Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 13, 2012 10:19:12 GMT -8
Has anyone recently noticed that the Vessel Tracking now you can now get Interisland Routes including the Gulf Islands South and North Jervis Inlet up to Port McNeil???
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 13, 2012 10:29:16 GMT -8
Has anyone recently noticed that the Vessel Tracking now you can now get Interisland Routes including the Gulf Islands South and North Jervis Inlet up to Port McNeil??? Yes. BC Ferries website now has vessel trackers for all the routes.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 31, 2012 11:05:14 GMT -8
Ever wanted to Film or Charter a vessel from BC Ferries? Well, you can find that information online now. (Voyager Members: We need to talk... ;D)
I am honoured that they have used some of my photography to promote their vessels on both pages.
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Post by dofd on May 31, 2012 22:23:27 GMT -8
That is a great that they used your photos. Made me go back to look.
As for the charter, depending on the ferry, would be (as you know) more then bus fare. But if you could get about 20 members and 40 of their friends, it could happen. If you want to pay a little more.
Are the operating costs of each of BC Ferries boats public?
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jun 1, 2012 9:23:18 GMT -8
Some of us are known to spend hundreds of dollars on a single ferry trip, so depending on turn-out, this might be something that's worth looking into. Our Voyagers will need to do a lot of research and planning before going ahead with a vessel charter, though.
Unfortunately, the operating costs for each vessel are not public.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 1, 2012 9:58:58 GMT -8
Scott:
Do you think that the new "Filming-on-Ferries" option is a way that BCFerries will start to restrict people like us from doing photography while on the ferry or at the terminal ?
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 1, 2012 10:27:06 GMT -8
I would be surprised to see enough people on here committ to chartering a vessel. Chartering a vessel would mean having to cover all of the costs, and then some probably. This includes covering crew wages, fuel, and any sort of surcharge on top of that.
I'd take a guess that chartering a minor vessel would probably cost in the range of $5,000-$10,000 for a day
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jun 1, 2012 11:24:42 GMT -8
Scott: Do you think that the new "Filming-on-Ferries" option is a way that BCFerries will start to restrict people like us from doing photography while on the ferry or at the terminal ? No, I don't believe so. The filming page is directed more at feature films that make a profit rather than us hobbyists. Plus, cell phone use would have to be banned in order to attempt to restrict photography/filming altogether, and I could only see that happening with a heightened level 3 MARSEC level. I would be surprised to see enough people on here committ to chartering a vessel. Chartering a vessel would mean having to cover all of the costs, and then some probably. This includes covering crew wages, fuel, and any sort of surcharge on top of that. I'd take a guess that chartering a minor vessel would probably cost in the range of $5,000-$10,000 for a day Four hours is the minimum time allowed for chartering a vessel. This, using a minor vessel, is likely all a group of our size could probably afford. I think it's worth at least looking into as costs will likely vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the vessel and routing.
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Jun 1, 2012 12:07:06 GMT -8
If we were able to charter the vessel for the whole day, I think I would be willing to spend about 500 bucks to do so. (I'm not sure about others).
Think about all the neat places we could ask them to take us! Tracking down some of the more recently retired ships would definitely be at the top of my list.
What do other people think?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2012 12:44:16 GMT -8
If we were able to charter the vessel for the whole day, I think I would be willing to spend about 500 bucks to do so. (I'm not sure about others). Think about all the neat places we could ask them to take us! Tracking down some of the more recently retired ships would definitely be at the top of my list. What do other people think? Keep in mind that you would have to charter a vessel before or after the service day, which means you can't go anywhere when there is daylight.
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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 Jun 1, 2012 13:00:43 GMT -8
Can you charter any ship in the fleet?? If we could have a whole coastal or spirit to ourselves that would be awesome! Well who would want to film movies at night? Unless you get a ship that is not in service that day.
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Post by lmtengs on Jun 1, 2012 15:27:48 GMT -8
If we were able to charter the vessel for the whole day, I think I would be willing to spend about 500 bucks to do so. (I'm not sure about others). Think about all the neat places we could ask them to take us! Tracking down some of the more recently retired ships would definitely be at the top of my list. What do other people think? Up Howe Sound for the day would be fantastic. Try out the berth at Darrell Bay, and the one at Porteau, swing alongside Woodfibre, look for the Queen of Saanich around Anvil Island, then head back into HSB or Langdale to end the trip.
Keep in mind that you would have to charter a vessel before or after the service day, which means you can't go anywhere when there is daylight. Not if we were to charter something like the Nimpkish or the Tenaka. They don't have 'set routes', which leads me to believe that when they aren't in service, we could hop the boat up.
Can you charter any ship in the fleet?? If we could have a whole coastal or spirit to ourselves that would be awesome! Well who would want to film movies at night? Unless you get a ship that is not in service that day. Yes, you can charter any ship, as long as it doesn't interfere with scheduled ferry service, just as the website states...
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Post by paulvanb on Jun 1, 2012 16:37:14 GMT -8
If we were able to charter the vessel for the whole day, I think I would be willing to spend about 500 bucks to do so. (I'm not sure about others). Think about all the neat places we could ask them to take us! Tracking down some of the more recently retired ships would definitely be at the top of my list. What do other people think? Up Howe Sound for the day would be fantastic. Try out the berth at Darrell Bay, and the one at Porteau, swing alongside Woodfibre, look for the Queen of Saanich around Anvil Island, then head back into HSB or Langdale to end the trip.
Not if we were to charter something like the Nimpkish or the Tenaka. They don't have 'set routes', which leads me to believe that when they aren't in service, we could hop the boat up.
Can you charter any ship in the fleet?? If we could have a whole coastal or spirit to ourselves that would be awesome! Well who would want to film movies at night? Unless you get a ship that is not in service that day. Yes, you can charter any ship, as long as it doesn't interfere with scheduled ferry service, just as the website states... Sign me up for this one. I'll bring the beer!!! ;D
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Mayne
Voyager
I come from a long line of sinners like me
Posts: 289
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Post by Mayne on Jun 1, 2012 22:26:55 GMT -8
I would be all over this, a private ride on a ferry with a bunch of ferry nuts would a grand day. Who do I send a check to??
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Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 2, 2012 18:51:48 GMT -8
A friend from the Comox Valley told me her high school always chartered the ferry for a grad cruise. I don't know which ferry was there during her time. Her high school and one other joined together. I asked what it cost and she couldn't remember so no help there.
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Post by dofd on Jun 2, 2012 20:58:59 GMT -8
The question is how many would do it?
Thinking 5 to 10 grand, maybe more.....looking at a 4 hour trip.
We would need to invite other people. It could be done. Just need the numbers. Now talking smaller ferry. (fuel will be the big cost)
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Post by dofd on Jun 7, 2012 22:38:54 GMT -8
Just for fun.
Has anyone sent a inquiry to BC Ferries?
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Jul 20, 2012 18:14:40 GMT -8
This isn't about BCF's website, but I thought this would be a good place to put this for comparison purposes. Marine Atlantic just launched its new website. www.marine-atlantic.ca/index.asp. I just spent a few minutes exploring it a bit and I'm extremely impressed with it. It's clear, concise, and all information is easily found in a logical format. The important information, such as current conditions and schedules are right there on the front page. Compare this to the current incarnation of the BCF website. I find BCF's website to be incredibly convoluted and unclear. I can never find what I'm looking for with the first click.. it's always trial and error. Particularly irksome on a phone or other portable device. I'm curious what other people think?
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Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Mirrlees on Jul 20, 2012 18:26:09 GMT -8
This isn't about BCF's website, but I thought this would be a good place to put this for comparison purposes. Marine Atlantic just launched its new website. www.marine-atlantic.ca/index.asp. I just spent a few minutes exploring it a bit and I'm extremely impressed with it. It's clear, concise, and all information is easily found in a logical format. The important information, such as current conditions and schedules are right there on the front page. Compare this to the current incarnation of the BCF website. I find BCF's website to be incredibly convoluted and unclear. I can never find what I'm looking for with the first click.. it's always trial and error. Particularly irksome on a phone or other portable device. I'm curious what other people think? Wow that really is easy to navigate! A site like this sure makes BCFS website look like a hodge-podge with everything all over hell's half acre. I think that BCFS could learn a thing or two from the design of the Marine Atlantic site.
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 3, 2012 13:41:20 GMT -8
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Sept 3, 2012 15:07:02 GMT -8
That has been there for a very long time already. These days, they do the positioning cruises on a bare bones crew to save costs, which means they are not allowed to take passengers. I don't see that changing any time soon, since they would have to charge insane prices to break even on the extra crew.
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Post by Dane on Sept 9, 2012 17:43:27 GMT -8
So, today was the first time I actually looked at BC Ferries' official Facebook page. I hadn't even "Like"d it until today! I know, shocking.
I am curious, though, who manages it? The reason for the question is that it has several deviations from the usual stringent imagine control machine the BCFS has created. Notably there is explicit reference to the Queen of the North sinking (in an area other than financials etc where it needs to be discussed), several images of the Dogwood, and a surprisingly positive outlook on pre-privitization of services. It was the QotN that really got my attention - the rest I attribute to the anniversary celebrations a few years ago.
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Post by Scott on Sept 14, 2012 11:08:03 GMT -8
BC Ferries website has been down for almost 24 hours as far as I can tell, and before that it was having problems. Anyone have a printed schedule??
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 14, 2012 14:20:12 GMT -8
BC Ferries website has been down for almost 24 hours as far as I can tell, and before that it was having problems. Anyone have a printed schedule?? It's been working for me the entire time. Slow as usual, but at least working... In other news... Regarding this banner on BCF's website: BCF is promoting irresponsible behaviour on beaches with this advertisement. The girl is holding the sea star in a way that will kill it. Firstly, she's holding it in a way comparable to lifting up your infant by clutching only one of it's ankles and standing it up on end. There aren't enough contact points, and this puts stress on the sea star's exoskeleton. Second, she's holding it by the end of one of the sea star's legs. At the end of each leg is what's called an eye-spot, which is what the sea star uses to see it's surroundings. when you hold a sea star by it's eye spot, it's comparable to sticking your finger into your small child's eye and lifting it up using the eye socket as your grab-point. When lifting a sea star, stick one finger in each of the sea star's "armpits". Don't touch the eye spots, or the very top or very bottom of the sea star right in the middle, as these are sensitive points on their bodies. BCF, you should be ashamed for promoting this offer with a picture that could prove potentially lethal for BC's marine community of sea stars if a child wishes to copy this girl's acts.
....and that's enough pointless BS-ing for one day... ;D
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 14, 2012 15:41:05 GMT -8
BCF is promoting irresponsible behaviour Hey, in the interests of spotting irony, I think I should defend BC Ferries by saying that they likely accept full responsibility for their actions to that likely-fake sea-star, and that they aren't encouraging others to hold a sea-star like that. Or maybe they understand the issue, but they "just don't care." Yeah, what's with people using websites to promote irresponsible behaviour? Seems to be a lot of that happening these days....
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