Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 8, 2008 16:14:32 GMT -8
Apparently the Cumberland dident sail on her 2:15pm sailing this afternoon to Otter Bay. I was out there around 2:30pm taking photos of the Saanich arriving and at 3pm she still hadent left and I looked now and the CC dont show a 2:15pm sailing. And no service notice about it as to why it wa cancelled. He 4:15pm departure to Village Bay looks full though!
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 8, 2008 17:11:37 GMT -8
Sailing Cancellation - Weather Posted January 08, 2008
Updated at 4:48 pm
Please be advised that the Northern Adventure's westbound sailing scheduled for 11:00 pm, January 7, 2008 and eastbound sailing scheduled for 11:59 pm, January 8, 2008 have been cancelled due to weather.
For current sailing information, please call 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) or visit our vessel tracking webpage.
We apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of the weather cancellations.www.bcferries.com/schedules/notices/notice01080801.html
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Post by Nickfro on Jan 8, 2008 18:19:57 GMT -8
Apparently the Cumberland dident sail on her 2:15pm sailing this afternoon to Otter Bay. I was out there around 2:30pm taking photos of the Saanich arriving and at 3pm she still hadent left and I looked now and the CC dont show a 2:15pm sailing. And no service notice about it as to why it wa cancelled. He 4:15pm departure to Village Bay looks full though! If you look in the Southern Gulf Islands schedules area the service notice will appear stating that the Otter Bay Terminal is closed from this morning thru to the first Sailing this Friday for dock maintenance. Not sure why it isn't with the other service notices. I recall seeing it in the service notices back in December. They're supplying a water taxi service for the island to Swartz Bay during this period. www.bcferries.com/schedules/notices/notice12170708.html
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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 Jan 8, 2008 18:35:41 GMT -8
oh ok that explains it then. Forgot that was happening. I thought she was having mechanical problems or something, lol!
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Post by Northern Exploration on Jan 9, 2008 19:58:13 GMT -8
Sailing Suspended - Weather Posted January 09, 2008
Updated at 7:20 pm
Please be advised that the Northern Adventure is holding at Prince Rupert terminal due to extreme weather. An update will be provided at 12:00 am (midnight).
For current sailing information, please call 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) until 10:00 pm, 1-877-223-3778 or visit our vessel tracking webpage.
We apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of this weather delay.
I think they meant to say Port Hardy because that is where the positioning page says the NorAd is. Note: Now corrected
Sailing Suspended - Weather Posted January 09, 2008
Updated at 7:20 pm
Please be advised that the Northern Adventure is holding at Port Hardy terminal due to extreme weather. An update will be provided at 12:00 am (midnight).
For current sailing information, please call 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) until 10:00 pm, 1-877-223-3778 or visit our vessel tracking webpage.
We apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of this weather delay.
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Post by Nucksrule on Jan 10, 2008 15:50:20 GMT -8
Otter Bay Berth Re-OpensPosted January 10, 2008 The Otter Bay terminal will be open commencing with the 2:15 pm sailing from Swartz Bay on Thursday, January 10, 2008. The replacement of the dock apron is complete. Complete Southern Gulf Islands schedule information is available at www.bcferries.com or by calling 1-888-BCFERRY (223-3779) between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm daily. BC Ferries thanks our customers for their patience during period as we continue to work on improving service to the Southern Gulf Islands.
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Post by Nucksrule on Jan 12, 2008 12:39:15 GMT -8
Sailing Delay - Weather
Posted January 12, 2008
Updated at 11:30 am
Please be advised that the Northern Adventure will be arriving into Port Hardy approximately 1.5 hours behind schedule at 2:30 pm. The departure time from Port Hardy remains the same at 6:00 pm.
For current sailing information, please contact 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) or visit our vessel tracking webpage.
We apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of the delay.
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Post by Nickfro on Jan 14, 2008 19:47:19 GMT -8
Sailing Cancellation - Weather Posted January 14, 2008
Updated at 7:22 pm
Please be advised that the Queen of Esquimalt has cancelled the 6:30 pm sailing departing Duke Point and the 9:10 pm sailing departing Tsawwassen due to extreme weather.
Of course she'll have to move out of the way at Duke Point to let the Alberni keep on 'grinding' its way along the route! I've seen wind gusts in excess of 85 blowing out there today, yet the C Class boats keep on sailing. I also just noticed that they have cancelled the last round trip on Route 1 tonight.
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Post by Hardy on Jan 14, 2008 21:23:18 GMT -8
Don't forget that there are differences at the terminals with regards to docking etc, as well as with the routes. HSB-DB is a lot more sheltered than say Tsa-SB. The cancellations on Rte-30 are more to do with Tsa than Duke, although Duke does get battered by winds pretty good where it is...
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 14, 2008 22:44:32 GMT -8
The Queen of Cowichan has sure been having a tough sailing across the Strait. About half an hour ago she passed the Queen of Oak Bay at 14 knots. She hasn't even made it to Entrance Island yet, and is going 10 knots. The Oak Bay has started to slow down as she reaches the middle of the Strait now as well.
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Post by Nickfro on Jan 14, 2008 23:11:55 GMT -8
The Queen of Oak Bay's 7pm sailing was reported as taking 2 hours and 22 minutes to complete the crossing. . .they're definitely having a struggle out there tonight. And, you're right of course, docking in protected locations are a bonus for keeping that run going, not just the type of vessel. I wonder if the Esquimalt is going to give it a run for their 1150 sailing tonight.
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Post by hwy19man on Jan 14, 2008 23:24:29 GMT -8
The Queen of Oak Bay's 7pm sailing was reported as taking 2 hours and 22 minutes to complete the crossing. . .they're definitely having a struggle out there tonight. And, you're right of course, docking in protected locations are a bonus for keeping that run going, not just the type of vessel. I wonder if the Esquimalt is going to give it a run for their 1150 sailing tonight. The Cowichan also took longer on its 1900h sailing. The crossing time was 112 minutes (1hr 52 min). From what I have heard on Victoria radio stations, the 2350h sailing from Duke Point does not look like it will be leaving on time.
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Post by hwy19man on Jan 15, 2008 1:37:09 GMT -8
Seems like the winds are still kicking out there. The Alberni is still out there as of 0140h nearing Duke Point and the Esquimalt is offline. Anybody know what is going on? Edit update: There we go, the Esquimalt is now online and is still docked at Duke Point! A minute later, and the Esq is offline again and on and....
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Post by hwy19man on Jan 15, 2008 2:13:31 GMT -8
Wow! The Q of Esq is finally making its way to TSA after leaving Duke Point at 0148h. I guess the ETA will be 0405h. Major OT for the crew and no overnight maintanence on the ship since it has to be ready to go out again in less than an hour unless the Vancouver takes over the run which is highly unlikely since the Van is in port at SWB.
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Post by Hardy on Jan 15, 2008 8:08:02 GMT -8
Online quickly from work - Kudos to BCFS for running the late sailings on Rte-30. Checked the webcams a couple of times last night while finally tidying up the house - line ups were absolutely OBSCENE from what I could see. To their defense, nothing BCFS can do about the weather, but as I said, kudos for pulling out the late sailings and getting the backlog moved; they could just have easily pooched it and not worried about the 'stranded' travellers.
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Post by Taxman on Jan 15, 2008 18:46:03 GMT -8
Not to poo-poo the greatness of BC Ferries' decision, but it had a ship out of position and a crew out of place, so it was probably cheaper to run the boat on OT than pay the crew to be displaced for the night.
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Post by Hardy on Jan 15, 2008 22:43:17 GMT -8
I didn't say it was "great", but I gave them credit for making the correct choice. Whatever their motivation, it was the correct call to make.
I think that all on this board will agree, I am a tough critic of the "The Queens of Fort Street", but I also point out when they do something right. A lot of what I post about is pointing out that something is broken and griping about how narrowsighted they are. I do, however, try to point out solutions or at the very least post questions meant to get AT answers. I am a strong believer that you can't just complain without taking the time to try to find an answer or solution.
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Post by Scott on Jan 15, 2008 22:46:42 GMT -8
The Queen of Oak Bay's 7pm sailing was reported as taking 2 hours and 22 minutes to complete the crossing. . .they're definitely having a struggle out there tonight. And, you're right of course, docking in protected locations are a bonus for keeping that run going, not just the type of vessel. I wonder if the Esquimalt is going to give it a run for their 1150 sailing tonight. I don't know if it happened yesterday, but I have seen the Route 2 boats go around other side of Bowen Island in stormy conditions. They enter Howe Sound NW of Bowen Island and follow the Route 3 path into Horseshoe Bay. Probably depends on which way the wind is blowing.
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Post by Nickfro on Jan 16, 2008 17:51:00 GMT -8
I also recall that detour being done in the past, but they didn't do that earlier this week. Since it was a NW wind (which is not a typical stormy wind direction), Bowen Ialsnd actually protected the ferries. A friend of mine was on the 7pm Q of Cowichan sailing to HSB. He said that they were heading towards downtown Vancouver, then took a 90 degree turn to the left and went straight towards Bowen (directly into the wind), then took another 90 degree turn to the right when they were close to Bowen. Finally, Bowen protected them from the strong winds and they stepped on the throttle. The 2hr 22 min trip was a westbound trip, and it really had its struggles closer to Nanaimo, averaging a speed of under 10 knots for the 2nd half of the trip. I'm sure the non-seaworthy folk were looking a little green on those trips!
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Jan 16, 2008 22:09:21 GMT -8
I don't know if it happened yesterday, but I have seen the Route 2 boats go around other side of Bowen Island in stormy conditions. They enter Howe Sound NW of Bowen Island and follow the Route 3 path into Horseshoe Bay. Probably depends on which way the wind is blowing. An old friend of the family who used to work for the ferries in the 60s and 70s told me a couple of times they used to do this quite regularly on route 2 when operating in rough weather states with the original V-class, both the stretched and un-stretched ones. (He said that you could see the expansion joints flexing on the stretched V-Class when it was really rough, but I'm not sure how seriously to take that as he is a notorious yarn-spinner.) Apparently they would even operate in conditions a little rougher than what they might do today, even up to gale force conditions with seas in excress of 9-10 feet or more. And at times they apparently even ran the Susy-Q across the strait to Nanaimo when an extra sailing was needed, or maybe because she was more steady in rough conditions.
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Post by Nickfro on Jan 22, 2008 14:51:46 GMT -8
MV Howe Sound Queen Returns to Service Posted January 22, 2008 January 28, 2008
On Monday, January 28, the MV Howe Sound Queen will return to service after undergoing a significant upgrade that included improvements to the passenger lounge, public washrooms and crew accommodation area.
All sailings will remain as scheduled between Crofton and Vesuvius. ____________________________
MV Queen of Cumberland Annual Refit Posted January 22, 2008 January 28, 2008
On Monday, January 28, the MV Queen of Cumberland will be removed from service to undergo scheduled maintenance. This work is expected to take approximately one month.
During this time, the MV Bowen Queen will be the replacement vessel for sailings between Swartz Bay and the Southern Gulf Islands. All sailings will remain as scheduled.
As the MV Bowen Queen is a smaller vessel, overloads may occur. Where possible, passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and consider car pooling, travelling outside of peak sailing times and/or arriving at the terminal early for their desired sailing.
Commercial customers are advised that vehicles over 10 tonnes (10,000 kg) GVW are restricted to centre lane loading only on the MV Bowen Queen. As a result, available commercial vehicle capacity will also be reduced while the MV Bowen Queen is in service.
BC Ferries thanks its customers for their understanding and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. ____________________________
The Bowen Queen continues to do her thing as a relief vessel. This, I believe, will be the 5th route that has used the BQ as a relief vessel since the summer. Anyone know when the Bowen Queen usually has its own refit period? I'm guessing just after the busy summer season, but don't know for sure. I think the Mayne Queen is also due after the Cumberland returns from its refit, which will be the 6th relief task for the BQ.
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Post by coastalcody on Jan 22, 2008 17:11:27 GMT -8
Yeah they desperately need another backup ferry that can help serve the gulf island routes, when needed. That way bc ferries can take more then one island ferry out of service then having to wait because they only have the bowen queen to replace them.
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Post by ferrytraveller on Jan 22, 2008 17:20:19 GMT -8
the bowen queen is quite capable to be a replacement, though it is smaller then the queen of cumberland. That being said, it could be used to add service to the route when needed!
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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 Jan 23, 2008 11:06:14 GMT -8
Spirit of Vancouver Island Maintenance Continues Posted January 22, 2008 The Queen of Saanich will continue as the replacement vessel for the Spirit of Vancouver Island on the Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen route while the Spirit of Vancouver Island undergoes further required maintenance. It is anticipated that the Spirit of Vancouver Island will return to service on Friday, February 1st. Please note that overloads are possible as the Queen of Saanich is a smaller vessel than the Spirit of Vancouver Island. For reservations or additional sailing information, visit www.bcferries.com or call 1-888 BCFERRY (223-3779).
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Post by hwy19man on Jan 24, 2008 0:03:29 GMT -8
Spirit of Vancouver Island Maintenance Continues Posted January 22, 2008 The Queen of Saanich will continue as the replacement vessel for the Spirit of Vancouver Island on the Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen route while the Spirit of Vancouver Island undergoes further required maintenance. It is anticipated that the Spirit of Vancouver Island will return to service on Friday, February 1st. Please note that overloads are possible as the Queen of Saanich is a smaller vessel than the Spirit of Vancouver Island. For reservations or additional sailing information, visit www.bcferries.com or call 1-888 BCFERRY (223-3779). A buddy of mine who works on the SOVI told me that several crew members were surprised of the original refit schedule. In the past, weren't Spirits out for four to five weeks for the refit?
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