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Post by markkarj on Jan 5, 2007 21:50:58 GMT -8
One question I have is: why is BC Ferries going with double-enders for replacing the V-class ships (which it seems is primarily what the Super Cs will do)? It just seems that the trend swings from single-ended ships (the original vessels), to double ended (C-class), back to single ended (S-class), and returning to double ended (Super C-class). Any insight is always appreciated
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 5, 2007 23:14:16 GMT -8
My impression with the New Super C Class, and the decision to start building more double ended Ferries.
My impression was that BC Ferries, was starting to notice how efficient the C-Class vessels are. They obviously have the fastest turn around time at the dock, which would allow for a little bit more time for loading/unloading at the dock. I would also assume that the C's are a little bit more fuel efficient, because they don't have to spend 5 minutes backing out of the dock at a mainland terminal, and then another 5 minutes at the Island terminal, trying to do another 180 into the dock.
Though there is a lead with the amount of single ended ships, compared to double ended major Ferries, 5 to 6, just 3 of them can keep up to a C-Class. Also, if a C-Class has one engine breakdown, they can run as a single ender if absolutely necessary, with reduced horsepower of course, and do the 180 degree turns at the docks and whatnot. I've experienced that on the Queens of Alberni and Cowichan a few times over the years.
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Post by Dane on Jan 7, 2007 19:13:36 GMT -8
If everything worked the Super Cs would actually be displacing the C Class in about 5-6 years from now as the FastCats "replaced" the V Class. What you're really seeing a perma-botched long term plan...
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Post by markkarj on Jan 7, 2007 21:45:20 GMT -8
If everything worked the Super Cs would actually be displacing the C Class in about 5-6 years from now as the FastCats "replaced" the V Class. What you're really seeing a perma-botched long term plan... I didn't know this. Is there some documentation/news articles that I could read about it? I guess my question is: when was the decision made then to run the C-class ships for longer periods? Are the mid-life upgrades part of that, or were they a more extensive refit compared to the ships' regular maintenance?
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Post by Dane on Jan 7, 2007 23:19:43 GMT -8
Im not sure if the Cs are staying longer or not, but it would seem common sense that they would be retired younger... but the "Next Generation C Class" (which was a plan basically as soon as the S Class were sailing, and pre-FastCat) was to be the next vessels after the Spirits, but along came the FastCat political game and then we got three fast ferries. At that point the "Next Generation C Class" were held off to be a long term project, but the failure of the FastCats I'm sure lead to the project being expedited.
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Post by hergfest on Jan 8, 2007 2:54:14 GMT -8
One thing to remember is that the C-Class are going to be used a lot less once the Super C's arrive. The only regularly scheduled C-Class run will be Langdale. The rest of the C-Class will only be relief boats, which should extend their lives.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jan 8, 2007 14:53:21 GMT -8
"The rest of the C-class will only be used as relief boats"
So then Duke Point is going down to one boat service after the Super Cs arrive? Is that what you are saying?
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Post by Curtis on Jan 8, 2007 18:06:51 GMT -8
When all 3 Super C Class are finished and begin service it might look something like this in the Summer.
Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay (4 Vessels) Spirit of British Columbia (Year Round) Spirit of Vancouver Island (Year Round) Coastal Celebration (Summer Vessel, Additional Service in Winter) Queen of Cowichan (Summer Vessel)
Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay (3 Vessels) Coastal Renaissance (Year Round) Coastal Inspiration (Year Round) Queen of Oak Bay (Summer Vessel)
Horseshoe Bay-Langdale (2 Vessels) Queen of Surrey (Year Round) Queen of Coquitlam (Summer Vessel, Additional Service in Winter)
Tsawwassen-Duke Point (2 Vessels) Queen of New Westminster(Year Round) Queen of Alberni (Year Round) Can't get a 3rd Vessel unless they Decide to Preserve one of the V Class Ships
In the Winter the Following Ships would be Relief Vessels Queen of Oak Bay Queen of Cowichan Queen of Coquitlam
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Jan 8, 2007 18:12:32 GMT -8
Well, I guess I will have to live with the fact there will be no V's at all . What happened to keeping the Esquimalt? Also, I never thought of it, but that is a little bit of a suprise to see that 3 of the C's will most likely become relief vessels in the summer.
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Jan 8, 2007 18:40:31 GMT -8
I think I heard something about a new vessel for the Tsawwassen-Duke Point run some months back. Can't say too much though....
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Post by hergfest on Jan 9, 2007 0:34:44 GMT -8
I don't consider the Alberni a C-Class, she is her own class.
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Post by hergfest on Jan 9, 2007 11:56:53 GMT -8
I suspect some grandfathering will be done. BC Ferries would have to replace most of its fleet to be SOLAS 90 compliant.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,180
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Post by Neil on Jan 9, 2007 12:59:45 GMT -8
QN Teen: The V's aren't necessarily going to disappear when the super C's arrive. In the AGM video that Graham posted a while back, David Hahn talked of a role for one or more of them, possibly late night service, possibly playing a role in snatching some of Seaspan's commercial business. He was talking about an expansion in service, and not just replacing existing ships. Believe him or not, as you wish. Doug: The new boats for route 30 were mentioned in the Coastal Ferry Services Contract, and were supposed to happen by the time the 'New Westminster was retired, about 2014. The 'Alberni, due to be retired in 2021, would be re-deployed elsewhere.
By the way, for those who think route 30 is all truckers, the Contract also pointed out that in summer, 16% of the passengers are on business. Take away those who might be on business using their cars, and you might not have much more than 10% truckers on board. Although route 30 does carry 25% of BC Ferries truck traffic, the vast majority of people on board are not on business.
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Post by Dane on Jan 9, 2007 15:06:08 GMT -8
10% truckers is like 90% revenue though - deck space to dollars trucks are great to haul.
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Jan 9, 2007 16:35:16 GMT -8
Yeah, I guess it will be interesting to see what happens to the V's!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2007 18:57:17 GMT -8
Just wondering...
What is the traffic like on Routes 1 and 2? Are there frequent overloads and sailing waits, or does this only occur weekends and holidays and during the summer?
Can two Spirits and two C's handle all the traffic to the island year-round with their current schedules?
Maybe when the Super C's come and if there is a need, they could expand or revise the current schedules with the C's and the V's.
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Post by Dane on Jan 9, 2007 20:15:11 GMT -8
The Cs will add a lot of capacity on Route 1. Currently that route is overloaded for a lot of the summer period and holidays - however the overloads are frequent enough that they still maintain all four vessels all year round (hold refit periods) as service ready.
Route 2, with the two vessels, is basically always busy but not often overloaded except again in the summer. The trouble with Route 2 is that there is a lot of really heavy traffic spikes that overload even three vessels running in tandom.
The addition of the Super Cs is roughly a 300 car increase to the fleet's capacity over the Vs they're replacing.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 27, 2008 14:17:25 GMT -8
BC FERRIES WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR COASTAL CLASS DESIGN BC Ferries’ Coastal Renaissance won the prestigious ShipPax Award for Outstanding Ferry Technology for 2008. The new Coastal Class vessel won the international award for taking the double-ended ferry concept one step higher, incorporating an economic diesel-electric propulsion system capable of achieving a 21-knot service speed. “We are pleased to recognize the outstanding technological design features of Coastal Renaissance,” said Klas Brogren, Publisher, ShipPax Information. “BC Ferries and FSG Shipyard have set a new standard for passenger ferries with the innovation displayed in the design of the new Coastal Class vessels.” Over 56 new prototype ships built last year from around the world were considered for the awards. BC Ferries was presented with the award at the recent 2008 Ferry Shipping Conference, attended by over 400 international delegates. “We are extremely honoured to receive this esteemed award for the excellence in design, which demonstrates our commitment to the environment,” said Captain Trafford Taylor, BC Ferries’ Executive Vice President of New Construction. “Coastal Renaissance is fitted with numerous systems to make it one of the most environmentally friendly vessels in our fleet.” ShipPax Information is an internationally recognized marine industry publisher with the largest database of passenger shipping information in the world. ShipPax Award was launched in 1999 as a means to stimulate innovative solutions in the marine industry. ShipPax judges promote noteworthy design features on newly-delivered ferries and cruise vessels. TECHNOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES BC FERRIES’ COASTAL CLASS VESSELS • Hot water generators are fitted with a waste heat recovery system that uses heat from the main engine cooling system to maintain the hot water demand of the ship. • Hi-Fog fire response system uses water instead of chemicals, so it is safe for the crew and passengers, as well as the environment. • The main engine employs highly efficient Flex Cam technology that allows for reduction of smoke. • The vessel is equipped with Transport Canada and IMO approved sewage treatment plants. • Wet waste is sent ashore for composing, dry garbage is compacted onboard and recycling is collected and sent ashore for processing. • Water from rain soaked or snow laden vehicles, which may contain oil residue, is collected on the cardecks and specially processed to reduce any environmental impact. • The vessel meets “COMF+” designation of the American Bureau of Shipping, which means that the ship meets detailed standards of comfort based on physical structure as well as noise and vibration levels. • The ABS comfort class designation was achieved by: o Resilient mounts used for main engines and alternators o Enclosing all passenger spaces with insulation o Using computers to control the air flow in passenger spaces o Installing propellers with skewed blades for less vibration • The vessel is designed to exceed the environmental standards of the Intermational Maritime Organization and US Environmental Protection Agency. • The ships’ four MaK engines are fuel efficient and have a fuel consumption rate of 178 gm/kW per hour. News Release located here
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Post by Mike C on May 27, 2008 14:36:36 GMT -8
Wow! All I can say is a congratulations to BC Ferries and FSG. Take THAT Jumbo Mk II Class...
I still think the V's were better though...
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Post by Curtis on May 27, 2008 16:56:32 GMT -8
Congratulations to BC Ferries and FSG for Accomplishing this. I almost can't believe it. Have any other Ferries won an Award this Big?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 17:03:12 GMT -8
congratulations BC Ferries and flensburger
thats takes some skilled architecture
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 17:04:55 GMT -8
which is the other bcferry ship to win an award my guess is the pacific cats???
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,180
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Post by Neil on May 27, 2008 17:26:44 GMT -8
I want to hear from 'yvr'.
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Post by Balfour on May 27, 2008 17:37:01 GMT -8
congratulations BC Ferries and flensburger thats takes some skilled architecture It's not just Architecture, it's good engineering! Architecture is what makes it pretty, it is the engineering that makes it all work. I'm very pleased for BCF and Flensburger. I've taken 2 round trips on the CR and you can really tell how well built it is just by walking on her. The Coastals will serve us very well for many years to come.
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Quatchi
Voyager
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on May 27, 2008 17:57:08 GMT -8
WOW WOW WOW. I disagree with your evaluation of architecture Coastal Skier. Architecture doesn't just make things pretty it makes them functional as well. ie. door placement and layout. Engineering makes it stand up and operate properly.
Back on topic though. I am pleased to hear of this award going to one of our ships, but am curious as to what the competition was?
Cheers,
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