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Post by Curtis on Jan 5, 2008 0:26:40 GMT -8
If Mods Find this Useless Go Ahead and Lock it. I Thought I'd Start Up a Thread for this. This Thread is Similar to the Service Notice Thread. Except for Solo Ferry Trips. So Unless this Get's Locked. Log Your 2008 Solo Trips Here.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 17, 2008 18:07:13 GMT -8
I did a solo trip last Saturday on the Saanich to Tsawwassen then came back on the SOBC. Today Thursday I did a roundtrip on the Cumberland to Otter Bay to get photos from the Cumberland of the SOVI in berth 3 in refit. I will post photos later!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 21, 2008 20:16:03 GMT -8
I was on this morning's 6:30am Queen of Cowichan sailing from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay.
It was such a cold clear day, and I was treated to 3 spectacular sights, during the dawn hour:
1) The clearness of the pre-sunrise moments made the San Juan Islands seem closer to me, than they actually were. The same goes for freighter traffic between Point Grey and Tsawwassen. It all looked so clear and close.
2) Mt. Baker was a spectacular scene behind Vancouver, from my Route-2 vantage point. As the sunrise-moment approached, the sun looked like it was directly behind Mt. Baker, lighting up the volcano's outline. However, by the time the sun actually rose, the ferry was close to HorseshoeBay, and I couldn't see the actual sunrise.
3) A spectacular moon-set, just over Sechelt. Just like you'd see in a Roy Henry Vickers painting. It was amazing to behold.
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Post by Scott on Jan 21, 2008 22:16:40 GMT -8
Don't know if I've ever seen the moon set:) I was heading to work around 6:45 though and saw the moon bright and clear. It's been a while since we've had some nice clear days.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 21, 2008 23:16:51 GMT -8
I was on the Queen of Saanich 9pm sailing Sunday night after the CR tour and it was beautiful clear night with the full moon out and you could actually see the water and moon shining down on the ship which was neat standing out on the bow as the moon made everything look brighter. I love nights like those!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 26, 2008 17:32:12 GMT -8
I took the 7:00pm Oak Bay sailing from HorseshoeBay to DepartureBay, on Friday night.
I've now taken 6 return-trips on this route over the past 10 weeks, and I'm tired of the Route-2 busy sailings on Friday nights.
I'm finding that I prefer ferry-travel in weather and daylight that makes it more enjoyable to be outside on the ship, as opposed to being crammed in with all the other passengers on 1 pax deck.
On last night's Oak Bay sailing, I was in the Cafeteria lineup, just by the tray pickup area, and got to see a kid barf on the floor, right in the cashier lineup. Great....I'm close enough to see and smell the Coastal whitespot burgers, and can also see some Coastal Vomit too. The Coastal-Puke came in 2 waves, like act-1 and act-2. The dad has the presence-of-mind to direct the kid to do the 2nd act in the same puddle as the first.
The cafeteria staff were very quick to get the gloves on, and clean up.....but the cashier lanes were reduced to one, during the busiest part of the sailing for the cafeteria.
Not that it's the kid's fault, but it just illustrated the point of why I don't like crowded C-Class sailings. I'm actually looking forward to a Coastal-Class ship with a SeaWest Lounge, for sailings like that. Or at least the benefit of having 2 passenger decks on a Coastal Ship.
The 1-passenger-deck of a C-Class makes the winter dark sailings so closed-in when you're on a full sailing. And when you combine many types of people who all have different ideas of what acceptable public behaviour is, then you get something that I don't really like. I'm not referring to the Coastal-Puke here, but to the different types of people's behaviour that come together in 1 confined space. Roving packs of teenagers. People who think it's ok to stand-still in the middle of corridors or at top of staircases. People who have long, loud cell-phone conversations. And the groups of 20-something males who travel in herds and communicate with f-bombs galore.
Hopefully the Coastal-Class 2-deck layout will help with this; to make crowded sailings seem less-crowded.
And sailings in the evening-light months of April-September allow for more outside time, that's enjoyable on an evening sailing.
But for now, I'm realizing that a January friday-evening's Route-2 sailing is not what makes me a ferry-nerd. I'm just another commuter who wants to get home.
I think it would be less unenjoyable on a Coastal-Class ship.....
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 26, 2008 18:56:06 GMT -8
I know exactly how you feel, Flugel. I've done a number of those Friday night sailings as well. But I'd say that the Oak Bay is just a little bit, and I mean just a little bit, more comfortable to be on than the Cowichan on a full sailing.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the Coastal Class ships will handle the busy sailings. There's a few more options, and lots of extra space with more places to be. Deck 5 offers the Coastal Cafe Express on one end, with a TV lounge on the opposite end. Then there is V-Class style seating (two side by side seats) out lining the hallways between the two lounges. On Deck 6, there's the Seawest Lounge, Coastal Cafe, and the Starbucks Sitka Lounge. Though the Coastal Cafe doesn't quite feel any larger than any of the Coastal Cafes on the C-Class. There is also lots more seating on this deck as well, with the windowed walls lined with seating. What I'm looking forward to the most, is being able to stand at the bow Solarium, looking way down at the water on a stormy night.
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Post by Taxman on Jan 26, 2008 20:11:44 GMT -8
I explicitly asked about the amenities when the CR is running in the winter. Get used to having one deck again, as deck 5 (the lower passenger deck) is designed to be shut-down in the winter.
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Post by Scott on Jan 26, 2008 20:56:21 GMT -8
Over the past few years, I've done a lot of those 7PM Friday night sailings and Sunday night returns. If I'm by myself, I dress warmly, grab a hot-chocolate, and sit or stand outside for most of the trip:) If the sky is clear, it's quite beautiful. If it's raining, it's not so great. Unfortunately it seems people can't read the "no smoking" signs in the dark, or even in the daylight sometimes, but especially in the dark.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 26, 2008 22:42:23 GMT -8
I explicitly asked about the amenities when the CR is running in the winter. Get used to having one deck again, as deck 5 (the lower passenger deck) is designed to be shut-down in the winter. Well at least there would be the SeaWest Lounge on Deck-6, albeit for a price. I'd have paid the $10 last Friday....as it was end of a long work week, and I just wanted to relax.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Jan 26, 2008 23:34:55 GMT -8
I don't take the C-class ships much (actually not at all) but I think that the Coastals will do for route 2 what the Spirits did for route 1. I find that I don't really notice whether I am on a full sailing or not when I'm on a Spirit, just because there is so much space. I don't think you would have to pay the 10 bucks for the seawest lounge when there is so much more room.
Honestly, I was shocked when I learned that the C-class only have 1 passenger deck. I had thought up until a few years go that they had a 2 deck setup similar to the Vs.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 27, 2008 0:03:24 GMT -8
Why would the lower deck on the Super C's be closed off??? Seems kinda backwards if you ask me. Wouldent it make more sense to have the amenities all on the lower deck then close off the upper deck during less busy times?? Although the higher up the better?, lol!
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Post by Curtis on Jan 27, 2008 1:14:43 GMT -8
In a way it doesn't make much sense, but with her layout of the Wheelhouse on deck 5, it does. If you put all the amenities of the Coastals on deck 5, it would be quite cramped. So closing deck 5 off and leaving fully accessible deck 6 to the public in the winter makes sense. [edit]Oh, BTW, I took a trip yesterday on the NIP from Powell River to Texada and back.[/edit]
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Post by Nucksrule on Feb 2, 2008 17:15:08 GMT -8
I went for a daytrip to Sechelt today, took the 9:20 there and came back on the 2:30. Nice sunny day and the Surrey wasn't too busy which was nice.
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Post by SS San Mateo on Feb 3, 2008 18:58:49 GMT -8
I did a couple of round trips (Seattle - Bremerton and Seattle - Bainbridge) on 01/21... The first part of the trip involved taking the 7:35 (M/V Kaleetan)from Seattle to Bremerton. Here comes the PO ferry M/V Skagit (aka Skankit) from Vashon And the M/V Wenatchee from Bainbridge. And it's off to Bremerton I go. Here comes the Tillikum from Bremerton (with the Kitsap and Issaquah visible in the background) with the sun coming up Here comes the sun here comes the sun and I say it's all rightNow arriving at Bremerton. With 1 1/2 hours or so to kill before taking the 10:15 back to Seattle, I wandered around. I noticed a flashing light, so I went to take a close look and saw this: An old (probably no later than the 1960's) 4-way flashing signal made by Eagle Signal. You probably don't see many of these up in Canada. I eventually made my way back to the ferry terminal for for 10:15 back to Seattle. And here comes the M/V Tillikum. This wingwall looks like it's falling apart. It's time to head back to Seattle. (Kitsap Harbor Tour boat waiting for the Tillkium to get out of the way). There goes the Kaleetan. Now arriving at Seattle. Now things get interesting. The plan was to catch 11:25 to Bainbridge. Normally I would have 10 minutes to make the connection, but seeing as the Tillikum can't keep the schedule, it will be close. Pulling into slip 2. which means that the overhead walkway is working. Fortunately the Tillikum wasn't too late, so I was able to make the connection with a few minutes to spare. View of the Tillikum from the sun deck of the Wantachee. Now it's off to Bainbridge. Arriving at Bainbridge. A couple views of Eagle Harbor. The Wenatchee and the M/V Illahee. After getting off, I decided I had enough time (about 20 - 25 minutes) to see if I could get a good pic of the Steilacoom II at Eagle Harbor from the waterfront park. This was the best I could do. Another view of Eagle Harbor from the park. I noticed that I had barely enough time to catch the 12:20 back to Seattle, so I ran back to the dock. Just as I arrived at the terminal, last call from walk-ons was made, so I had to run like a bat out of hell to make it on. Like a bat out of hell Ill be gone when the morning comes When the night is over Like a bat out of hell Ill be gone gone gone Like a bat out of hell Ill be gone when the morning comesI barely made it. The Illahee in the tie-up slip. Now it's back to Seattle I go. Arriving at Seattle as the Kaleetan heads to Bremerton.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 3, 2008 19:50:10 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing those photos, Mr. Bill. Seeing pictures like these helps me to understand the WSF routes better.
A couple of questions:
1) Is Eagle Harbor a type of "parking lot" for the ferries? Or are there floating drydocks as well as tie-up slips to do ship maintenance at?
2) How did you start / end your trip by getting from / to Vashon?
3) Seeing as our dollars are at par (or close), I can make a comparison of cost for your day-trip, compared to a typical day of ferry-riding for me. I spent approx $70 total recently for a day that had a combination of 3 return-trips on 3 different vessels on 3 different routes (food included in my total). - What was your approx cost for your day of fun?
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Post by Curtis on Feb 3, 2008 23:00:36 GMT -8
Some Nice Photos. An old (probably no later than the 1960's) 4-way flashing signal made by Eagle Signal. You probably don't see many of these up in Canada. Up here in Powell River There's Two of these. One's By the Thunder Bay Store On Highway 101 at the end of Joyce Avenue and there's one on the Road from the Townsite up into Cranberry at an intersection of a logging road.
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Post by SS San Mateo on Feb 4, 2008 21:13:59 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing those photos, Mr. Bill. Seeing pictures like these helps me to understand the WSF routes better. A couple of questions: 1) Is Eagle Harbor a type of "parking lot" for the ferries? Or are there floating drydocks as well as tie-up slips to do ship maintenance at? 2) How did you start / end your trip by getting from / to Vashon? 3) Seeing as our dollars are at par (or close), I can make a comparison of cost for your day-trip, compared to a typical day of ferry-riding for me. I spent approx $70 total recently for a day that had a combination of 3 return-trips on 3 different vessels on 3 different routes (food included in my total). - What was your approx cost for your day of fun? 1) Annual maintenance and anything not requiring shipyard work is done there. It's basically a combo maintenance/lay-up facility. 2) I took the 6:25 AM from Vashon. I was going to catch an earlier boat (5:55 PO ferry), but a bus broke down. Return trip to Vashon was on the 5:55 PM from Fauntleroy. Transportation to/from the Vashon ferry was done completely by bus (outside of a 15 minute walk to/from the house each way). 3) Ferry tickets costs $13.40 altogether (I have a pass that covers the bus and ferry to/from Vashon. so there's no cost there). Ferry food was $12.25. Add another 6 or so dollars for drinks (soda pop, coffee, and water) purchased on the ferry and the estimated cost is close to $32.
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 8, 2008 8:07:38 GMT -8
Actually, I have to nit-pick a tad about Eagle Harbor... it's capable of doing anything a shipyard can except drydocking, though exterior painting over the water is kind of verboten now with the absence of "mess control", save for a bit of brushwork to cover up the weld marks. It's nearly a full-service yard, in fact, which is why the neighbors complain a bit about the noise (ahem... who was there first?).
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 26, 2008 19:49:19 GMT -8
Nice pics, LB, thanks. - As for solo trips, tomorrow I'll be embarking on a road trip to experience Victoria's annual 'Tourist In Your Own Home Town'
www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/EN/436.asp?id=3761For only $10 (a fawningly review or not, it was more than worth it last time I indulged 2 years ago if only for the free 20 minute harbour cruise) you will find these benefits during the 5 day event (you can rest assured it's worth it as it's a way to bolster tourist numbers and influence during the normally dismal pre-spring period as a sort of loss leader)... Feel free to join me, I'll be in town between Wednesday and Friday in order to avoid the weekend crowds that, 2 years ago, included massive lineups for the (worth the cost alone) free 20 minute harbour cruise provided by Prince of Whales Cruises (with great angles for photography).
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Post by kylefossett on Feb 26, 2008 20:20:21 GMT -8
i will be doing a trip on saturday on the upper arrow lakes ferry on my way to spend a few days riding at revelstoke mountain resort
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 26, 2008 20:29:53 GMT -8
i will be doing a trip on saturday on the upper arrow lakes ferry on my way to spend a few days riding at revelstoke mountain resort Let us know if there are 1 or 2 ships running on that route. If there's just 1, the other is likely tied-up at Shelter Bay. Enjoy your ski trip, and the Needles-Fauquier cable-ferry too.
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Post by kylefossett on Feb 26, 2008 21:34:47 GMT -8
will be just one ferry this time of year. there was only one in november when we took it. won't be at the needles ferry, out of the way. probably won't be able to get any pictures as i will be travelling at night. conducting an avalanche awareness day at whitewater during the day saturday, then off to revy for some fun over 3 days.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 27, 2008 6:43:43 GMT -8
will be just one ferry this time of year. there was only one in november when we took it. won't be at the needles ferry, out of the way. probably won't be able to get any pictures as i will be travelling at night. conducting an avalanche awareness day at whitewater during the day saturday, then off to revy for some fun over 3 days. So you're taking Galena/Shelter ferry, but Needles/Faquier is out of the way. That must mean that you're coming from/to Nelson, instead to going through the Okanagan...
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Post by kylefossett on Feb 27, 2008 6:55:05 GMT -8
thats right. i will be coming from nelson as my last post mentions i will be at whitewater during the day on saturday
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