are able to look back at the hit to pass race track known as the Malahat. I just really hope the larger and faster Kahloke will be moved to Route 12 soon in 2020. I would hope that the new Island class vessels mean that the Bowen Queen is freed up for Vesuvius next summer, moving Quinitsa to Hornby, and the Kahloke to Saanich Inlet. Keep in mind, though: the old Kahloke is no faster than the Klitsa.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 4, 2020 13:50:22 GMT -8
As some one who takes it often, 3-4 times per month in the summer, 1-2 times in the winter, it is a great short cut if you make it and time it right. But as in your case, a over load, which happens very often. It is ignored by the BCF system, wrong vessel for sure. Esp in the summer when over loads can count a dozen or more cars. This in turns pisses off the local business on the Brentwood Bay side as it blocks the road and transit. Try seeing it on a long weekend Friday. The Klitsa is cute but the wrong boat, recently for 2 months, the Kahloke was on the run and was able to take upwards up 6/8 more car. Every effort to have this larger ship on the route falls on deaf ears. What many non seasoned travelers don't know about is the pre paid travel tickets which knock off a few dollars for car and driver/passengers. Sold at Thriftys foods in Mill Bay and Saanchton and Sidney. Very much worth the purchase and to have handy, like cash, the crew loves seeing them and speeds boarding process. The crew does collect CASH, Credit and Debit cards and also sells a book of tickets too. In the summer it's very popular with cyclist and thru the winter there are people commuting to work and even school on the route 12. Ive even arrived on time in faint hopes of getting on and I have been lucky and unlucky. But in the end, it does save time and gas by avoiding the Malahat, construction, MVA closures / delays and snow storms Does the cost of the ferry fare equate in a greater savings of cash rather than driving around via the Malahat and Highway 17 to Sidney? By the time you factor in the car and passenger fare for each person in the vehicle? I am referring to the fare without discounts here of course. The average tourist is not going to bother about discounts or prepaid tickets just for a one way trip. Ie to travel from Duncan to Sidney to take The WSF to Anacortes. I suspect that time is the main factor for most people. I was at Mill Bay, wanting to get to Sidney. It would have been a 70 minute wait for the next sailing, 25 minutes crossing, and probably a 15 minute drive. Definitely a fair bit faster driving around, barring major traffic issues.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 2, 2020 18:37:23 GMT -8
Checking the progress of the 'M.V. Sun Rise' daily is quite fascinating as we watch the big boat carrier slog its way up the coast of Mexico, not enjoying the benefits of a "following sea". Not surprised at all that the 'Sun Rise' is sticking fairly close as possible to the coastline. Surely the crew on board are looking forward to a spell on dry land when they get to the Port of Los Angeles. What website are you using? Every time I look at Marine Traffic, it says "vessel is out of range". Haven't been able to track her at all.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 31, 2019 23:33:11 GMT -8
This post makes absolutely zero sense, so I can only assume that someone has had an early start on New Year's Eve lubrication. Although... you mention speakers, and today in my new White Rock condo, I packed Christmas away, and set up my stereo, which had been in storage for several months. Thirty five year old Advent speakers. They sound great! But they still won't bring the poor old Queen of Sidney back to life. 2020 - 35 years = 1985. So your speakers were new in 1985 (see, I can do basic arithmetic). So one has to wonder: What music was played through those speakers when they were new? Wham! was big in 1985, with both "Careless Whisper" and "Wake me up, before you go-go" in the top-5 for the year. Madonna was in the early stage of her long career, with "Like a virgin" as a big 1985 hit. But, you liked public transportation back then. So let me peruse the Billboard Top-100 for 1985 and find the most public transportation-like hit song of the year. ....drum roll please. "Take On Me," by a-ha. Go to the Buckley Bay ticket booth on a Friday afternoon in the summer of 1985, see the big lineup, stride up to the ticket booth and demand "Take on Me" (and the Dung-Bomb too). Hmmh... your mention of what was current in '85 makes me realize they're even older than that. Battered and bruised, with grills that even show the marks from long past uncouth cats. Actually, tonight I played Pentangle, Doors, and Joni Mitchell's 'For the Roses'. So we're back to the '70s. Terrible to be so old. Upside is, I'm still alive.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 31, 2019 22:45:44 GMT -8
So for some reason one of my friends has wanted to make a new company called BC Speakers and has wanted to repair the Queen of Sidney and put it on some random route to compete with BC Ferries. I don't think it would be possible to repair the Queen of Sidney at its current state and I also wouldn't want to see BC Speakers become a ferry company. This post is baffling, so I wonder if someone has had an early start on New Year's Eve lubrication. Although... you mention speakers, and today in my new White Rock condo, I packed Christmas away, and set up my stereo, which had been in storage for several months. Thirty five year old Advent speakers. They sound great! But they still won't bring the poor old Queen of Sidney back to life.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 30, 2019 22:00:05 GMT -8
I think someone is not being entirely realistic in suggesting that they can get another 25 years out of the Coho. I understand that it has been very well maintained BUT, its sixty, going on 65. At some point someone has to say that it is time for it to be retired. The Coho is drydocked every year, from what I understand. That's certainly more than BC Ferries vessels. It may well be that she has a fully 'updated' hull. A year or two ago, I sent an email to Black Ball asking about the plans, if any, to replace her. Never received a reply. The Langdale Queen was retired in '76, at the age of 73. Her hull was still being used as a barge before it sunk about ten years ago, at the age of about 106. If the Coho has been babied and renewed every year in drydock, maybe she is still viable for the next quarter century. Who knows how much steel is still original. Since the run is apparently profitable, the owners might find it cheaper to continually renew the steel rather than invest the massive amount needed for a newbuild. They just have to satisfy the USCG.
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