|
Post by Mike C on Nov 24, 2008 18:37:53 GMT -8
So it's official: There will be no more fuel surcharges system-wide after December 19th. All routes except cross-strait routes will be surcharge-free by December 5th. Why they are holding onto the surcharge on the major routes, I don't know. www.bcferries.com/bcferries/faces/attachments?id=75656Exceptions to the Cross-Strait theory: -Comox-Powell River -Tsawwassen-Southern Gulf Islands
|
|
Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
|
Post by Nick on Nov 24, 2008 20:33:08 GMT -8
I don't count route 9 as a cross-strait route, as it is more of an island "minor" route in nature. You're right though, I completely forgot about the PR-Comox route.
|
|
Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
|
Post by Nick on Nov 25, 2008 11:17:11 GMT -8
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2008 Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Southern Gulf Islands
Updated at 10:55 am
Please be advised that the Queen of Nanaimo is suspending service until further notice. Customers are advised to travel to the Southern Gulf Islands via Swartz Bay. Updated information will be provided at approximately 1:00 pm.
For schedule 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 this service suspension.
========================================== Anybody have any idea what's going on with the Nanny? It's not windy, so it can't be weather....
|
|
|
Post by Nickfro on Nov 25, 2008 11:30:32 GMT -8
There was a service notice posted yesterday for this route citing "Possible Delays" on Tuesday November 25th. That notice has since expired. I'm not sure if it was for mandatory drills or inspections, but I wonder if that is playing a role in this service suspension.
|
|
|
Post by gordon on Nov 25, 2008 15:01:01 GMT -8
Service has Resumed on the Tsawwassen Southern Gulf Islands Servicewhit a 3:50(sched 3:25) departure from Long Harbour.
|
|
|
Post by mirrleeskvssm on Nov 27, 2008 13:04:20 GMT -8
In regards to the Nanny, I was working on her at the time, we had a dicey situation with our CO2 system that required us to cancel the sailing until it was rectified. Luckily, nobody got hurt, and after about a 4 hour delay and visits from senior management, TC and others, we deadheaded home to LH, got there about 20 minutes past sailing time for the PM run.....
|
|
Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
|
Post by Nick on Nov 27, 2008 13:18:32 GMT -8
Welcome to the forum!
Thanks for updating us on that. It's good to hear the fire suppression system is back in operation.
I'm curious, what is your position on the 'Nanny? Are you in the engine room?
|
|
|
Post by mirrleeskvssm on Nov 27, 2008 15:24:44 GMT -8
Yep, 3/E
|
|
|
Post by Nickfro on Nov 29, 2008 12:22:01 GMT -8
As mentioned by Karl in the CC In Service thread, the CC has replaced SoVI for two roundtrips today. To add another curveball on Route 1 today, the 11am SoBC sailing is listed as departing Tsawwassen at 1109am, but currently (1220pm) is docked at Tsawwassen. Looks like problems are occurring with both spooks today. My guess is a medical emergency, but who knows.
|
|
|
Post by ferrytraveller on Nov 29, 2008 15:29:43 GMT -8
SOBC had a medical emergency on the 11am sailing and returned to TSAwwassen to deal with it. so she is at least 40 mins behind.
|
|
|
Post by Nickfro on Nov 29, 2008 15:38:31 GMT -8
Talked to my brother. He has a reservation for the 3pm SoBC sailing from Tsawwassen. Turns out someone had a heart attack on board. She is 90 mins behind and they have cancelled the 5pm and 7pm SoBC sailings. After the 3pm run (430-ish departure) she will sit idle at Swartz Bay until 9pm.
|
|
CFG
Deckhand
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.
Posts: 64
|
Post by CFG on Nov 29, 2008 16:22:29 GMT -8
To me it looks like they might be a little tight for dock space at Swartz Bay around 7pm tonight. The SoVI is sitting there until 7pm, the SoBC and Celebration should both arrive from Tsa between 6:20 and 6:45. The Skeena Queen will be at Swartz as well for her 7pm departure. It will be interesting to see how they position all the different vessels. Any guesses?
|
|
|
Post by Nickfro on Nov 29, 2008 16:33:37 GMT -8
The Spirit of VI left for a little voyage around the adjacent islands when the Spirit of BC came into dock at Berth 1 around 2pm. The CC used Berth 2 for its 3pm sailing and while docked, the VI came back into dock at Berth 1. I'm assuming the Skeena used Berth 3 for her 3pm sailing.
I would expect that the Spirit of VI will vacate Berth 1 for the Spirit of BC to arrive and unload around 6pm. Then they will have to swap so that the VI can load up for the 7pm sailing. CC will undoubtedly use Berth 2 and the Skeena will use Berth 3.
I don't recall a time when a Spirit used anything other than Berth 1 to load or unload vehicles and passengers. I could easily be wrong here, as surely in the past, time must have been spent doing some Berth 1 dock or dolphin repair since 1993.
That's my guess, and I'm sticking to it! ;D
|
|
|
Post by johnnytindale on Nov 29, 2008 18:12:43 GMT -8
Talked to my brother. He has a reservation for the 3pm SoBC sailing from Tsawwassen. Turns out someone had a heart attack on board. She is 90 mins behind and they have cancelled the 5pm and 7pm SoBC sailings. After the 3pm run (430-ish departure) she will sit idle at Swartz Bay until 9pm. Thinking along these lines, I was wondering what would happen in a similar scenario aboard the CC (or any other Coastal) given that they have the heli-pads. Would they continue to sail and have the heli-jet pick up the affected passenger? Or would the procedures continue as per status quo with the heli-pad an option only in extreme circumstances? My personal view is that the status quo procedures will remain (turn around to the nearest terminal) do to cost, etc.
|
|
|
Post by Taxman on Nov 29, 2008 18:55:00 GMT -8
Correct me if I am wrong (I'm pretty sure I am not judging by the number of posts which will say "yep" after this) but I am pretty sure that there is not an actual helipad, but rather a drop zone. That is the deck cannot actually support a helicopter, it is just a large enough area that the helicopter can lift/repel people from an overhead helicopter free of obstructions. This is fairly complicated, as is a landing on a ship, so it is almost certain that the status quo will prevail.
|
|
|
Post by Nickfro on Dec 3, 2008 15:46:48 GMT -8
The two Route 2 afternoon-evening round trip sailings on the Queen of Oak Bay have been cancelled today. There will be only 1 ferry on Route 2 (Cowichan) for the remainder of the day. OUCH!
|
|
|
Post by gordon on Dec 3, 2008 17:13:04 GMT -8
The CR is based in Departure Bay why not bring her into service for the remainder of the day?
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Dec 3, 2008 17:27:55 GMT -8
Strictly a guess, but I imagine there is no crew on call, so it would all be OT - so traffic would have to be very high to justify the cost, which would be high, to get an extra vessel sailing.
|
|
|
Post by farout on Dec 3, 2008 20:59:43 GMT -8
why has the oak bay been taken out thoe? mechanical problems?
|
|
|
Post by Canucks on Dec 3, 2008 21:31:22 GMT -8
The Oak Bay hogging up space is creating problems at Horseshoe Bay as the Cappy is now stuck waiting outside the terminal for either the Cowichan of Surrey to leave. Hopefully they can get her moving again or else it may delay everything tomorrow.
On a side note there is now a chance for pictures of 3 C-Class vessels in HSB, if she is there tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by hwy19man on Dec 3, 2008 21:42:02 GMT -8
Strictly a guess, but I imagine there is no crew on call, so it would all be OT - so traffic would have to be very high to justify the cost, which would be high, to get an extra vessel sailing. Still, this is second busiest route and operating this route with one vessel is unacceptable. Waiting four hours for the next sailing and knowing there are two brand new vessels tied up in their berths is absurd. Once again, BC Ferries missed the boat on customer service and reliability.
Here is the service notice and link about the Oak Bay,
Please be advised that the Queen of Oak Bay had to cancel the following sailings: 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm departing Horseshoe Bay and 5:00 pm, 9:00 pm departing Departure Bay.
Customers with reservations on the cancelled sailings will be accommodated on the next sailing and are advised to check in at the terminals according to their original reservation time.
Customers with reservations for the 9:00 pm sailing from Departure Bay can be accommodated on the 7:00 pm sailing or may wish to travel via Duke Point.
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=77166
The Cowichan could be delayed tomorrow as well,
On Thursday, December 4 Transport Canada will be conducting a mandatory safety drill on the MV Queen of Cowichan. As a result, there may be a possible delay with the 3 p.m. sailing from Departure Bay.
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=77167
|
|
|
Post by Nickfro on Dec 4, 2008 11:59:58 GMT -8
Yet another round trip cancellation on Route 2. . .this time it's the Cowichan. Service Notice - Sailing Cancellations - Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay Posted Thursday, December 4, 2008 Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo (Departure Bay) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update as of 11:20 am Please be advised that we have had to cancel the following sailings of the Queen of Cowichan: 10:30 am departing Departure Bay 12:30 pm departing Horseshoe Bay Customers with reservations on the cancelled sailings will be accommodated on the next sailing and are advised to check in at the terminals according to their original reservation time. Non-reserved customers may wish to consider travelling on our Duke Point to Tsawwassen route. For further information please feel free to call toll free 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779). We apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of these sailing cancellations. ___________________________________________________ The Coastal Renaissance has left Departure Bay to free up berth space for the Queen of Oak Bay. I agree with Dane that yesterday's Oak Bay cancellations was probably lack of crew related. However, today's occurance shouldn't be that since the Cowichan sailed her first round trip of the shift. I really don't understand all these cancellations. With the CR and Coquitlam sitting idle, I don't see this as acceptable, especially for the commercial folk that depend on these sailings operating.
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Dec 4, 2008 12:23:14 GMT -8
Yes I wonder what is up with this too. I posted, somewhere, that the license levels for the two vessels (Cow and CR) are for all effective purposes identical, and given the Cow sails with a regular watch (meaning they are trained on the CR), why can't the CR be in service right now? The third to last time Rte 2 lost a vessel (Oak Bay's sewage issues at Departure Bay) they fired up the Cow in three hours. Albeit not totally stored, but it was in service!
|
|
|
Post by corporalrabbinoff on Dec 4, 2008 12:45:27 GMT -8
In regards to the Renaisance: She is now on Sea Trials and according to the RBI she will be replacing the Inspiriation begining tomorrow for about a week
|
|
|
Post by gordon on Dec 4, 2008 13:08:19 GMT -8
I wonder if the CI is having more warranty work don when the CR replaces her?
|
|