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Post by Ferryman on Feb 6, 2007 12:44:36 GMT -8
This was brought up as a rumour several months ago. Now it's official. BCF will take over the Sidney terminal that WSF currently uses, this September. WSF will still continue to use the terminal though. There are no plans to operate any of BC Ferries 36 ships at the terminal just yet, but may plan to in the future. www.bcferries.com/news/files/07-014bcftownofsidney.pdf |
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Post by queenofcowichan on Feb 6, 2007 14:34:32 GMT -8
Although I know BCFS is required to search for other opperators for some of its routes, It boggles my mind why they would want to invest in the Sidney terminal, let alone opperate its ships out of there (if that is a long term possibility). I can imagine the controversary it would create among the passengers of the Mill Bay route if another company takes over the mv Mill Bay and BC Ferries starts a new service out of Downtown Sidney.  |
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Post by Coastal Canuck on Feb 6, 2007 15:31:26 GMT -8
does anyone know if there is even a spare dock at the terminal? (I have never been there.) If there is could that be a passable spot of where they might keep the Northern Adventure until she goes north  |
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Post by kylefossett on Feb 6, 2007 15:32:53 GMT -8
YVR runs other airports around the world so why would bc ferries not operate other terminals
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Post by Curtis on Feb 6, 2007 17:10:59 GMT -8
I guess this Brings BC Ferries to 48 Terminals. The dock is fairly old there right? I guess they'll see faster change to that terminal now. Probably could use another dock. What type of service could BCF start there?
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Neil
Voyager 
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Post by Neil on Feb 6, 2007 17:12:34 GMT -8
This should have all been tacked on to the existing Sidney thread, so we can keep track of that nasty BC Ferries plot to dump WSF from their Vancouver Island terminal.  |
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Feb 6, 2007 17:52:02 GMT -8
I think that BC Ferries could start competition with WSF. They could do a Sidney- Anacortes run. Sidney- Seattle run. or Sidney- Port Angeles.
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Post by lest69 on Feb 6, 2007 21:35:05 GMT -8
The dock is fairly old there right? I guess they'll see faster change to that terminal now. Actually, they just recently finished upgrading the entire dock and ramp. It's now a hydraulic ramp. Here's a photo of the conversion nearing completion:  |
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 6, 2007 21:53:12 GMT -8
The dock has been around since before 1960. They used this location to do docking trials with the Sidney & Tsawwassen in May/June 1960 as in this magazine photo...  DOT Collection |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 6, 2007 22:17:24 GMT -8
Jim: you never cease to amaze me with what you pull out of that bag of "collections" that you have access to.
T H A N K S !
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Post by Scott on Feb 6, 2007 22:21:45 GMT -8
Well, if BC Ferries can operate the terminal and charge WSF for using it, then maybe they can make money off it. I don't know why they would need the terminal for their own purposes. Swartz Bay has a superior location in almost all aspects. It's closer to the islands and mainland and it leads right onto the highway.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 6, 2007 22:57:58 GMT -8
now that is a cool photo Jim of the Sidney in Sidney! Never seen a BC Ferry use that dock before!
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Post by Curtis on Feb 7, 2007 8:15:11 GMT -8
That's probably one of the only times you'll ever see a BC Ferry in a WSF Dock.
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 7, 2007 8:52:21 GMT -8
I think that BC Ferries could start competition with WSF. They could do a Sidney- Anacortes run. Sidney- Seattle run. or Sidney- Port Angeles. No, they couldn't. State law prohibits state owned ferry docks being used by a competitor--actually, I think it is within five miles of a state owned dock. They actually had to create a new law that allowed the passenger only boat to use the dock in Bremerton two or three years ago. B.C. Ferries would find themselves without a place to dock in Anacortes. They could dock in Port Angeles, as that facility is privately owned. I don't see Black Ball welcoming that with open arms, however. I just hope B.C. Ferries keeps the dock workers currently at the Sidney terminal. I'd hate to see those people put out of work.  |
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 7, 2007 17:40:37 GMT -8
Here are some of David Hahn's words at the last Annual General Meeting for BCFS about their involvement in operating the Sidney terminal
From:
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Post by Coastal Canuck on Feb 7, 2007 18:24:09 GMT -8
I found this on the Washington ferries web page!
"The Anacortes/Sidney route will be out of service Sunday January 7, 2007 through Saturday, March 31, 2007. Service will resume on April 1, 2007. To speak with an information agent please call at 1-888-808-7977.
Updated: 2.7.2007, 4:59PM"
so mabey BC ferries could keep the Northern Adventure at the dock in Sidney!
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queenofcowichan not logged in
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Post by queenofcowichan not logged in on Feb 7, 2007 19:21:32 GMT -8
Well that did not take long. According to today's Times Colinest Washington State Ferry's are complaining about BC Ferries Lease of the Sidney Terminal. Apparently they are dissapointed because they had put in for renewal but was given to BC Ferries instead. WSF would not confirm if they will still sail to Sidney. One of the issues is regarding Unions. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 7, 2007 21:08:02 GMT -8
I don't think there's much point to mooring the Nor-Ad at Sidney dock.....as there's much work to be done on her, before she starts service this Spring.
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 8, 2007 19:42:28 GMT -8
Q: does anyone know if there is even a spare dock at the terminal? (I have never been there.) If there is could that be a passable spot of where they might keep the Northern Adventure until she goes north.
A: Yes, I do; no, there isn't.
Q: I think that BC Ferries could start competition with WSF. They could do a Sidney- Anacortes run. Sidney- Seattle run. or Sidney- Port Angeles.
A: Why on God's green earth would BCFS want to run competition on a route that doesn't hardly pay for one operator? Besides, Sidney-Port Angeles would be a run that goes from nowhere, to nowhere. ;D
Fantastic photo of the Skidney, WCK--interesting to note that part of the structure in the 1960 photo is still there; the large open pad on the left of the dock survived the renovation and, while it's accessed only by a gangway, it holds the hydraulic power units for the new slip.
Now that I think about it, I don't know why I'm ever amazed that BC ferries and WSF boats fit the same slips... after all, Black Ball was the root organization...
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Post by Northern Exploration on Feb 9, 2007 7:03:47 GMT -8
With the Coho's long term future in question - could it be that BC Ferries may be positioning for a Seattle run in the future? They would have to set up a secure area for customs and the new screening rules that will come into play on international runs? There isn't much room in downtown Victoria anyways. There isn't enough room in Swartz Bay for such facilities. Just speculation but this terminal would make it possible. And Hahn has left the door open for international service in the past.
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 9, 2007 8:35:04 GMT -8
With the Coho's long term future in question - could it be that BC Ferries may be positioning for a Seattle run in the future? They would have to set up a secure area for customs and the new screening rules that will come into play on international runs? There isn't much room in downtown Victoria anyways. There isn't enough room in Swartz Bay for such facilities. Just speculation but this terminal would make it possible. And Hahn has left the door open for international service in the past. ...on a run that has been tried before and time and time again has proven to be a big money loser? |
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Feb 9, 2007 14:45:01 GMT -8
1 I would be a bit suprised.
2. Definite no
3. They already announced expansion of Swartz Bay so screw that.
4. No.
They probably hope to make money off WSF leasing the terminal from BCFS.
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Post by Mike C on Feb 9, 2007 16:58:51 GMT -8
I found this on the Washington ferries web page! "The Anacortes/Sidney route will be out of service Sunday January 7, 2007 through Saturday, March 31, 2007. Service will resume on April 1, 2007. To speak with an information agent please call at 1-888-808-7977. Updated: 2.7.2007, 4:59PM" so mabey BC ferries could keep the Northern Adventure at the dock in Sidney! Washington State Ferries cancels service to Sidney during the winter schedule. However, that is a plausible scenario. BC Ferries might decide to expand on the terminal, possibly a tie-up berth for ships that just got out of Point Hope?? |
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Post by Dane on Feb 9, 2007 17:21:45 GMT -8
It's in BCFS's mandate to run terminals just like YVR runs the airport. It's a logical fit to BCFS whether or not it's used for our BC Ferries.
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Post by Coastal Canuck on Feb 9, 2007 20:15:30 GMT -8
If Washington State Ferries don't run to Sidney in the winter then where does the Caho go?
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