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Post by Fenklebaum on Jun 15, 2006 22:54:39 GMT -8
I've not been around the board for a while, (a fact gone unnoticed by most, I am sure) as I'm now working full time for False Creek Ferries until the end of summer. I thought I might pop by, declare my indifference towards you all, and ask if anyone has any questions about the fleet.
Fire away!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 16, 2006 6:49:38 GMT -8
yeah, I noticed your absence of posting....but I did notice you logged-on a few times lurking.
Sorry, no questions about false-creek-ferries.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 16, 2006 7:10:18 GMT -8
Can we go for a tour??  ;D |
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Post by Mike C on Jun 16, 2006 10:11:01 GMT -8
What's there to tour on a False Creek Ferry? The moment you step aboard, you're on the bridge. you ride 5 seconds and you know the ship inside-out.
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Post by Curtis on Jun 17, 2006 11:39:34 GMT -8
Yeah thats what makes them so intrestingly funny
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Post by Scott on Jun 27, 2006 21:38:50 GMT -8
What kind of training do you need and what are the hours/work schedule like? And how much do they pay?  How many are in the fleet and what are the ships named after? |
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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 30, 2006 10:13:01 GMT -8
It would be fun to drive one of those boats around all day, lol!
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Post by Fenklebaum on Jun 30, 2006 18:06:37 GMT -8
Most of the boats ARE a barrel of monkeys to drive, Karl.
There are ten boats in the fleet, all but one of which fall into two classes; the 'Spirit' class and the 'Balfry' class. Some morning I'll wake up and remember to take my camera with me to work; I've been meaning to document the fleet for you folks for some time now. In any case, here's the list:
"Sheelagh Mary" - The last surviving member of the 'originals'; named for the wife of the company's founder.
-Spirit Class-
"MV Spirit of False Creek I" - The very first 'waterbug' ever built. Confusing as hell to drive when you're learning the ropes, but once you've the hang of her, she's a dream.
"MV Spirit of False Creek II" - The smoothest running of all the spirits, both she and 'Spirit I' retain their original wood seats.
"MV Spirit of False Creek III" - Reliable. Spirits III, IV and V all have newer plastic seats which I find quite ugly.
"MV Spirit of False Creek IV" - It takes a long time to get the engine running at full, but she's probably the fastest boat in the fleet.
"MV Spirit of False Creek V" Very similar to 'Spirit III' in both appearance and handling.
-Balfry Class-
"MV Spirit of Cy Balfry" - Named for a friend of the company's founder. The 'Balfry', 'Nora' and 'George' can, with a deckhand, seat 20 people as opposed to the 12 permitted on the other ferries.
"MV Spirit of Nora O'Grady" - Named for a passenger in the company's early days. The 'Nora' and the 'Balfry' were both brought up from San Francisco where they worked as water-taxis.
"MV Spirit of George McInnis" - Named for the late founder of the company.
"MV Spirit of False Creek X" - The newest vessel in the fleet.
To skipper for FCF one needs a Pleasure Craft Operator's License (which is a total joke, as a brain-dead spider monkey could pass the test), Restricted VHF Marine Radio License (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie...), First Aid Training and MED A3 (come 2007), as well as experience both with boats and in the service industry.
The pay begins at $10.00/hr., and shifts usually go for 8-10 hours.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 30, 2006 21:45:24 GMT -8
You need a pleasure craft operators card to operate one of those?!?! Wow, I'm a third of the way there already. Man I'm in the wrong business if I can make the same there as I can roofing....Ohh, I would love to work there. Is the False Creek Ferries company hiring at all?
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Post by BrianWilliams on Jul 4, 2006 23:12:34 GMT -8
Thanks for explaining the names! Can you describe the boats' design in another post? I have always assumed they're based on boomboats, though with fibreglass rather than steel hulls. The waterbugs' exceptional maneuverability is like their workboat cousins. Have FCF and Aquabus bought their newer boats from the same builder, or do they have 'em custom made from similar plans? Now, big thanks to FCF and the City of Vancouver. Saturday morning, Canada Day; I dragged Jeannie and our dogs down to Sunset Beach. She wanted to ramble in a quiet forest on the North Shore. Nope! We're going downtown to join the flag-waving hoopla, I insisted. Well, just perfect. At 10 am we parked at Sunset Beach, and turned the pups loose at the dog beach - whoo-hoo. Our first encounter was with two (!) Schipperkes on the beach. Holy-moly. We've met one Schipperke every two years, on average, in our 8 years of Schipperke companionship. So on this Canada Day, we've used our quota until 2008. Puppy Mowgli is a cousin of our Bo and Virginia, born in BC:  Older Kipper is a rescue from Idaho.  The very best story of the day, a point I have made on an international dog forum: Vancouver city has several all-year dog beaches. Two are Sunset and Kits Point in the heart of the city ... and they are connected by False Creek Ferries. Free and friendly rides for dogs (humans pay a modest $2.50). Americans, Brits and Europeans are amazed at the beauty, of course, but are really envious of our happy waterbug service. Europeans ride their transit with pets without hassle, but most don't have little sea cruises like ours. False Creek Ferries and Aquabus are shining stars in Vancouver's constellation of attractions.  |
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Post by BrianWilliams on Jul 5, 2006 1:12:42 GMT -8
Dog photos? Show us a boat! OK ...  |
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Post by Dane on Jul 8, 2006 23:08:18 GMT -8
do you know a really really tall girl named michelle? Im not sure if shes at FCF or the other one, but I went to high school with her.
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Post by Fenklebaum on Jul 8, 2006 23:21:23 GMT -8
*grins* Michelle is one of my favourite people at FCF. And that's a nice shot you have of Spirit 2 there, Brian
The older boats (Spirits I, II, III, IV & V) were designed by a chap by the name of Benford, if I'm not mistaken, and were explicitly designed as ferries. I don't believe they were adapted from boomboats, however I could be mistaken. In any case, I will endeavour to get back to you on this one with more detailed answers.
As for the newer vessels, the Balfry class of FCF is based on the 'Sprit of Cy Balfry' (which I sometimes accidentally refer to over the VHF as the Cy Peck, much to the annoyance of the manager I'm sure), which actually came up from San Francisco *I believe* (like I said, I will double check my facts as soon as I can for you).
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 8, 2008 17:11:11 GMT -8
News story www.marketwire.com:80/press-release/Aquabus-Ferries-Ltd-883724.html========= Jul 29, 2008 09:30 ET Vancouver's Aquabus Ferries Converts Vessel to Environmentally-Friendly Electric MotorVANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 29, 2008) - Recognizable on False Creek for its rainbow-coloured passenger and bicycle ferries, Aquabus Ferries Ltd. has furthered its "go-green" initiatives with the successful installation of an electric motor adapted to its 12-passenger, tug-style boat, fully replacing the former diesel engine. The new electric motor is battery-powered and rechargable, using hydro-electric power, thus being a completely carbonless form of energy, free of emissions. The supplier is Asmo Marine of Denmark. Other "green" initiatives of the company have included the modification of four-cylinder diesel engines to two cylinders and the use of a blended bio-diesel fuel. Says owner Geoffrey Pratt, "This boat will not be making visits to the fuel barge. Our foreseeable challenge will be to extend the battery's operating duration between recharging and we will be working with that to make the most efficient and clean energy-consumption transit on the creek." Pratt further mentions that the ride experience is quiet both inside and outside the ferry and that locals can also watch for a solar panel to be added to the vessel in the near future. The new electric-conversion ferry will be officially in service as of Thursday, July 31, 2008, serving the growing commuter population who elect the Aquabus as their method of transiting False Creek. It will ply the company's routes connecting Granville Island, downtown, Yaletown, False Creek residential areas and Science World/Chinatown. Vancouver's downtown neighborhoods, parks, attractions and hotels are all within walking distance of one of seven Aquabus ferry docks. The company will also serve the Olympic Village located on False Creek during the 2010 Winter Olympics being held in British Columbia. Based on Granville Island, Aquabus has been in operation since 1984. In addition to their commuter routes, Aquabus offers an appealing 25-minute sightseeing cruise that circuits False Creek affording breathtaking views of the city and great photography angles for visitors. The company's fleet includes three pontoon vessels, known as "Cyquabuses", designed especially for transporting bicycles and strollers across the waters, seven tug-style vessels and the Rainbow Hunter, a restored historic vessel, all sporting the rainbow motif and skippered by a congenial crew who ensure visitors and locals alike an enjoyable and unique Vancouver experience. Fares range between $3.00 and $6.00 with discount bulk tickets and monthly and yearly special fare passes being available. =============== |
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Post by Ian on May 31, 2009 20:26:05 GMT -8
Hey Fenklebaum, do you happen to still be involved with Aquabus ?
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Post by uricanejack on Nov 4, 2009 18:19:41 GMT -8
Hi
I enjoed a nice our of false creek on the false creek ferry but I usualy liked the aquabus because I could take my bike.
I thught you are required to have a Master minnor water certificate. to run the boats.
There are some simmilar and very nice boats in Vicoria harbour with very friendly folks running them and a very nice tour.
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Post by lmtengs on Nov 4, 2009 18:34:47 GMT -8
Can we go for a tour?? ;D A tour of the engine room would be fun  |
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Post by Fenklebaum on Jan 31, 2010 18:01:12 GMT -8
Hey Fenklebaum, do you happen to still be involved with Aquabus ? To blazes with the Aquabus! I have no time for that company. I can't count the number of times I've been cut off by their boats recklessly trying to beat me to a dock. This past summer their Cyquabus No. 1 spent every day waiting at the Cambie St. Bridge for a False Creek Ferry to head east to Science World. When one came along, the pontoon boat would blast down 30 seconds in front of the ferry and pick up all waiting traffic. Their entire modus operandi consists of trying to undercut FCF. That's not a business plan, it is pettiness. I work for the original company in the creek. I don't know why people always call our blue and white boats 'Aquabuses'. Shows what a catchy name and a gaudy colour scheme can do, I guess. Fenk, irritated |
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Post by lmtengs on Jan 31, 2010 19:40:09 GMT -8
I don't know why people always call our blue and white boats 'Aquabuses'. Shows what a catchy name and a gaudy colour scheme can do, I guess. I agree fully that the AquaBus has a tacky, childish-looking colour scheme. The False Creek Ferries look much more elegant. |
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Post by Ian on May 18, 2010 22:49:03 GMT -8
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Post by paulvanb on Apr 8, 2020 16:18:38 GMT -8
Wow, no one has posted on this subject in 10 years! I had a shoot at Vancouver House, and took quick stroll down to False Creek. Saw the fleet docked, sitting idle because of Covid-19.
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;D
