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Post by Starsteward on Feb 3, 2022 15:39:01 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo finally has been sold to India, the vessel is getting surveyed and all the paper works for the sale was done last week. The vessel will be departing in 3 weeks, just waiting for some of its Fijian crew are in states for vessel inspection. It will be using one engine only due to CPP problem. Its has serves its time in Fiji and finally going to the chopping yard I spoke to Goundar and as he has been a well know person in Fiji for the past 10 year. Goundar shipping has a fleet on 12 ferries and he is going to Japan to look at the Hydro foils . As per Goundar he will be the person sailing it all the way to India, it will take 40 days ,a stop over in Singapore for bunker. He tried to get parts on the CPP from BCF but it was turn down. As per Goundar the scrap metal price are very Good as he is also planning to sell QPR and Chilliwack this year Why would Goundar be taking the vessel to India himself? I thought he was an engineer, not a master. I'm surprised at the remark about scrap metal prices being high... I thought the reason why so much tonnage was languishing unused and undisposed of was the low value of scrapped steel. That's one reason why the ex- Queen of Burnaby is sitting near Fanny Bay rather than the boneyards of Ensenada. I guess it's good that these vessels are going to scrap, particularly since none of the three are fit for the open ocean. Hopefully Goundar is assembling a more suitable fleet. Welcome to the Forum, 'shark'. Mr. Goundar would have to provide a certified crew, including a Master with a deep-sea ticket. Goundar could act as Chief Engineer and they would require an engine room crew. Goundar would also have to provide certified Quartermasters and deck hands. The Indian scrapyards never provide delivery crews for vessels arriving on the shores of Alang, etc. They just stand on the beach near the smoky flares that indicate where they want you to aim for the 'beaching' of the doomed vessel and drop the anchor that has been substantially lowered toward the end of the voyage. When it comes to 'favourite vessels', my hope would be that they sink enroute, obviously with no loss of crew life but I'd rather see a ship on the bottom than cut to pieces by the poor wretches at places like Alang, India.
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Post by Starsteward on Nov 29, 2021 13:20:26 GMT -8
The tug INLET RUSTLER has entered the picture and a small cargo vessel with crane SEA ROAMER is closing in. Hmm, BC Ferries is pulling a rather 'cheeky' slight of hand today, methinks. New artwork announcement for the Salish Heron and move 'rust-bucket Burnaby' to a scrapper in our backyard who has 'already' come under some local scrutiny for messing up the natural environment. Nothing like 'corporate stupidity' eh?
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Post by Starsteward on Nov 29, 2021 12:25:53 GMT -8
The Salish Heron artwork is beautiful. I think this is my favourite artwork of the 4 ships in this class. Here are 2 screenshots from this morning's unveiling livestream: Mike, I agree. While all of the art designs for the Salish class vessels are very unique, Mr. Johnny has hit it out of the park with his design!
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 20, 2021 10:30:25 GMT -8
View Attachmenthere's me sounding the Queen's pull chord off Prevost Island after exiting Active Pass back on Boxing Day 2019 None of your links work, try uploading them to Flickr! His link worked for me.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 13, 2021 14:44:07 GMT -8
I see the V2V Empress is out and about today. A quick run out to Discovery Island and back. Is there any new information as to the operational future of the V2V service?
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 4, 2021 11:14:18 GMT -8
K9 Security has been around off and on for over a decade now for Route 1. When I was sailing regularly (so until the start of Covid) I figure about 10% of my sailings had the dog. K-9 Security is only the name of the company, no dogs were sighted during my travels on either Route 1 or Route 2.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 1, 2021 12:49:35 GMT -8
It's been a year since I was last here. Nothing has changed. Got the same shot of the V2V last Monday evening. Is this vessel still up for sale or what is the status of the operating company?
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 1, 2021 12:46:56 GMT -8
Kwak’wala is an endangered language spoken by the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations of the central coast of British Columbia, and in that language it looks like 'nagalis' might mean 'light'? “when long ago first light came into our world” gila-oł-ex ‘nagalis-ants ‘nalax come long ago light our world (Boas,1947:289) yaleunion.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NicolsonMarianne_PhD_2013.pdftak Good find there 'tak22'. Looks like this wee vessel may well indeed have the most well researched name of ANY BCFS vessel, past or present.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 1, 2021 12:43:41 GMT -8
Rode the QNW on Wednesday night. Chatting with the deckhand, he says the plan is to try and get another ten years out her. Launched in 1964, not sure how possible this is going to be? He said that Covid-19 has put a crimp on any newbuilds. Looks like that $50 million refit is paying off. I guess it'll be a quite a while before the C's get replaced too The Senior Chief Steward I spoke to mentioned that the $50 million refit was a major priority for BCFS as they know that without any large vessel newbuilds on the books, it is vital that the venerable Queen of New Westminster be kept as spiffy as possible...for a hefty price.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 1, 2021 12:39:53 GMT -8
Rode the QNW on Wednesday night. Chatting with the deckhand, he says the plan is to try and get another ten years out her. Launched in 1964, not sure how possible this is going to be? He said that Covid-19 has put a crimp on any newbuilds. I did a circle tour last week starting Monday. TSW- Swartz Bay/ then Thursday did Departure Bay-H.S. Bay. Rode my old Queen of New Westminster and had a long chat with the senior Chief Steward and he too stated that BCFS would like to get another 10 years out of the old girl. And he also mentioned that it has been COVID-19 that has put a huge crimp into the overall BCFS rebuilding plan. Overall, the Q of New Westminster appears to be 'aging gently' but there are certain areas of the vessel that will need constant attention, ie. outside decks and the wiring supports on the 'ceilings' on the car decks. Just wondering if 'paulvanb' noticed the presence of the security guards from K-9 security who were mainly patrolling the main passenger decks but were seen on the outside decks as well ? Returned to H.S. Bay on the 'Queen of Oak Bay' and found her outside decks to be in a bit worse for wear condition than the Q. of N.W. Route 2 also has K-9 Security staff onboard.
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Post by Starsteward on May 28, 2021 21:44:00 GMT -8
Would that be around the time they got different bridges from one another? Yes, not to mention solariums. It's weird how toy-like the ships looked without them. On page 3 of this forum you can see Taku aground, and she really does look like a discarded toy made of wood-cut blocks. The 'Taku' was in need of a wee bit of a rescue when she ran aground and 'B' Watch -QPR, came to her rescue. Speaking of wood, the venerable old girl had a few big pieces of wood, (tree tops) intruding into her foreword lounge. What a mess! Using thick planks, the QPR crew, seamen, stewards, busboys and our First Mate all got into the act of creating a ramp between the two vessels so that we were able to drive many of the cars off the 'Taku' in order to create enough free-board to lift the forward hull off the rocks she had run up on. Once we had completed that task, back to Prince Rupert to clean up and take a full compliment of cars and passengers south to Kelsey Bay.....long, long day but glad we were able to help out.
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Post by Starsteward on May 25, 2021 13:24:02 GMT -8
This is a screen shot from the video.Would this be a pre-delivery run, or the actual voyage? There's no rescue boat on board. I don't think it's a good idea to sail without one. It may be difficult for this vessel to respond to any rescue missions on the way to BC. At least she has inflatable life rafts mounted. Notice the good sized wave breaker at the "bow". Couldn't be designed by one of our FSG friends who kept us up to date on the construction of the Coastal Class ferries. Or was it? Does anyone have the scoop on how crew meals are being prepared and there must be some sort of sleeping accommodations. Can't see pitching a tent on the car deck.
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Post by Starsteward on May 21, 2021 9:25:11 GMT -8
Coming back from Bowen Island this afternoon, the lineups for this weekend were already starting. In the lineup were a couple of vaction trailers and campers. I thought they were not allowed on board at this time? Bowen Island is located within the boundaries of the Vancouver Coastal Health region so travel would be permissible. Within the Lower Mainland people are allowed to travel within/between 2 health regions: Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health. (Vancouver Coastal I believe extends to include Powell River) ... go figure.
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Post by Starsteward on May 20, 2021 9:32:13 GMT -8
Really Interesting they are bringing it to BC under its own power instead of on another ship. Hopefully there is not too much wear and tear on this little ship or things that break on the way. To say nothing about the very minimal 'living conveniences' for the crew members aboard on this wee excursion.
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Post by Starsteward on May 7, 2021 9:05:15 GMT -8
Air Canada did not include 'dates' with this rendition of the A/C logo. TCA started in 1937 so perhaps Air Canada is waiting until the company reaches the 100 year mark.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 26, 2021 14:30:29 GMT -8
April 23 saw another run up to Turn Point and back to Victoria inner harbour. So what's up with the V2V gang? The last deal for sale fall through or?
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 3, 2021 11:01:15 GMT -8
And to think, Mr. Goundar 'was' at one time an 'apparently' well-respected employee of BCFS.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 2, 2021 12:54:11 GMT -8
Those photographs posted by Rory McCourt are VERY difficult to view, I would venture to say Mr. Goundar has succumbed to the age-old combination of running older vessels with a scarcity of on-going funding, leading to a dismal, tragic downward spiral of his entire enterprise that I had hoped would be successful. The picture of the ex-QPR almost made me sick to my stomach.(:
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Post by Starsteward on Mar 22, 2021 7:41:44 GMT -8
Well, a member on the previous page did make some quite bold statements about going forth with such museum efforts - wonder if we'll ever hear back from them... I think that was one of the forum's teen members. Four or five others have chimed in with suggestions to perpetuate the ' Burnaby. I guess they form the start of the lineup of investors willing to make it happen. Their $100, or whatever they're willing to put up, along with, oh... maybe another $50 million or so... might just bring things to fruition. While our young adventurous investors are at it, for a few bucks more I've got a floating restaurant I could throw into the project. I think 'McBarge' could be integrated with the ex-Queen of Burnaby and make a delightful eye-popping new project, problem being, where to put that mess...eh
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 26, 2021 16:43:00 GMT -8
Thanks Tak22 for keeping us posted. Great to get some positive shipping news these days. As the vessels are bound for Tahsis and Hartley Bay, I'm wondering who might be in charge of manning the vessel in Hartley Bay? Great to see new vessels being added to improve safety on our Pacific coast.
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 21, 2021 16:15:07 GMT -8
No. Boondoggle implies incomitance. This is deliberate sabotage. The ships are good. They are efficient, and the right size for what we need. However, they came on-line at the same time as we got a governor who is torching the economy in an attempt to prove that the government cant's function... at doing something the government has more or less successfully done for 50 years. They are being kept in port least they prove they can be successful. Maybe Alaska should join with the several other states currently undertaking 'recall' procedures eh?
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 6, 2021 17:09:20 GMT -8
Does anyone know the state of the Queen of Nanaimo (now Lomaiviti Princess V) right now? Has it been scrapped? Is it sitting at Goundar Shipping doing nothing? Is it still in service? I 'believe' it is still in the active Goundar fleet.
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 3, 2021 13:20:57 GMT -8
This might be at Alder Bay, just north of Beaver Cove, and south of Port McNeill. Using what is left of my grey matter between my ears, definitely not Alert Bay or Sointula. Don't think it is your Alder Bay, but I would still say Beaver Cove. That is definitely not Kelsey Bay either. Where is it that the little N.I.P. is visiting?
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Post by Starsteward on Jan 21, 2021 13:33:15 GMT -8
Oh Dear, here we go again, another bargain hunters' mad delight
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Post by Starsteward on Jan 2, 2021 13:19:37 GMT -8
Found an interesting video on youtube (family video blog) but the second half involves taking a trip on the Lomavati Princess (Nanny). Other than some rust and a new paint job it doesn't look much different than when it was in BC. Anyone have updates about it being sold for scrap? Enjoy the video and happy new year! Once again we are reminded of the 'great divide' between North American standards and the developing world. And yet we complain about the most mundane issues eh?
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