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Post by Nickfro on Feb 3, 2009 16:11:29 GMT -8
The Island Sky is on her way back up to Saltery Bay, currently in the Middle of the Strait of Georgia between Nanaimo and Sechelt. It could also be just in case she has to fill in as a relief vessel in the Gulf Islands at any point, as well. I can see the Island Sky acting as a replacement vessel on Route 5 in the near future. She could effectively cover during the refits of both the Cumberland and the Capilano and not decrease vehicle and passenger volumes on any route. The Island Sky goes to Route 5 to replace the Cumberland for her refit and, in whatever order, the Cumberland replaces the Capilano on Route 8 so the Cappy can have her refit. Volumes won't decrease on Route 8, which would be a first during a refit. There is also the option to use the Cumbie's platform decks, if required and if time allows. Furthermore, volumes wouldn't decrease on Route 5 either. It actually would make things easier due to the Island Sky having fixed gallery decks instead of the platform system on the Cumbie.The Bowen Queen can continue to replace the Mayne Queen during refit, as they are a trade-off for passenger and vehicle volumes. No need to up the capacity on Route 5 from what they currently have, especially since a number of their runs are quite empty at times. To me, this scenario seems more likely in the shorter term, compared to the Island Sky running on the Bowen run. They have done all the dock fitting on the SGI and Swartz Bay. Hopefully all dock trials were successful without any additional work required. . .that would pose an issue with what I am predicting here. I don't recall if they took the Island Sky into Snug Cove last weekend when she was spotted in Horseshoe Bay. . .that's info I don't know about. The Chilliwack would cover on Route 7 during any time the Island Sky goes elsewhere.
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Mill Bay
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Long Suffering Bosun
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Post by Mill Bay on Feb 3, 2009 16:42:16 GMT -8
Some critical comment is certainly tolerable but if someone continued to perpetually be critical of a ship under my jurdisdiction (from shoreside or otherwise) the answer to a bridge and/or engineering tour would most certainly be "request denied". Perhaps you are right Paul... however, the crew we've talked to on route 7 weren't all that enthusiastic about the Island Sky either as a replacement for the Chilliwack, and especially not as a replacement for the Tsawwassen. In fact, their shared opinion was that they didn't wanna talk about the Island Sky coming to route 7 because they also seem to be a little jaded about the ship--they also probably have inside information as to the rumors and speculation surrounding it I would imagine. However, that might be an idea, because the bridge, which will most likely be an electronics warehouse anyway, will undoubtedly offer some incredible views seeing as it is so high up perched on top of that extended housing like an ostrich's neck.
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Feb 3, 2009 17:48:49 GMT -8
Perhaps you are right Paul... however, the crew we've talked to on route 7 weren't all that enthusiastic about the Island Sky either as a replacement for the Chilliwack, and especially not as a replacement for the Tsawwassen. In fact, their shared opinion was that they didn't wanna talk about the Island Sky coming to route 7 because they also seem to be a little jaded about the ship--they also probably have inside information as to the rumors and speculation surrounding it I would imagine. However, that might be an idea, because the bridge, which will most likely be an electronics warehouse anyway, will undoubtedly offer some incredible views seeing as it is so high up perched on top of that extended housing like an ostrich's neck. I don't think it's a good idea to be mentioning here that crew on specific runs have been making negative comments about company operations, or vessels. We've heard BC Ferries' pronouncements about that recently, and, on the small chance that someone in head office may be looking in on this forum, it may not reflect well on the employees concerned. As with any company, you have well informed people with valid information, and you have malcontents who like to make the company look bad, no matter what. This vessel hasn't made one revenue sailing as yet, so crew and layman analyses of its shortcomings might be a tad premature.
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on Feb 4, 2009 11:30:24 GMT -8
Well... I suppose that all may be correct... but i never mentioned any names, or even the times and dates the comments were made, so if they want to go back through all the crew rotations just to find out who may have 'talked bad' so that they can turf that particular employee, i think that sort of attitude would be very sad, and would be a reason to question the company's judgement and integrity.
The people we talked to weren't malcontents or disgruntled... they just didn't want to give a definitive opinion on something that they weren't completely certain of, so i think in that way they were speaking in the most informed, diplomatic way possible. However... if they don't want employees saying negative things about the company, then perhaps there shouldn't have to have that atmosphere the suggests that negative things could happen to employees who say things, whether good or bad.
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Post by Balfour on Feb 4, 2009 13:28:44 GMT -8
Good point. Here's another: "on the small chance that someone in head office may be looking in on this forum" That is most likely probably true. In fact one of them [ name deleted] has contributed technical and logistical aspects in regards to the Island Sky and the C. Ferries. The new ferry is within his BC Ferries work balliwick. He visit this forum site regularly. Be careful what you write. This forum is not part of BC Ferries. There can be opinions but always be aware of the audience. Comments made here can come home to roost later. What this forum shows will reflect the relationship with the ferry company. Remember boys, it can take months or years to build up excellent reputations and relationships, but it can less than 10 minutes to be destroyed, and made difficult to recover if at all. I regularly visit another ferry enthusiast website in another country that has an excellent reputation with their ferry company. I've seen that happen all too often in business and politics. You bring up a very good point here, PK. One thing that I should mention is that the views and opinions of of our members, do not necessarily reflect the views of the West Ferries Forum Staff nor Westcoastferries.ca. So far our forum does have a good reputation among a good chunk of the BC Ferries staff and we would like to keep it that way. Does it mean we can criticize BC Ferries? Yes, and we see this almost everyday on the forum and it's what makes for good discussion because not everyone agrees with BC Ferries may be doing and those people are more than welcome to speak up.
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Post by roeco on Feb 7, 2009 21:27:16 GMT -8
Does anyone know if the Island Sky will sub for the Burnaby or Nanaimo when they got in for refits or would they use the Chilli?
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on Feb 7, 2009 22:02:00 GMT -8
Does anyone know if the Island Sky will sub for the Burnaby or Nanaimo when they got in for refits or would they use the Chilli? So far as we know, with the Queen of Tsawwassen gone, the Burnaby would replace the Nanaimo when she would go in for refit which might actually be a challenge for route 9 crews as they are very different ships. As far as the Burnaby goes, if she is down or in refit, then service would either be suspended on the Comox run, or the Queen of Chilliwack would be the replacement, although there are certain logistical issues associated with the Chilliwack doing the Comox run as well.
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Post by Curtis on Feb 7, 2009 22:29:09 GMT -8
Does anyone know if the Island Sky will sub for the Burnaby or Nanaimo when they got in for refits or would they use the Chilli? So far as we know, with the Queen of Tsawwassen gone, the Burnaby would replace the Nanaimo when she would go in for refit which might actually be a challenge for route 9 crews as they are very different ships. As far as the Burnaby goes, if she is down or in refit, then service would either be suspended on the Comox run, or the Queen of Chilliwack would be the replacement, although there are certain logistical issues associated with the Chilliwack doing the Comox run as well. I believe these are the Options from the likely to the unlikely... 1) Use the Queen of Chilliwack (Because she's the only "capable" car vessel) (People will complain about limited passenger services if it's anything like her passenger services on Route 7) 2) Use the Island Sky (Only problem will be if there are high winds) 3) Use the Nanaimo (In Summer) (Use 70-125 Car Vessels on Route 9A) 4) Use two 70-125 Car Vessels (E.G. PRQ, Skeena, Cumberland 5) Use a few "Raised Hull" Vessels (E.G. NIP, Tachek, Tenaka Etc.) 6) Use the Queen of Vancouver (Close off the Upper Car Deck) 7) Use the QPR (Possibly use a 2nd Vessel to relieve at busy times)
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on Feb 7, 2009 23:08:35 GMT -8
Indeed some of those scenarios would be very unlikely indeed... BCFerries would more willingly sacrifice the Comox run long before it suspended service on route 9 or would send the Nanaimo away to fill in for the Burnaby. All the other vessels mentioned are, or will be, operating on their own dedicated routes, and two of them will be retired within months as it is. It is conceivable that the North Island Princess could provide service on both routes out of Powell River, either alternating back and forth off one route to the other, or doing a modified three point route, but she would not be able to carry all the traffic.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 8, 2009 8:00:51 GMT -8
Indeed some of those scenarios would be very unlikely indeed... BCFerries would more willingly sacrifice the Comox run long before it suspended service on route 9 or would send the Nanaimo away to fill in for the Burnaby. To speak like Jack Cascade for a minute: The "Act" (or is it the agreement) won't allow BCFErries to drop the run, even temorarily. Or at least that's what I assume the Coastal Ferry Agreement would say.
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Post by Coastal Canuck on Feb 8, 2009 10:42:12 GMT -8
my guess is Chilliwack in for Nanny, and Nanny in for Burnaby as the Chilliwack can't dock in Comox due to the potential of her RAD's hitting the bottom of the Berth
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Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
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Post by Quatchi on Feb 8, 2009 16:11:34 GMT -8
Nah thew Wack will probably go in place of the Burnaby and the Burnaby for the Nanny. They will have to dredge out the little river terminal a little bit, but there is no way the Wack will Be able to keep the route 9 schedule. The Burnaby is already running at low speeds, so the Wack should be able to keep its schedule. And if they know that it is just sand in little river I could see then pushing the keels of the Wack into the sand. The RADs aren't right in the bow they are about 20m back from the leading edge of the Keel.
Cheers,
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Post by Mike C on Feb 8, 2009 20:40:07 GMT -8
At low tides, I know the Burnaby sometimes scrapes against the sand. I don't think the RADs will be a huge problem.
The Chilliwack shouldn't have any trouble on Route 17... the schedule also allows up to 35 minutes on each end with a few exceptions, so if the Wack is late on arrival, she has the ability to load up and go on time for the next sailing.
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on Feb 8, 2009 22:00:00 GMT -8
my guess is Chilliwack in for Nanny, and Nanny in for Burnaby as the Chilliwack can't dock in Comox due to the potential of her RAD's hitting the bottom of the Berth If they spin the RADS fast enough, the Chilliwack might just be able to dredge out the bottom of Little River all by herself. Maybe if they put corts on the RADs to protect them. If it is just a sandy bottom, the Chilliwack should be tough enough to withstand a little keel scraping.
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Post by Mike C on Feb 11, 2009 20:25:13 GMT -8
For your info, starting February 19th, the vessel listed in Travel Center for Route 7 is N/A. Since it is listed as N/A, don't hold me to any confirmed dates here... but I'm just making a hypothesis.
It is listed as Queen of Chilliwack right to the 18th.
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 12, 2009 19:31:05 GMT -8
This should be a real treat for Sunshine Coast ferry nerds. The Northern Adventure (code named N/A) will soon see service on the Jervis Inlet route. Get your cameras ready.
Seriously, however, I am hopeful that someone here, with camera, will be taking in tomorrow's I-Sky with My Little Eye open-ship. I am looking forward to the write-up & photos.
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Post by Kahloke on Feb 16, 2009 14:41:38 GMT -8
So, does anyone know the date when I-Sky is supposed to enter service, especially now that they've had an open house? It should be pretty soon, right?
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Post by sunshinecoastkid on Feb 17, 2009 14:06:13 GMT -8
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
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Post by Nick on Feb 17, 2009 14:15:04 GMT -8
It's about time they acknowledged that she exists!
I like the photo they found of her... it makes her look skinnier. Maybe she called Jenny?
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Feb 17, 2009 14:54:28 GMT -8
Island Sky is supposed to enter service on Route 7 this upcoming Thursday.
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ProudCanuck
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Post by ProudCanuck on Feb 17, 2009 15:00:45 GMT -8
From the BC Ferries profile page: www.bcferries.com/about/fleet/That is one hurting profile pic! Does not even look remotely close! You can't even say they did a chop job of the Capilano profile
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Post by DENelson83 on Feb 17, 2009 15:20:26 GMT -8
That profile pic doesn't even have the correct shape of the I-Sky.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Feb 17, 2009 15:23:06 GMT -8
From the BC Ferries profile page: www.bcferries.com/about/fleet/That is one hurting profile pic! Does not even look remotely close! You can't even say they did a chop job of the Capilano profile The profile silhouette appears to be a magnified silhouette of the Kuper...
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 17, 2009 17:34:11 GMT -8
BC Ferries is so certain of the 'road' ahead that even on June 24th 2009 the vessel listed as providing service on the Jervis Inlet crossing is the 'N/A'. Me thinks the N/A is supposed to be crossing Hecate Strait by that time.
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Post by ferrytraveller on Feb 17, 2009 18:31:54 GMT -8
island sky starts service thursday feb. 19th just like scott said.
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