Post by Scott on Sept 21, 2005 18:05:36 GMT -8
Although I don’t have any expertise concerning ship design, I thought of a couple things that “should” affect the design of BC Ferries new intermediate vessel. I don’t know if they’d agree, but I’ll see what you guys think.
First, I’m thinking of the routes this ship will operate on. If it’s replacing the Queen of Tsawwassen, she’ll probably end up on the Earls Cove - Saltery Bay route for a lot of the time. It’s quite possible the new ferry would also end up sometimes on the Powell River - Comox route, and perhaps on the Tsawwassen - Gulf Islands route. These are the three routes an intermediate ferry could run on. It’s also possible that one could be used on the Saltspring Island - Swartz Bay route and the Bowen Island - Horseshoe Bay route, depending on the design.
But for the first three routes I mentioned, there are some considerations that need to be made. First, these routes are close to an hour long. Who here would want to spend an hour trip on a Skeena Queen type ferry, or even a Queen of Capilano type ferry? These are good vessels for where they are, but for longer trips, I don’t think they’d satisfy the customer so much. Plus, BC Ferries would be smart if they used these longer routes to make more money. So that means an intermediate-sized ferry should probably have a gift shop and cafeteria. Would that cost more to operate than what they’d make off it?
Secondly, these longer trips that the intermediate vessel would conceivably be used on, there’s the ocean conditions to consider. If it will just be used on the Earls Cove - Saltery Bay route and maybe some of the Gulf Island routes (Bowen, Saltspring) then a Skeena Queen or Queen of Cumberland type ship is okay. But if you’ll be using it on the Powell River run or the Tsawwassen - Gulf Islands run, then it will have to deal with heavy seas in the Strait of Georgia. I don’t think I would want to be on the Skeena Queen crossing Georgia Strait in a winter storm. Or even the Queen of Capilano/Cumberland. I don’t even think they’re certified to do that type of route. I think the Bowen Queen is only allowed to do it in the summer. You’ll notice the minor vessels operating where heavy seas are often experienced have the raised bow to break the seas a bit (ie. North Island Princess, Tenaka, Nimpkish, Quadra Queen II). So I think you should be looking at something with an enclosed deck.
Some of you have mentioned a mini-C class type ship. That sounds pretty good. Maybe something like the old Sunshine Coast Queen. Or like the Queen of Chilliwack. Or a modern version of the Queen of Tsawwassen! I’m looking forward to seeing what it will look like, and I hope it’s not just another Skeena Queen or Queen of Cumberland.
First, I’m thinking of the routes this ship will operate on. If it’s replacing the Queen of Tsawwassen, she’ll probably end up on the Earls Cove - Saltery Bay route for a lot of the time. It’s quite possible the new ferry would also end up sometimes on the Powell River - Comox route, and perhaps on the Tsawwassen - Gulf Islands route. These are the three routes an intermediate ferry could run on. It’s also possible that one could be used on the Saltspring Island - Swartz Bay route and the Bowen Island - Horseshoe Bay route, depending on the design.
But for the first three routes I mentioned, there are some considerations that need to be made. First, these routes are close to an hour long. Who here would want to spend an hour trip on a Skeena Queen type ferry, or even a Queen of Capilano type ferry? These are good vessels for where they are, but for longer trips, I don’t think they’d satisfy the customer so much. Plus, BC Ferries would be smart if they used these longer routes to make more money. So that means an intermediate-sized ferry should probably have a gift shop and cafeteria. Would that cost more to operate than what they’d make off it?
Secondly, these longer trips that the intermediate vessel would conceivably be used on, there’s the ocean conditions to consider. If it will just be used on the Earls Cove - Saltery Bay route and maybe some of the Gulf Island routes (Bowen, Saltspring) then a Skeena Queen or Queen of Cumberland type ship is okay. But if you’ll be using it on the Powell River run or the Tsawwassen - Gulf Islands run, then it will have to deal with heavy seas in the Strait of Georgia. I don’t think I would want to be on the Skeena Queen crossing Georgia Strait in a winter storm. Or even the Queen of Capilano/Cumberland. I don’t even think they’re certified to do that type of route. I think the Bowen Queen is only allowed to do it in the summer. You’ll notice the minor vessels operating where heavy seas are often experienced have the raised bow to break the seas a bit (ie. North Island Princess, Tenaka, Nimpkish, Quadra Queen II). So I think you should be looking at something with an enclosed deck.
Some of you have mentioned a mini-C class type ship. That sounds pretty good. Maybe something like the old Sunshine Coast Queen. Or like the Queen of Chilliwack. Or a modern version of the Queen of Tsawwassen! I’m looking forward to seeing what it will look like, and I hope it’s not just another Skeena Queen or Queen of Cumberland.