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Post by ferrytraveller on Sept 5, 2008 20:36:20 GMT -8
lay off employees for what?
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 5, 2008 22:53:02 GMT -8
well yes she is, but.. assuming the layup and decommission the V class. Tsawwassen based crew's are not trained on the Coastal vessels or the 4 C class vessels. That means, the New West is the only option Tsawwassen based crews are trained on the Alberni. It is considered to be a 'C' class. It should not be a big deal to substitute a C1 ( Cow/Coq) in its place.
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 5, 2008 23:04:32 GMT -8
Yeah, they are similar no doubt. That's not the issue. The issue is the difference with Evacuation systems. Tsawwassen crews have had no training with the Marine Evacuation Chutes, that are on the Coq, Cow, Oaky, Surrey. The Alberni however has the Slide type system, instead of the Chute system. I know it doesn't sound that complicated to us, but I believe each and every crew member on the Tsawwassen end of Route 30 would have to be put through the 3 day course (or however long it is) on how to use the Chutes. That could be tough to do on most days right now, because there's a crew for the SOBC, Alberni, Vancouver, and during the summer they had the Bowen Queen there. With that amount of ships to crew out of one terminal, I doubt they would have that many spare crew sitting around waiting for something to do.
Then again, maybe that's not the problem. That's just how I see it, because I couldn't think of any other reasons why it's so prohibitive to use any other C on the TSA end of Route 30.
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Post by Hardy on Sept 6, 2008 18:14:07 GMT -8
If the Evac systems are the case, then would it work to SWAP homeports while the QoA is out? They may temporarily swap the QoNW back, if crew training cannot be accomplished in time. Then again, it is far enough in the future that there are many possibilities for what could happen and what should happen.
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Post by Gordon on Sept 6, 2008 19:32:01 GMT -8
The Queen of Cowichen was on route 30 for a while this spring prior to the CI going into service. Why not just have say the queen of Coq and her crew bases out of Tsawwassen for that month?
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Sept 6, 2008 20:13:55 GMT -8
If the Evac systems are the case, then would it work to SWAP homeports while the QoA is out? They may temporarily swap the QoNW back, if crew training cannot be accomplished in time. Then again, it is far enough in the future that there are many possibilities for what could happen and what should happen. The evacuation systems and training are the case. Tsawwassen crews are not trained on the Coastals and C's other than the Alberni. The New West will not be in service anytime soon. Her crew will need to be retrained once she enters service. Swaping ships randomly through the fleet is a complicated process, it isn't as easy that you may think...
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Post by Hardy on Sept 7, 2008 14:49:06 GMT -8
I did not think that swapping ships was easy, nor did I mean to imply such. I was merely attempting to come up with some other solutions to this seemingly unsurmountable problem that BCFS seems to have created for itself.
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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 Sept 8, 2008 9:33:43 GMT -8
Posted Monday, September 8, 2008 Print Version The Spirit of British Columbia will be removed from service on the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route on Tuesday, September 9 for maintenance. The smaller Queen of Vancouver will be the temporary replacement for the Spirit-class vessel. The Spirit of British Columbia will return to service on Wednesday, September 10. For reservations or additional sailing information, www.bcferries.com or call 1-888 BCFERRY (223-3779).
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Post by Nickfro on Sept 9, 2008 9:03:58 GMT -8
Service Notice - Quadra Queen II Return to Service POSTPONED Posted Friday, August 29, 2008 - POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE -
Beginning at 12:20 p.m. on Friday, August 29 leaving Alert Bay, the MV Quadra Queen II returns to service after her refit where she underwent regularly scheduled maintenance and regulatory inspections.
This work also included a complete rebuild of the starboard main engine and inside and outside painting.
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Post by Nickfro on Sept 10, 2008 14:04:51 GMT -8
Service Notice - Temporary Berth Closure - Prince Rupert Terminal Posted Friday, September 5, 2008
Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Port Hardy (Bear Cove) - Bella Bella (McLoughlin Bay) - Prince Rupert - Prince Rupert - Queen Charlotte Islands (Skidegate) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our terminal facilities, we are making modifications to the dock facilities at our Prince Rupert terminal from November 13 – December 18, 2008.
During that time, BC Ferries will utilize the Alaska Marine Highway dock facilities (adjacent to existing BCF property). The interruption to foot passengers and underheight vehicles will be minimal. However, as this dock does have a maximum gross load limit of 30 Tonnes (compared to the usual 63.5 Tonnes), there is the potential for significant impact to our oversized and commercial customers.
The modifications at Prince Rupert are necessary to prepare for the arrival of the Northern Expedition, which will enter service in spring 2009. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On another note, I see they have modified the appearance of the service notice board, which has made it much clearer to read and understand. I thought, when they changed their website appearance, that the notice board was much harder to find notices for particular routes. This is a good improvement.
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Post by Hardy on Sept 11, 2008 10:40:44 GMT -8
Nick, re the change to the layout of the SN area, I noticed that too, and as going to comment on it today. They have grouped the SN's by ROUTE now, rather than just throwing them out there. I would suggest a further improvement to them of setting the route name out more from the service notice name, perhaps in terms of font/size or colour.
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Post by ferrytraveller on Sept 11, 2008 10:44:32 GMT -8
Posted Thursday, September 11, 2008 Print Version Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Port McNeill - Alert Bay (Cormorant Island) - Sointula (Malcolm Island)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beginning at 9:35 a.m. on Friday, September 12 leaving Alert Bay, the
MV Quadra Queen II returns to service after her refit where she underwent regularly scheduled maintenance and regulatory inspections.
This work also included a complete rebuild of the starboard main engine and inside and outside painting.
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Post by Nickfro on Sept 11, 2008 14:30:30 GMT -8
The Quadra Queen II is currently out and about off of Victoria Harbour. That leaves, at this time, 18 hours before she starts service on Friday.
I know it won't take 18 hours to do the voyage from Victoria to Alert Bay, but how long would it take to make the voyage? I haven't done the math, but would it take about 10 hours at an average speed of 10 knots?
I'm seeking expert knowledge here, and what better place to do so than on the West Coast Ferries Forum! ;D
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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 Sept 11, 2008 15:28:58 GMT -8
According to siitech the QQ2 is just off Odgen Point right now which means she still hasent left he Victoria area. I flew over her this morning at around 11 or so and she was at Point Hope so she must of left this afternoon. Would of been neat to be in the inner harbour when she pulled out!
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Post by Mike C on Sept 11, 2008 15:59:07 GMT -8
Winter is here Service Notice - Tachek to Replace Kahlokewww.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=59713Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Hornby Island (Shingle Spit) - Denman Island East (Gravelly Bay) Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, the regular winter vessel, the MV Tachek, will replace the MV Kahloke on the Hornby Island (Shingle Spit) to Denman Island (Gravelly Bay) route.
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Post by Curtis on Sept 12, 2008 23:31:50 GMT -8
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Post by Variable Pitch on Sept 14, 2008 11:45:51 GMT -8
Mechanical problem cancels ferry sailings Two runs cut on Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route Times Colonist Published: Sunday, September 14, 2008
A mechanical problem aboard the Spirit of British Columbia has delayed one sailing and cancelled two more.
Passengers aboard the 9 a.m. sailing from Swartz Bay didn't get to Tsawwassen until after noon because the ferry was forced to change its route, said B.C. Ferries spokesman Mark Stefanson.
The crew couldn't control the pitch of the propellers, he said, and the ferry was forced to avoid Active Pass and sail south near Saturna Island.
The ferries need speed to navigate through Active Pass safely, he added.
The 11 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen and 1 p.m. sailing from Swartz Bay have been cancelled. People with reservations on the cancelled sailings will be accommodated as quickly as possible on later sailings, B.C. Ferries said in a service notice.
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Post by Hardy on Sept 14, 2008 17:25:31 GMT -8
This seems to be an ongoing problem with SoBC. Instead of trying to "grin and bear it", I think that they need to pull her out of service and get her fixed right, once and for all. It is almost pathetic and laughable to have some of the newer ships in the fleet continually having mechanical problems ...
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Post by Curtis on Sept 16, 2008 10:23:17 GMT -8
Well this was bound to happen...
Service Notice - Sailing Delay
Posted Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Sechelt (Earls Cove) - Powell River (Saltery Bay) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Updated at 8:49 am
Please be advised that the Queen of Chilliwack is currently forty-five (45) minutes behind schedule.
The vessel is not expected to make up the time.
For updated sailing information please call toll free 1-888-BC FERRY (223-3779).
We apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of this delay.
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Post by Hardy on Sept 16, 2008 14:39:08 GMT -8
Seems today was a bad day for Routes 1 and 30 as well. Both vessels on -30 were late on their first sailings (although the CurCon departures page has a funky entry for the Al Bundy outta Tsa!), and our beloved SoBC continues to ooze baling wire and chewing gum as she falls further and further behind and bypasses Active Pass. Hopefully someone at BCFS has the testicular fortitude to finally pull the pin on her and send her to Deas to get repaired properly instead of limping around wounded.
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Post by Hardy on Sept 16, 2008 14:45:24 GMT -8
No service notice on this yet, but the QoV has replaced the ailing SoBC on Rte-1 this afternoon starting with the 1500 out of Tsawwassen. This only makes sense as the SoBC was running at reduced speed and maneuverability and avoiding Active Pass again today (see the posting from 14th as well!) and was continuing to lose time. Finally a good decision by someone at BCFS; hopefully they can get her fixed PROPERLY this time so she lasts more than a half a day on her return!!
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Post by Northern Exploration on Sept 17, 2008 8:38:39 GMT -8
No Service notice yet but the Queen of Oak Bay had its 8:30AM sailing canceled from DPB to HSB. So far no comment on the Horseshoe Bay return trip. The Rennie is of course is sold out for its 10:40 sailing as of 9:30ish Pacific.
* No comment yet on the HSB side but the 12:55 from DPB to HSB is now also cancelled so they must be updating as I type. Rennie is gonna get a workout today. Hope Deck 5 is actually open.
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Post by Nickfro on Sept 17, 2008 8:45:37 GMT -8
Here it is:
Service Notice - Sailing Cancellation - Departure Bay/Horseshoe Bay
Posted Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo (Departure Bay) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Updated at 9:20 am
Please be advised that the Queen of Oak Bay had to cancel the 8:30 am departure from Departure Bay and the 10:40 am departure from Horseshoe Bay.
Underheight vehicle reservations on the cancelled sailings will be accommodated on the next sailing.
For updated information please feel free to call toll free 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) or visit our Vessel Tracking web page.
We apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of these sailing cancellations. __________________________________________________
The Queen of Cowichan is sitting there, so I would suspect that they will make the switcheroo in order to avoid only having one boat on the run. . .at least that would make the most sense. . .I have been proven otherwise lately!
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Post by Nickfro on Sept 17, 2008 10:01:39 GMT -8
The Queen of Cowichan is now shown as the ferry for 12:55 from Departure Bay for at least one round trip.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 17, 2008 10:10:30 GMT -8
Here's the poop on the Oak Bay cancelled sailing: www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=1a956802-a257-4eee-81f7-1d5791f3bffa=========== Sewage backup means cancelled ferry sailings Walter Cordery Daily News Wednesday, September 17, 2008 "A major sewage backup" in one of the men's washrooms aboard the Queen of Oak Bay caused B.C. Ferries to cancel two sailings on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route Wednesday morning. "It happened just as the ferry was pulling in to Departure Bay from the 6:20 a.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay," said B.C. Ferries spokesman Mark Stefanson. "We are seeing if we can get the Queen of Cowichan on that run if we can't get the mess cleaned up in time." Passengers with reservations for any sailings that have been cancelled won't be refunded their money but they will be guaranteed to take the next available sailing, Stefanson said. "One way or another, we expect to be up and running again by 12:55 p.m." © The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2008 ================
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