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Post by Starsteward on Sept 17, 2015 9:30:06 GMT -8
Sounds like general crew training has been postponed, no new date. Apparently the Thing did not get up to service or top speed of 7.5 and 8.5 knots. The drive cable is rumoured to have slipped on the bull wheels when trying to get past 6.5 knots without even a load on the ferry. Looks like the pretension of the drive cable has been increased beyond the design pretension of 20 tons, which drops the safety factor and suspends more cable, another can of worms. This Forum's learned members continue to amaze me at the amount of in-depth knowledge they share with all of us. The information provided about the various coloured lights, rights of way, depth (or lack thereof) of cables fore and aft of this barge, updates to maps. messages to mariners, etc. are mind-numbing! The concept of deploying a cable ferry across Baynes Sound in order to save a few dollars over the life- span of the vessel, now appears to have been, or will become one of biggest follies in the history of BC Ferries. As our members peel back the numerous layers of the 'B.S. Connector's' technical and operational data and superimpose it within the framework of navigational knowledge and competency held by both professional and recreational mariners, one could arrive at only one inevitable conclusion. This concept's deployment to date has presented numerous possible negative consequences for not only the users of this cable ferry, but for all local and international marine traffic that use this major arterial waterway. Therefore; 1. What are the options facing BC Ferries at this point? 2. Will T.C. put the brakes on this project until they are satisfied that any/all of their concerns have been addressed? 3. As members of this Forum, suggestions or speculations as to what should be done with this 'experimental concept' going forward?
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 17, 2015 7:51:02 GMT -8
Thanks for the posting. The new colour scheme isn't too hard on the eyes but does change her appearance a fair bit. Great to see her still gainfully employed.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 12, 2015 11:55:43 GMT -8
Thanks 'ghYHZ' for sharing the pics on your trip to a part of the country I've yet to visit. I've been hoping that you'd show us some pics of the interior of the 'Madeleine'. A very nice looking ship inside and out. Nice to see shots of other vessels that work on the other side of the country as well.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 11, 2015 7:39:16 GMT -8
Fiji Sun online reports the ex Queen of Prince Rupert (Lomavitti Princess) will soon have a familiar running mate as they report Goundar Shipping has purchased the Queen od Chilliwack. it is expected to sail for Fiji within the month the Fiji Sun reports CONFIRMED! Upon hearing the news that another former 'Queen' would be joining the Goundar shipping family, the 'Lomaiviti Princess', rolling her eyes, sarcastically offered up a perfect royal disapproval: " oh good grief,... not Her!
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 10, 2015 6:30:52 GMT -8
Great location indeed for a 'far as the eye can see' parade of containers. Being an eastbound train, one can only imagine all the various types of goods,most likely Christmas stock on the move to retailers east of Alberta.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 9, 2015 6:05:41 GMT -8
My newest walkthrough tour, Kitsap Transit's M/V Carlisle II, A wooden 1917 Mosquito Fleet remnant that runs between Bremerton and Port Orchard. Enjoy. The M/V Carlisle might be old, but good on Kitsap Transit for the beautiful state of upkeep that shines through in your video. The smell of the diesel engine, combined with layers of paint in the passenger areas, would be a real treat from yesteryear during a trip on the old girl. All that's missing, (unless I missed it), would be a small coffee kiosk. Imagine throwing the smell of freshly brewed coffee into the rest of the olfactory sensual delights?
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 9, 2015 5:54:27 GMT -8
:)after a 1966 QPR meltdown start to my seagoing service, but some later service at Swartz Bay which included Mayne Queen, perhaps my most interesting time was on our replacement vessel at the time, the old Motor Princess/Pender Queen and her old wooden car deck! :)mrdot. Your 1966 'meltdown' ? I was thinking that maybe you were referring to the August 1967 squabble the 'QPR' had with Haddington Reef? Wooden car deck on the early pioneer, 'Motor Princess'/'Pender Queen'. Imagine floating that concept past Transport Canada today.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 8, 2015 17:19:38 GMT -8
Ok Starsteward, it seems you have enjoyed that little taste of the EYE report, here is the link to the rest www.bcferries.com/about/foi/archive.php?y=2013. Scroll down to 13-009. The "Report" is a summary and of the appendices I would recommend B ( wind and waves ) and F ( motions ). Better take something against sea sickness before you start. The "Web Response Letter" 13-014 is also worth reading. The request was about wind data collected by the consultant and used in Appendix B. There ain't no pill big enough to deter a terminal case of seasickness if one dared get serious about trying to digest the entire contents of 13-009. Should one need any further deterrence from poking around in BC Ferries entire 'consultation process' read the $$$$$$$ for data stipulation! One would hope the cost of paying engineering and consultants' fees, is somewhat commensurate with the success of this 'barge on a rope' model of marine transportation.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 8, 2015 12:00:01 GMT -8
I meant to post this yesterday...recently purchased this photo. 63 years ago yesterday. Such a sad event. I'm still not fully understanding why the ship ran aground in the 1950s era. I can understand Islander running around in early 1900s, and Princess Sofia in 1918, because of the era of "no navigation aids." But the 'Kathleen ran aground in the era of modern ships like Chinook, in the era of diesel locomotives, etc. ie. the modern era. Accidents still happen (even in 2006) for a variety of reasons. This one was such a waste of a great ship. The first paragraph on page 197 of Robert D. Turner's " The Pacific Princesses", describes in detail the cause of this accident which led to this vessel's untimely loss. The Princess Kathleen had been equipped with radar as early as mid-1951, and was apparently operating on the night of September 7th 1952. Turner writes: " Shortly after the Shelter Island light was passed, the chief officer, Mr. Savage, ordered a change in course to bring the vessel closer to mid-channel. He ordered simply "starboard," instead of the usual "starboard one-quarter point," which would have brought the ship onto the desired course. He then became preoccupied with the approaching squall and forgot to return the vessel to her original course once she had reached the position he wished. Thus, instead of coming to mid-channel, the 'Princess Kathleen' continued across the channel at her cruising speed of ten knots"...... The words, "simply," "usual," "preoccupied," and "forgot" describe conditions of human behaviour, and in the 'Kathleen's' case, these human behaviours led to the sad loss of this vessel. Until robots can be devised and programed to do the tasks required of humans, the mere existence of any sort of mechanical aids in and of themselves is no guarantee that accidents can't happen. It's the:" what we do," the human behaviours, in concert with the benefits of the latest technologies that may lessen the occurrences and gravity of any mis-adventures that come our way.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 8, 2015 10:20:21 GMT -8
In an attempt to become 'somewhat' more knowledgeable about the trailing cable/depth issue being discussed on this thread, I bravely read the E.Y.E. cable analysis/ technical report posted by 'propwash'. Great posting! The Title, Index and Summary pages were clear sailing. While slowly reading pages three through five, I began to experience slight tinges of nausea as the wind and wave conditions began buffeting my college English Majored brain,....keep reading I told myself, this stuff will either make sense over the course of the next few pages or the sensorial technical overload will lead to a full blown case of gale force wind induced sea sickness. Pages 6 through 9 were within tolerable levels for my brain-trained English major, followed by a slight reprieve while navigating pages 10 and 11. White knuckles weren't evident just yet, until the technical nausea induced by page 12 began to become unmanageable. Grabbing a tissue, I managed to clear my watering eyes as I scanned pages 13 and 14, but quickly realized tissues weren't the answer for the 'Force 10 Greek' I was trying to comprehend. I was now in a state of full blown seasickness...my computer screen weaving one way, I, on my roller chair, sliding quickly to port. A little voice in my English major-brain told me to resist the urge to make the 'porcelain phone call'. Fight it, resist the onslaught of technical nausea, grab onto something solid make my world stop spinning....puulleeze! Then, like a gift from Neptune himself, I managed to navigate my way onto the first of thirty beautiful, comprehensible pages of diagrams which had the effect of ingesting a large dose of anti-nausea medication. The first 14 pages of the nautical engineering survey began to make sense. While I could have been the spared several pages of 'Force 10 Greek', I must apologize for comments I made in earlier postings about folks not having done their homework on this subject. Left unaddressed however is the specific issue of whether or not pleasure boaters are going to be (made) aware of the impending danger of crossing astern of the 'BS Connector' when this vessel is approaching the Denman West dock in particular, or crossing astern at or near Buckley Bay. Being neither an advanced math or science guy, I defer to the Cable Modelling and Dynamic Analysis findings presented by the E.Y.E. Marine Consultants. Thankfully there are math and science folks who can offer comprehensible data for those of us bereft of such credentials. Those folks however cannot lay claim to possessing superior English language writing skills, as becomes evident if one slowly reads the prose sections of their submission. Contained therein is a smorgasbord of errors that would have some old English profs reaching for a red re-fill cartridge for their marking pens. The preceding paragraph, merely suggests that either you can't be good at everything or thank goodness some folks are better at some things than others.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 7, 2015 12:16:32 GMT -8
The 'Rotterdam' was one of the finest looking 'liners' ever to grace the ports of the world. Clean lines, perfect bow rake and nicely curved fo'c's'le gave vessel its graceful 'liner' appearance.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 7, 2015 12:04:51 GMT -8
That's a rather nice colour scheme the Victoria Line was using at the time. Three ships tried, but none succeeded in reviving the 'Maggie's" service on the Victoria - Seattle run.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 5, 2015 23:07:38 GMT -8
Curtis, Your picture number Four is very telling. The freeboard with NO LOAD is 44 inches. It looks like 12 plus inches of stern trim due to weight of wires. Wow! They did not anticipate this. Methinks project is not working out as planned. This sounds like another tid-bit one could tack onto my comments in my Sept. 4th posting, re: competence.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 4, 2015 6:23:10 GMT -8
Why is it stupid, Karl? Are they supposed to design the schedule to suit the five or six hard core ferry fans in the province who want to go to Prince Rupert and come straight back, particularly in the off season? If B.C. Ferries really wanted to make good use of their BC Ferry Vacations staff at that expensive downtown (almost) waterfront office, they could have really done a promotional number in boosting interest and revenue on Route 10 by being a bit more creative! How so you ask? Offering truly remarkably reduced fares in the month of October is hardly within the dead of the Winter schedule. Why do a promotion that is basically an impractical offering for not only those five or six hard core ferry fans but misses a huge target market in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Why not take a page out of yesteryear's schedule and do something like offering a sailing that starts at Tsawwassen, then pick up Vancouver Islanders at Departure Bay, then run North, making the usual stops as required, (gives new tourists an added experience as well), finishing the trip at Rupert where those that have brought vehicles with them can head for Alaska or highway 16 for a circle trip. October shouldn't present any serious winter driving conditions. The southbound trip would leave Prince Rupert one day later, (giving our avid new tourists one night to experience the local hospitality. (To say nothing of putting a few bucks in the pockets of inn-keepers during the low-occupancy season). Southbound trip would end at Port Hardy, then resume the regular sailing schedule. One trip a week in October on Route 10 is no way to grow business, but seems to fit the negative cost-saving model BC Ferries is hamstrung with.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 4, 2015 5:18:59 GMT -8
B.C. Ferries obviously didn't do their "homework", which isn't too big a stretch to fathom, but why the almighty Transport Canada didn't pick up on this operational/navigational issue leaves one to wonder about their competence!
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 3, 2015 12:13:03 GMT -8
Which Northern vessel is in service for October's sale? Dane, from what I could piece together, looking at maybe doing the Northern route 'discount trip', looks like the 'Northern Expedition'. Just an F.Y.I. on trying to do a round trip, Port Hardy - Prince Rupert, it's possible although one is stuck in Prince Rupert for 5 nights between sailings.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 3, 2015 12:00:07 GMT -8
Great photo album of BC Ferries latest 'experiment'! Aside from the fast rescue boat, isn't there any evacuation equipment on this barge? ie. Inflatable life rafts etc. or has this been deemed unnecessary by Transport Canada for this crossing? Looks like each end has an inflatable life raft/evacuation chute device. I was wondering if those square boxy devices were, if that's indeed where the raft/chutes are located.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 3, 2015 7:07:07 GMT -8
Great photo album of BC Ferries latest 'experiment'! Aside from the fast rescue boat, isn't there any evacuation equipment on this barge? ie. Inflatable life rafts etc. or has this been deemed unnecessary by Transport Canada for this crossing?
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 2, 2015 7:24:11 GMT -8
Thanks to the determination of all the folks behind the 'Save the Rotterdam' project, the final resting place of this great Holland America Line liner, is truly stunning! There is no commercial clutter around this exhibit, the greenery ringed car park softens the vehicle intrusion of its visitors,...a peaceful spot for "Finished With Engines".
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 30, 2015 11:43:53 GMT -8
The Nanaimo is going into refit on October 14th-mid December. As always, she will be replaced by the Burnaby, which will be replaced by the Island Sky. Does this mean the Wack is making a comeback on the Saltery-Earls run? The schedule points towards the Bowen Queen being the replacement, but my fingers are crossed. Thanks 'SC Commuter', for this refit news on two more of my 'old-homes'. With the refit swat of these two grand old girls, the travel distance to do my farewell tour will be considerably shorter in distance and a few bucks cheaper.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 29, 2015 7:57:44 GMT -8
Found some rather stunning footage of the crash on Youtube that I've never seen before: Looking back on that very bleak day in BC Ferries history, when the freighter sliced deep into the port side of the 'Vicky', the fact that there was no fire aboard the ferry is truly amazing. Unfortunately three passengers, including a baby lost their lives in this incident but the outcome could have been catastrophic for a least two reasons. With gasoline dripping from the cars on the platform deck and elsewhere, one wee spark could have set off a disastrous chain of events. As a buddy of mine who was a steward on the 'Vicky' at the time recalls, had the freighter sliced into the port side a few metres farther astern, it would have been a direct hit on the cafeteria which at that stage of the crossing would have been filled to capacity. The actions of the 'Queen of Victoria's crew were exemplary when all hell broke loose, their emergency procedures training were carried out with remarkable acts of personal courage. We are forever grateful.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 26, 2015 6:31:13 GMT -8
I'm heading back to Hornby tomorrow after a month away, so if someone doesn't get up there before me, I'll get a picture or two. Looking forward to your first-hand pictures of the 'BS Connector' before she starts service....for however long that may be. Erring on the side of safety, perhaps the 2 Seaspan tugs could hang around for a couple of months, lest the 'Connector' become disabled?
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 24, 2015 6:12:22 GMT -8
On Queen of Burnaby, with the old-skool menu. This heart-stopper is a bacon-cheese combo, and the regular (not double) portion of bacon looks to be a second patty. If I keep eating this, I will in the same condition as the 'Burnaby, when I am 50... 20150822_204639 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Is that a bowl of gravy sitting there beside the burger Mr. Horn? Not having kept abreast of food prices on our cruise ship fleet recently, what did that "Fitness Combo" set you back?
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 23, 2015 8:57:31 GMT -8
....but can he distinguish between the Queen of Vancouver and Queen of Saanich? A couple of years ago he was sent over to Victoria by Athletics Canada to talk to some elementary school kids about what it is all about to be a top level amateur athlete. He travelled over & back on a BC (route 1) Ferry. I asked him "so what boat were you on". He replied "one of those new ones". I believe he was playing dumb. I think over his childhood years he picked up a few things about the world around him & I am pretty sure he can tell the difference between a 'V' & a 'C'. Admitting that you have some clue on such matters might not be cool, however. Congratulations to your son Ben and that remarkable achievement! Your presumption of Ben's hidden ferry acumen is well-founded. He might also passively gather some interesting facts and observations on the new Chinese-built ferries that Rio has in operation during his exciting trip to the Olympics.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 23, 2015 8:35:40 GMT -8
Thanks for this.
I think the vessel upgrade is understandable, but I wonder what has motivated the province to provide a service bump of over 70% on their ferry route, and a fairly significant upgrade to their road infrastructure. I am short on stats for this community/ferry route at the moment, so I can't say for sure, but I get the impression that, had this been a branded part of BC Ferries network, we wouldn't be reading this press release right now. Whatever the case may be, this project stands as an outlier to the rest of the coast.
When Todd Stone waves his magic ferry wand, will the Nicola be getting potable water!? The key is very likely LNG. The Port Simpson area has one or more proposed LNG plants there. Whether or not any of these actually 'happen' remains to be seen. I do believe, 'Wett Coast' that you have hit the nail on the head. Perhaps the good folks affected by the total mismanagement of route 40 should cats about and see if there is some way they could attract an oil pipeline or an LNG plant to their area thereby increasing their chances of reaping the benefits of Minister Stone's magic ferry wand, that does come with the benefits of potable water. The First Nations folks in the Prince Rupert area hopefully realize what 'strings' are really attached to this ferry upgrade et al and drive a real tough bargain and tell Minister Stone he has to return with a much bigger magic ferry wand.
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