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Post by Erik on Jun 19, 2006 17:26:42 GMT -8
Hello Group,
Just joined. I have a question. Why when the Queen of Alberni was "lifted" didi they blnak out so many windows on her passenge deck (or was this done before) It just seems that no matter what route you travel in BC the scenery is second to none and it would be nice to see it, especially on those "rainy days"
Erik
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Post by Mike C on Jun 19, 2006 18:20:19 GMT -8
The QoA was lifted for usage on Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay as an extra vessel or truck ferry. Originally, Tsawwassen-Duke Point was run as a truck route, but then quickly converted to the Mid-Island Express in 1990 and assisted by the Queen of New Westminster. The Queen of Esquimalt usually sits in if there's a vessel absent.
Sounds like you're a frequent flyer on Tsawwassen-Duke Point. If you want to see scenery, head on over to Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay, Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay, or even the Gulf Islands.
Thanks for your imput Erik!
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 19, 2006 19:08:32 GMT -8
The QoA was lifted for usage on Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay as an extra vessel or truck ferry. Originally, Tsawwassen-Duke Point was run as a truck route, but then quickly converted to the Mid-Island Express in 1990 and assisted by the Queen of New Westminster. The Queen of Esquimalt usually sits in if there's a vessel absent. ..... Erik, the Queen of Alberni doesn't have that many windows anymore, due to a few little modifications. Firstly, she had a floorplan which was very similar to the Cowichan and Coquitlam. The corners had a covered outer deck, but it wasn't long until those were covered up, and changed into more interior space.  Then, on one side, the chief stewards office, and washrooms were placed along side one of the walls that had windows. Plus, they also realized that the windows would cause problems in case of a fire, as the original fire windows (the windows with the two bars going down the middle) were eventually covered up. You have to imagine the vessel being on fire, while looking at the lifeboat system. The alberni is the only C-Class left that still relies on the old davit system, with launching inflatable rafts. photosbychris2006.fotopic.net/p28882316.htmlWe can only hope, that they will replace some of those large gaps on the passenger deck, with the new type of fire windows they're using on the C-Class now, during it's Mid Life Upgrade, scheduled this winter. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2006 17:38:59 GMT -8
re guest user "Ship Watcher".
For those who might be wondering, this "new" regular-guest is the old regular-guest "JCA Christian".
just in case you're keeping track on who are the recurring-characters are on this board......
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Post by Retrovision on Jul 1, 2006 23:14:02 GMT -8
Thanks, Mr. Horn, for clarifying; always good to know who the established introverts are.  |
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Post by kev on Jul 17, 2006 12:44:33 GMT -8
hey, my name is kev, i registered on this site awhile ago but didnt really come back right away, i have been busy with another forum, www.tubbersinc.com. the nanaimo bathtub race is closely upon us and its my first year racing. il post some pics of my racing bathtub in the non ferry topic chat  |
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Post by Balfour on Jul 17, 2006 13:03:37 GMT -8
Great to have you on board! I love the sound of bathtub racing. Sounds like lots of fun!
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Post by Mike C on Jul 17, 2006 13:04:34 GMT -8
In which case, Welcome Aboard Kev! Hope you enjoy our forum!
BTW, Good luck in the Bathtub Race!
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Post by kev on Jul 17, 2006 13:49:14 GMT -8
thanks, im hoping to do well in the race, i went to sylva bay on gabriola island on saturday in my racing bathtub, that was fun, water was really calm, except the wake of the Queen of Newwestminister coming past duke point  i just hope the weather stays nice for the race and the wind keeps down. |
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Post by Curtis on Jul 19, 2006 10:20:12 GMT -8
Bathtub Racing Is something I would want to do.
Good to have you Aboard
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Post by Ferryman on Jul 19, 2006 22:51:16 GMT -8
I actually found a bathtub racer at a second hand marine shop in North Vancouver the other day. They only wanted $250 for it! Hmm, so tempting.....Just like that Dogwood Flag that was for sale in that same store about a year ago for $100. Jeez I wish I had grabbed that....
Anyways, are there any more members who would like to give themselves a bit of an introduction?
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Post by Shane on Jul 22, 2006 9:19:54 GMT -8
That would be a great idea!
We used to have some really good posts from those old members and then they just disapeared...
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Post by SS Shasta on Aug 1, 2006 19:29:21 GMT -8
WOOPS! I didn't know that new members should introduce themselves, but it is a great idea. I started posting now and then about 6 months ago, so I am not actually "new." Anyway, I was born and raised in Seattle, and except for 2 years at Goose Bay/Happy Valley, Labrador, I have spent my entire life in the PNW. I currently live (since 1972) in Ketchikan, Alaska where I spent 25 years on the faculty of the University of Alaska. I also have a "vacation" condo in Seattle, Washington. My dad worked for many years on the Puget Sound ferries when they were operated by the Black Ball Company. He would often relate to me many fond memories, and some not so fond, of some of the vessels he worked on. His favorite vessel was the SS (later MV) Chippewa. His least favorite was as he called it, "the silver slug." Can you guess which ferry he was talking about  He was part of the crew of MV Golden Bear which was wrecked during a storm during it's trip north from San Francisco to Puget Sound. Anyway, with this background, I have always had a special attachment to ferry vessels. I have ridden on most of the vessels in the WSF Fleet. My favorite was always the SS San Mateo. I rode her often and have many fond memories of her. On the wall above the fireplace in my home is the original of a very special document, the last Certificate of Inspection issued for SS San Mateo in May 1969. Oh yes, I have many other favorites, MV Vashon, MV Chetzemoka, MV Olympic, MV Quinault, MV Evergreten State, to name a few. Oh yes, I also have a favorite AMHS vessel; MV Malaspina, first Lady of the AMHS fleet. I just got off of her this morning in Bellingham after sailing on voyage 2767 South. She is looking great and is a fun ship to ride!! Well, that is a bit of me! SS Shasta |
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 7, 2006 21:39:06 GMT -8
 photo: Jim Thorne, aka wetcoastkid, taken by my son while having breakfast on the Q of Chilliwack, July 2006Hi, This is Jim, aka wetcoastkid. I joined this forum back in April not long after the loss of the Queen of the North. I was casting about looking for others who were in mourning like me. I have been a bit of a ferry and train freak for many years - probably since my teens. I have a particular interest in the part of the world in which I grew up and now live - that is BC, its coast, and neighbouring areas. I am also very interested in photography and have been taking pictures of ferries since about 1970. In 2001 I went digital and am now working on my third pixelated camera. BTW, back in the good old days of film it never occurred to me to take pictures of ship interiors. Film was too expensive for that. I was born and raised in Victoria [Mt. Doug grad 1972] and continue to have family living there. I also have family and in-laws in the Vancouver area. I live today in Kitimat on BC's North wet coast. Although Kitimat is on salt water, at the upper end of Douglas Channel, it has no ferry service other than a private passenger only service operated by Alcan between here and Kemano. For a ferry fix I have to drive two and a half hours to Prince Rupert. Fortunately I get 'home' to Victoria a couple of times a year and am able to catch a ride on a Spirit or a V on those occasions. I also make one or two trips a year on a longer north coast route along the Inside Passage or to the Charlottes. This year, with the loss of the Q o t North, I turned mis-fortune into an opportunity, deciding to finally take the Discovery Coast route between Port Hardy and Bella Coola, even though this is a somewhat round-about way to get home. In my postings, I often refer to my older brother. His name is David, and he lives in the Vancouver area. Besides being an accomplished marine artist, he is also something of an expert on all things marine in BC. One room of his house is given over to his collection of books, photos, artwork, etc., much of which deals with the history of BCF. He has contributed articles and art work to many publications, including Jane's Merchant Shipping and the Bannerman book The Ships of British Columbia (see page 133). His BC Ferries art work has often been used in BC Ferries official publications, and it adorns walls of several retired ship's officers. I will post small copies of his artwork on my website [http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k268/wetcoastkidjst/]. Larger copies may be available for purchase. When it comes to BC Ferry and marine history if I don't know the answer, I ask my brother. I am also interested in the outdoors. When I get a chance I will go hiking, backpacking, canoing, etc. My most recent trip was a four-day backpack at the beginning of July into Cape Scott at the northern end of Vancouver Island.  That is me 2nd from left flanked by my wife Elizabeth & son Ben |
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Post by hwy19man on Sept 5, 2006 12:23:45 GMT -8
Hello, I am hwy19man. I have this name because I followed the construction of the Vancouver Island Highway Project and particularly enjoyed the construction of the interchanges and the Duke Point Ferry Terminal, which is the terminus of Highway 19. I am in college learning about highways, but, trying to pass calculus over the last two years has been quite the challenge. A friend of mine emailed me the link to this site and I am glad I joined.
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Post by poeticlives on Sept 8, 2006 21:37:52 GMT -8
What about hidden e-mnail addresses cascade my man?
Mind you, if I sworn of jovially putting in my sarcastic two cents here I wouldn't hear the end of it from Jordan anyway...
Anyways, for those of you who don't know me, I'm Mike, I live in North Van, I play lots of Jazz and study it at Capilano College. And I'm pretty much fascinated with all manner of transportation, so despite my amoeba-sized knowledge of ferries, I'm able to feel fairly cozy!
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Post by ruddernut on Sept 13, 2006 4:10:58 GMT -8
Hello. I live in Coquitlam and I love ferry travel.
BCF routes ridden: Tsawassen-Swartz, Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay, Horseshoe-Bowen, Horseshoe-Langdale, Crofton-Vesuvius, Swartz-Fulford Harbour, Long Harbour-Tsawassen.
Other ferries ridden: Seattle-Bainbridge Island, Anacortes-San Juan Islands-Sidney, Port Angeles-Victoria, Seabus, Albion Ferry, Barnston Island Ferry, Elliot Bay Water Taxi.
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Post by Curtis on Sept 13, 2006 7:21:58 GMT -8
Welcome to the Forum
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 13, 2006 8:06:31 GMT -8
Welcome aboard, ruddernut.
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Post by ruddernut on Sept 13, 2006 16:37:57 GMT -8
Thanks for the welcome.
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Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,092
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Post by Neil on Sept 14, 2006 21:43:51 GMT -8
Well, there sure seems to be a lot of new members lately, and welcome to you all. Diversity is great.
I'm wondering if it's been prompted by a lowering of the membership fees, or something. I know when I joined, it was fifty bucks; I remember because I still have the cancelled cheque that I was told to make out to "UltraWalker, Ferries of BC Treasurer". He said to make it out to him personally... something about tax purposes....
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 15, 2006 7:29:07 GMT -8
I'm wondering if it's been prompted by a lowering of the membership fees, or something. I know when I joined, it was fifty bucks; I remember because I still have the cancelled cheque that I was told to make out to "UltraWalker, Ferries of BC Treasurer". He said to make it out to him personally... something about tax purposes.... According to the "Act" (and I trust that Doug has his copy), membership tariffs are to be based on the full recovery costing method. The members forum has posted the result in there accounts, available for all to see. I won't tell you were to find them, as you should be able to, if youre a real ferry enthusiast. What the members' accounts won't show, is there "membership level fluctuation hedge program", which is disclosed in the report, but not in the accounts. The hedge program allows the membership fees to be smoothed during periods of membership-level volatility. Again, that's in the report, and anyone who is interested in ferries should have known that. Re the method of payment, cheques work fine, but so do unused Tim Hortons coupons. (To the unconditioned reader: the above contains a weekly dose of satire. To those averse to satire, don't worry about it. Any resemblance to other members' writing styles is intentional, and intended to be taken in good-humour) |
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Post by Barnacle on Oct 24, 2006 7:42:59 GMT -8
Well, it wasn't quite a pointed remark from LB, but a heavy hint, so I'll finally introduce myself. My name is Brandon, I am a deckhand/mate for Washington State Ferries (I also hold a master's license but have only been a captain for about twelve minutes), and I work on the Anacortes-Sidney route when it is in session (and work the domestic traffic routes in the San Juans on the same boat during the shutdown). I am also EvergreenFleet's roommate, which is the source of the ribbing between us that you may see occasionally. I've been temporarily transferred off the International run for a couple of months (a temporary mate's job came open, and I had the seniority to claim it) so I will be working on the Sealth, and yes I will be acquiring pictures of the fresh interiors as soon as possible. I am a ferryboat junk collector by nature and have been for twenty years. People now donate their collections of "stuff" to me, and I've kind of become WSF's attic--up to and including the original dispatcher's board from 1973, which was replaced by a computer in 1998. It's hanging in my office and the crew and vessel placement is pretty accurate. I like to travel a bit in your fair country, chasing black rubber biscuits around the WHL whenever possible. I play golf, albeit badly. I grow rhododendrons and am looking forward to learning how to hybridize them. Oh, yes. My username came from the fact that I have been (up until now) working as a quartermaster for about a year, and I once referred to a fellow quartermaster, who was trying half-jokingly to elevate the importance of the position, as a "coffee-drinking barnacle." His rebuttal was, "I beg your pardon! I don't drink coffee." |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 24, 2006 18:08:45 GMT -8
Thanks, Mr. Barnacle. Great to get to know you.
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Post by Balfour on Oct 24, 2006 20:53:28 GMT -8
It's awesome to see the variety of backgrounds we all come from, and yet we all have one thing in common on this board which is obvious. We have high-school students, accountants, Plenty of Ferry workers (including BCF, WSF, and False Creek), College/Uni Students, Ski Instructors. It's all important to the variety and diversity of our forum.
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i just hope the weather stays nice for the race and the wind keeps down. 
He was part of the crew of MV Golden Bear which was wrecked during a storm during it's trip north from San Francisco to Puget Sound.
