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Post by Chris City on Feb 9, 2014 20:14:45 GMT -8
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Post by Chris City on Feb 6, 2014 22:56:21 GMT -8
Those are great photos! I was looking around there last week trying to figure out how to get a photo of the Doris, never thought to try by boat
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Post by Chris City on Feb 6, 2014 17:44:17 GMT -8
Quinsam was doing sea trials today off Royal Roads today and then returned to Esquimalt harbour.
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Post by Chris City on Feb 6, 2014 17:32:24 GMT -8
I think that we’ve inadvertently stumbled into cross purposes here. You might have misinterpreted several of my phrases to mean that I’ve a slatheringly rancourous relationship with my employer. I don’t. Seaspan has always conducted itself in accordance with the highest standards of propriety. There have been swings and roundabouts over the years, but overall, the Seaspan experience has been an exceptionally positive one. However… The fleet is far past its Best Before date, and the company desperately needs to make some significant capital investments to stave off a disaster. -The Doris sits in the boneyard, and her fate will be identical to all the other rusty wrecks that have sat there for any amount of time. -Seaspan has a fleet renewal program in place, with the Greg, Fraser Link, and Georgia Link destined for the scrapheap within five years. -They’ve decided to reject the articulated tug and barge nonsense, so anticipate seeing some new vessels plying the Strait before long. -BC Ferries isn’t really a threat: Their capacity is limited, they cannot leave a port in heavy weather, and they cannot carry dangerous goods. Ah ok, sorry about the misunderstanding! Let's move on then.... Thanks for answering my questions! I must say I'm surprised at a couple things: first, I thought the articulated tug and barge system was the way they would be going in the future considering their last new purchase was the Coastal Express. I assumed they would be cheaper to operate. I'm excited that there will be new ferries in the near future, but I'm curious why you don't like the art'd tug and barge? I'm glad that BC Ferries hasn't been too much of a threat, I haven't been a fan of them getting into that service at all. It drives me nuts as I sit through a two sailing wait and watch them hauling all those trailers onto the ferry while dozens of cars get left behind. Another question if you don't mind: is there a date set for Seaspan vacating their downtown Nanaimo property and consolidating at Duke Point? I imagine this will be happening sooner rather than later as Nanaimo has plans for that property.
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Post by Chris City on Feb 5, 2014 16:25:45 GMT -8
Pardon the longueur. Suffice it to say that I have been employed by Seaspan for a distressingly large number of years. Have questions? Fire away. I'm sorry to hear that Seaspan isn't good to work for, has it always been that way, or is it just since Washington Group bought them? Any idea what will become of Seaspan Doris, scrapped or sold? Do you know how much longer the trailer ferries will be used, and if Seaspan will replace them with either new ferries or go with more of the pusher tug/barge combos? How much has BC Ferries drop trailer service hurt Seaspan's, I'm guessing it's pretty significant. Are they doing anything to get those customers back? Thanks if you're able to answer any of these, glad to have you on the forum!
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Post by Chris City on Feb 4, 2014 14:19:41 GMT -8
Spirit of Vancouver Island is sailing north up Haro Strait after leaving Victoria Shipyards this morning. I was hoping to see her sailing off Dallas Road but I was too busy to get away.
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Post by Chris City on Feb 4, 2014 14:11:35 GMT -8
With its motley collection of antiquated ships, Seaspan Ferries is a tottering wreck of an institution. The only thing holding the Doris and the Greg together during their final years in service was the paint that was liberally applied when they went through drydock every two years. Mechanically, the fleet is reasonably sound, but most of the engineers mouth a silent prayer before commencing their shifts. Disgruntled former employee? I've always been more interested in the freight only ships that sail our coast, so any inside info you can share would be greatly appreciated. Welcome to the forum!
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Post by Chris City on Feb 3, 2014 21:55:25 GMT -8
SRY 900 leading a short train from Annacis Island to SRY's Trapp Yard in New Westminster, February 1:
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Post by Chris City on Jan 25, 2014 21:52:06 GMT -8
Hope this is ok!
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Post by Chris City on Jan 25, 2014 21:37:07 GMT -8
Even though she wasn't the main subject, Tachek found her way into a lot of my photos by lurking in the background:
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Post by Chris City on Jan 25, 2014 21:05:13 GMT -8
Sad to see her go, she's been a fixture in Victoria's upper harbour for quite awhile now.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 25, 2014 10:26:06 GMT -8
Tachek is cruising northbound through Haro Strait, not sure of destination. I guess Point Hope is finished with her.
edit: she is docked at Swartz Bay now.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 23, 2014 22:17:54 GMT -8
Hey guys, I'll be in Vancouver next week and I was wondering which bookstores are the best for nautical themed books. I'm mainly looking for any of SC Heals books but I'll get anything that looks interesting. I checked Lawrence Books a couple weeks ago and didn't find what I was looking for. I'm going to try Criterion Books but their prices look a little high. Any help greatly appreciated!
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Post by Chris City on Jan 23, 2014 16:28:42 GMT -8
Seaspan Foam and Charles H Cates XX tow a scrap metal barge from the Schnitzter Steel dock to the BTU in Victoria's Upper Harbour.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 18, 2014 12:17:51 GMT -8
According to AIS, Tachek is leaving Victoria harbour, it's destination is "Sea Trials Race Rock."
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Post by Chris City on Jan 8, 2014 18:20:51 GMT -8
Got the photo I wanted, just wish the weather was better. Seaspan Greg approaching the slip at Tilbury Island after a trip from Swartz Bay, January 7, 2014:
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Post by Chris City on Jan 6, 2014 18:39:56 GMT -8
Seaspan Greg is on the move, looks like she's on her way to Nanaimo. First time she's been in service in a few months. Little Greg Yorke certainly is the runt of the Seaspan fleet. This is why she's the relief vessel. I've always liked the Greg, wish I got to see her in her railcar hauling days though. Hope I can get a photo in the next few days.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 6, 2014 17:34:06 GMT -8
Seaspan Greg is on the move, looks like she's on her way to Nanaimo. First time she's been in service in a few months.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 5, 2014 10:35:01 GMT -8
The Princess Superior is bound for Vancouver Drydock currently. According to AIS, just came out of the river and is heading up the Strait. That should mean that Seaspan Greg will see some action then.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 2, 2014 17:11:26 GMT -8
I've always been interested in the short lived Coastal Express trailer barge. Doing a Google search turns up very little, just a couple of articles, same with image search. I just read in one of SC Heal's books how Seaspan had the barge constructed in order to handle the extra trailer traffic because of the E&N closing the Port Alberni sub, a very interesting fact that I hadn't heard before. Just wondering if anybody has any links to articles, photos, or their own stories about this barge they can share.
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Post by Chris City on Jan 1, 2014 0:43:53 GMT -8
Storm Bandit has just shown up on AIS at the north end of Banks Island heading south. I think Kwuna has been delivered, finally!
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Post by Chris City on Dec 29, 2013 22:56:57 GMT -8
I had no idea that the Kwuna was here. If I had known I might have parked the snowmobile and gone with camera to try & get a pic. Is she still here? I could try for a photo tomorrow morning if she's still around. They may have come up here to fuel up rather than going north to Rupert. At this time of year fuel for tugs is probably unavailable anywhere between Bella Bella & Rupert, except by going inland to Kitimat. They are out by Maitland Island now, they never did dock at Kitimat, just did a loop and then left. Scott is probably right about them waiting out the weather, not sure why else they would do that?
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Post by Chris City on Dec 29, 2013 19:40:47 GMT -8
Normally that would be simply a long, unnecessary diversion, but there must have been a reason for it. If someone knows, we'd be interested in hearing the reason for it. My speculation is that the diversion was to give a photo-opportunity to any ferry photographers resident in Kitimat. A whole new level of photo-op service... But seriously, I have no idea. Does WCK have that much pull?
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Post by Chris City on Dec 29, 2013 18:04:00 GMT -8
Storm Bandit, which is towing the Kwuna, has just sailed through Seymour Narrows en route to Alliford Bay. Thanks for that update. This is one of those northern re-positioning trips that I will be following via SiiTech, instead of in my nerdmobile on Hwy-19. Just wondering if you're still following their progress and can speculate on why they went to Kitimat this afternoon?
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Post by Chris City on Dec 26, 2013 15:39:00 GMT -8
Bowen Queen was the object of my photographic attention on Boxing-day morning. - 12/26/2013 in the early morning hours at the Nanaimo waterfront. Great photos Mr Horn!
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