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Post by kerryssi on Mar 5, 2008 9:46:04 GMT -8
If you get to the Howe Sound Queen go to the bridge and ask them to blow both horns. The horn in regular use is a truck airhorn, if they want to clear the upper decks they use the ships horn. Residents and passengers complained the ships horn was too loud so they came up with this system.
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Post by Curtis on Mar 9, 2008 0:53:07 GMT -8
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Post by Curtis on May 21, 2008 20:23:51 GMT -8
I recently got around to uploading a recording of the Tsawwassen's Horn from April 19th. Listen to it on Youtube --Here--
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Post by ruddernut on May 22, 2008 10:47:05 GMT -8
Am I the only one who thinks of them as a necessary evil, after getting startled by one while wandering at the top deck of the boat and missing the muddled PA announcement warning of it?
If we didn't need horns, we could have late night sailings, right? How does Washington State manage to have their late night sailings without the noise issues?
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 22, 2008 12:07:40 GMT -8
Am I the only one who thinks of them as a necessary evil,... If we didn't need horns... But horns a traditional part of both classical orchestras and big bands. On a smaller scale, they are part of classical ensembles and jazz combos. And the band "Chicago" (named for a transit authority) used horns with funk/pop in the 70's. Horns are vital to the full sound of music. .......oh wait, you're talking about ferry horns. ooops. Seriously, I've noticed a lack of consistency in the use of horns on the various BC Ferries., both used or not used at all, and also in how they are used. ie. This weekend on minor vessels, I noted that the Powell River Queen toots her horn with a short blast upon leaving both Campbell River and Q-Cove. However the Tenaka doesn't toot her horn at all, when leaving either of it's two terminals. .......now I've got to put my Chicago greatest-hits CD into the stereo, and maybe it'll make me smile.
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Post by ruddernut on May 22, 2008 17:42:59 GMT -8
Seriously, I've noticed a lack of consistency in the use of horns on the various BC Ferries., both used or not used at all, and also in how they are used. ie. This weekend on minor vessels, I noted that the Powell River Queen toots her horn with a short blast upon leaving both Campbell River and Q-Cove. However the Tenaka doesn't toot her horn at all, when leaving either of it's two terminals. I think there might be different requirements based on size and type of boat. AFAIK, the PRQ is bigger than the Tenaka.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on May 22, 2008 21:34:46 GMT -8
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Post by Ferryman on May 28, 2008 21:02:59 GMT -8
Tonight, I'd like to share a new recording. This one is from July 2007, from our Mayne Island Camping Trip. Scott and I had a campsite at the Seal Bay campground, which was just a stone's throw away from Miners Bay, along Active Pass. This was a gongshow day to try and get to Mayne Island, as the Queen of Vancouver broke down that day, which meant a late night sailing for the Queen of Saanich. So there I was, at 10:45 at night, sitting on a long on the beach, listening to the Queen of Saanich go through the Pass to Swartz Bay. By the time she was out of my sight, I heard her horn blasting way off in the distance. Here's what I heard that night. PS: Close your eyes, and turn your speakers up, and imagine the nightime sky, as you sit on the shoreline of Active Pass, and this is what you hear way off in the distance. ferryman.sitesled.com/horns/queensaanichnight.wma
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Post by DENelson83 on May 30, 2008 11:10:27 GMT -8
Those are Morse Code letters, Neil. The first signal is the letter E, and the signal flag for E, , also means "altering course to starboard." Likewise, the letter I ( ) means "turning to port," and S ( ) means "going astern." If you hear two long blasts from a vessel out at sea, that means the vessel has stopped (M, ). Another signal from the ship's whistle while out at sea, three long blasts, is a much more serious signal. It's the letter O ( ), and it means "MAN OVERBOARD!" Those signals, along with C ( ) to acknowledge another ship's signal, are the only Morse Code signals that have the same meanings in signal flags when sounded on a ship's whistle.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on May 30, 2008 12:12:53 GMT -8
Another note:
Three long blasts from a ship's whistle are also often salutes from one ship to another, or communities (new arrival, retirement, final departure from a beloved community, et al). On these pages of this forum, we heard the MV COASTAL RENAISSANCE use this extensively on her arrival date on BC waters from FSG.
I haven't noticed this recently. But, do BCF ferries still use the "fanfare approach" signal on occasion (three shorts and a long blast)?
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Post by DENelson83 on May 30, 2008 12:15:13 GMT -8
Another note: Three long blasts from a ship's whistle are also often salutes from one ship to another, or communities (new arrival, retirement, final departure from a beloved community, et al). Only if there's a significant delay separating each blast. If the ship's whistle sounds three long blasts, one blast immediately after another, that means "Man overboard." The on-board general alarm bell would also sound in sync with the ship's whistle.
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Post by Scott on May 30, 2008 16:20:31 GMT -8
When we were approaching Horseshoe Bay on Sunday on the Queen of Oak Bay, twice, the captain had to warn small boats with several short blasts on the horn both times.
Unfortunately, the irresponsible boaters didn't listen and the ferry bascially had to cut propullsion and change course to let the smaller vessel pass. The second small vessel proceeded to tailgate the ferry for several minutes playing in the wake and coming within 40-50 feet of the stern of the vessel several times. Soon after, another pleasure craft joined in, which I thought was a sure risk of an accident. Eventually the captain cut the engines again so there was no wake to play in and slowly entered Horseshoe Bay. Sorry about going off topic, but this discussion reminded me of the incident:)
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Post by Ferryman on Jul 27, 2008 12:06:04 GMT -8
Today, I present you all a taste of our B-Class horns. Queen of Burnabys horn upon departure at Little River. (She has a 3 chimed horn, yet every single time I've heard it, only the last 2 chimes work. This was apparently an alteration that was made when she was the PMIII, because Seattle didn't like how loud it sounded ) ferryman.sitesled.com/horns/queenofburnaby.wmaNow we listen to her slightly older sister, Queen of Nanaimo. Behold the massive 3 note chord symphony in Active Pass, with great reverb ferryman.sitesled.com/horns/nanaimoactive.wma
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 21, 2009 23:01:09 GMT -8
I guess I'm bored enough tonight, to compile a bunch of horn recordings into one big recording. There's at least one horn, maybe two, from all of the C-Class vessels. Each end of the vessel sounds different from the other. Who can name them all correctly? Winner recieves a personal title below their user rank ;D (Ie: The spot that says "the original Ferryman below my rank stars") ferryman.sitesled.com/horns/c-class.mp3Results will be revealed tomorrow night at this time.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jan 21, 2009 23:17:04 GMT -8
I guess I'm bored enough tonight, to compile a bunch of horn recordings into one big recording. There's at least one horn, maybe two, from all of the C-Class vessels. Each end of the vessel sounds different from the other. Who can name them all correctly? Winner recieves a personal title below their user rank ;D (Ie: The spot that says "the original Ferryman below my rank stars") ferryman.sitesled.com/horns/c-class.mp3Results will be revealed tomorrow night at this time. I will take a stab at this... 1. Queen of Alberni. 2. Queen of Coquitlam. 3. Queen of Cowichan. 4. Queen of Oak Bay. 5. Queen of Alberni. 6. Queen of Oak Bay. 7. Queen of Surrey.
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Post by Mike C on Jan 22, 2009 12:50:44 GMT -8
1. Queen of Coquitlam 2. Queen of Alberni 3. Queen of Coquitlam 4. Queen of Surrey 5. Queen of Oak Bay 6. Queen of Alberni 7. Queen of Burnaby
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 23, 2009 20:17:04 GMT -8
Well, here's the answers. Queen of Coquitlam #2 end Queen of Coquitlam #1 end Queen of Cowichan #1 end Queen of Alberni #1 end Queen of Alberni #2 end Queen of Oak Bay #1 end Queen of Surrey #1 end So Scott got 5/7, but he's a Moderator so he doesn't get a title unless he chooses anyways . Otherwise, since everyone else was "too cool" for my little contest, NewFlyer wins with his 1/7 score
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Post by chinook2 on Jan 26, 2009 17:56:12 GMT -8
I would like to see the old airchime horns restored and installed on the SoBC and SoVI, thus keeping the trademark sound alive--good for ferry nuts, good for marketing.
Also, I noted the CC has a 3 tone horn tuned to the same chord as the 1960s airchimes. Do CR and CI have the same horns??
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 26, 2009 18:42:00 GMT -8
All 3 Coastals do in fact have the same horns. I'm so happy that at least some of the ships are continuing the same old tradition. That 3 tone horn is the sound of BC Ferries. The Northern Expedition also holds the same horns as the Coastals. Even better, the horns are made by Airchime as well, a local manufacturer, that was created by good ol' Bob Swanson. The same guy who built the 10 chimed Oh Canada horns at Canada Place. The only thing about the Coastal and Norex horns, is that they've yet to develope character. But I highly doubt that will happen though, since the horns are operated at the push of the button on the new boats. On the Vancouver, you have the option of pulling down on a big old lanyard hanging down from the ceiling of the bridge, or you can turn a spring loaded valve switch on the bridge console. Compare the differences to sound: Queen of Vancouver in Active Pass. ferryman.sitesled.com/horns/queenofvancouver3.wmaCoastal Celebration in Active Pass ferryman.sitesled.com/horns/celebration.mp3
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Mar 21, 2009 9:18:04 GMT -8
A question came up during an open conversation the other night... when did the Powell River Queen get her three tone horn? Was it an original fitting applied solely to her to make her unique as class leader, or was it something added during one of her subsequent upgrades?
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 21, 2009 13:30:11 GMT -8
I couldn't tell you as to when exactly those were added....but it's not an original fitting. I've often heard that horn get used to let the people waiting in line to start boarding the vessel. I remember questioning those horns as well, the first time I sailed on the PRQ in July 2006. The original horns however, are still fitted on the mast, in the same place you see them on the Mayne and Bowen Queens. I also believe the North Island Princess has the same tri-toned horn as well. ferryman.sitesled.com/horns/NIP.wma
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Post by Balfour on Apr 16, 2009 15:16:44 GMT -8
I'm sure someone would be willing to help you out with your questions about Greek Ferries in the North America and Abroad board.
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Post by beery on Jun 16, 2009 19:25:31 GMT -8
I have two questions I'm sure some of you folks can answer.
1) The Queen of Vancouver's horn...Sometimes when it used to sound it slowly built up one note at a time until the three trumpets were all blaring at once. Other times, like the Queen of Nanaimo, it simply sounded them all at once. Why is this? and did any other V's have a simlar sounding horn?
2) The Coastal Celebration. I was on it for the first time and was rather unhappy to hear they are only using one of three airchimes...why is this?
Thanks
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jun 16, 2009 19:46:51 GMT -8
I have two questions I'm sure some of you folks can answer. 1) The Queen of Vancouver's horn...Sometimes when it used to sound it slowly built up one note at a time until the three trumpets were all blaring at once. Other times, like the Queen of Nanaimo, it simply sounded them all at once. Why is this? and did any other V's have a simlar sounding horn? 2) The Coastal Celebration. I was on it for the first time and was rather unhappy to hear they are only using one of three airchimes...why is this? Thanks The Vancouver's whistle was normally sounded by the pullcord that streched far into the bridge. But by using a gentle 'tugging' technique, you could get the individual tones to sound gradually before getting the full chord to sound. The Nanaimo's is sounded by the lever in the bridge. One of our members about a year ago tried sounding it by the pullcord, but it has not been used in a long time and is all tied up in knots. It actually sounded like it was going to break off while it was being pulled down. CC's whistle is currently set to one. They have the option to use all three, but for some reason have not changed it. It sounds absolutely awful in Active Pass... actually, it's embarrassing. SWARTZ BAY CREWS, PLEASE SET THE WHISTLE TO CHIME NOT TONE!!! Whistle control used on Coastal's and NorEx.
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Post by Ferryman on Jul 4, 2009 12:51:56 GMT -8
Just sitting in Horseshoe Bay right now, and waiting for my 2:30pm sailing on the Cowichan to go home. The Ferries entering the bay have been sounding their horns in full tune today. The weather is warm and bright, and am enjoying the sights and sounds of Horseshoe Bay.
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