Help Save the Sidney!!! Urgent we need to talk NOW

[Mac Write]

Hello all.

We all need to have a group meeting immediately. I may have some ideas on how we can raise the cash to save the Sidney, but we have to act in days not weeks. We need to have a MSN meeting tonight or tomorrow this is urgent as it will take days to a couple weeks to get things started. Please respond

[Curtis]

Your Right we need to save her

[Mac Write]

Please post your MSN handle in this chat so we can all talk on MSN. mine is [e-mail] (don't use the e-mail).

[QSaanich]

I came up with the idea a long time ago but yes we do need to save the sidney

[Political Incorrectness]

How about you post the ideas here cause I think we have more broad contact here on the forum instead of MSN and then people can see this who do not have msn.

[Retrovision]

"How about you post the ideas here cause I think we have more broad contact here on the forum instead of MSN and then people can see this who do not have msn."

Agreed (I happen to be one of those people who hasn't yet bothered to set up the chat part of their MSN account).

[Balfour]

I think Cascade will have plenty to say on this topic. Expect a reply to this topic by him by 8AM tomorrow.

[Dane]

do you have a price? probably important...

[Retrovision]

From the sounds of it, the scrap value is somewhere around 500K

[Starbucks Queen]

Now, this is the most utter nonsense I have heard this year !! None of you would save the ship, especially not Mac Write - because none of you do have the money. As well none of you do have the knowledge about how to keep a ship. Even if you HAD the money for this - then you wouldn´be able to give it a new interior and not to mention to keep it in service, get all the certificates etc.
Now, I thought it´s time for you, to think about this, and you will realize, that the ship´s going to scrap, period.

[Engineer]

Let her go , shes too far gone.
if you want to save a ship start lobbying to save the Q of Tsawwassen

[Mac Write]

Already thought of that but she's not the first ship.

[Dane]

it's a noble cause, but I would guess the combined total asset value of everyone on the tour falls well short of $500 000. If you can think of a realistic plan I would love to hear it, and be a part of it. The comment about the Tsawwassen is very good. A functioning ship thats seen maintenenace vs. a partially scrapped vessel that was taken out of servive for safety concerns.

[Mac Write]

Tsawwassen has the same safety concerns actually (read the report). We would get the money through auctions, donations, selling stuff for min donations and more. Would be better to save the Tsawwassen in a couple years and turn her into a floating museum. I had suggested that on the tour and was shot down saying the Sidney was the first ship and that is why it should be saved.

[NMcKay]

the sindey has more of a historic value. she was the first ship of BCF and the first ship to fly the BC Flag. it might be better to buy the Tswassen after, and gut the tswassen for parts. because they are the same ships.

[cascade]

No one listen a few months ago when I mention the historical links that this vessel has with the history of BC and BC Ferries.

First thing to do is have a plan & strategy on what you want to do. It takes time to develop this strategy - doesn't happen over night.
The offer we made is a lot lower than figures been talked about within this post. The second and more important iteam, is that she needs to be out of the water, as this is the major cost center you will deal with over the years. Hence why we went for her own dry dock - plus we need the back fill for something else. We think from our report - business plan that it will take around 10,000 to 25,000 man hours work on the out side - to move her into a protective cover - (Paint) - this is based on the 30/40 pictures we received from the owners and our own local research we did.

There are lot's of ideas but the only workable concept is turning her into a museum, and for that it requires a number of legal issue - which turns into political issues. I am sure you are aware that BC Ferries had wished that the owners had scraped her years ago..this is now a semi "hot potato" for BC Ferries to deal with.

You are correct - there is not much that needs doing internally. Forget about trying to get her started and working ect.... would cost in our view well over $1.5M - and that is if you can get spares ect... plus Transport Canada - would most likely not allow you to carry any passengers ect... so why spend that sort of money..with out an end game plan.

We are still here - watching brief on the devoplments....until she is broken up we will work on our plans....but it take time......

[Starbucks Queen]

macwrite said:

Tsawwassen has the same safety concerns actually (read the report). We would get the money through auctions, donations, selling stuff for min donations and more. Would be better to save the Tsawwassen in a couple years and turn her into a floating museum. I had suggested that on the tour and was shot down saying the Sidney was the first ship and that is why it should be saved.

I doubt that any of these vessels will be saved - not if BC ferries themselfes do not have an interest in this and for example refurbish them and do coastal cruises with them - which I doubt because for such a purpose there are better suitable ships than car-ferries with safety- and asbestos issues.

You can say of course, donations, selling stuff etc. - literally one can say alot if the day becomes a bit long but actually one should think before typing.

How much does it cost to buy the ship ?
How much to repair the machinery, to upgrade the ship ? Give it a new interior as well.

Now, that´s just the beginning.. calculate it up, and then start with the running costs. Oh not only that - you need a beth too !!!

Last not least WHO would donate to this ?? If BC ferries was interested they would have done something, well together with the region of British Columbia.

Now, this are some facts. And now, take some time before you type and do the homework, and then let us know the result.

I´d say, the Sidney is just a wreck. For the Tsawwassen, it´s up to the owner, and up the the community of British columbia, whether they do have interest in such. Not up to any of us enthusiasts.

[cascade]

You are correct. But the Sidney was here first - hence the historical links - which her sisters don't have.

Forget any thought of running her as a business - cruises ect... it will cost so much that you could afford to purchase a new vessel for the amount you invested in her.

She needs her own place - dry dock - and needs to be able to bring tourist to her. She needs to become the destination. No small town - like Sidney has the resources or people to do this type of job. Also factor in the running cost - even as a static museum - once out of the water the cost drop a lot. In water the cost raise very fast.

Like I have mention before we have done a hell of a lot of work on this subject and no where near finished with it...but you do need a strategy - plan which is workable.

We have talked to a number of "floating museums" and Europe as you know has a lot of museum - some make money others don't. We have asked them. We have spend some money on an engineering report on how to run her as a museum. Things like where does the Black water go from the WC's - how do you handle it. Fire.. fresh water ...groups of people... the list goes on and on...

[Starbucks Queen]

I must say, despite what you are doing sounds more like a dream than anything that could come true, at least you have done your homework = doing substantial homework, contacting other maritime museums instead of just typing blatant nonsense like some here did.

[Quinsam]

"The sidney has more of a historic value. she was the first ship of BCF and the first ship to fly the BC Flag"
The Second, and sister was the Tsawwassen wasn't it?
The Tsawwassen still has engines, a good interior and plenty of car deck space, would be a better idea to save the sister, the Sidney is not in good shape(No Engines, messy interior, a hole in the side of the ship)

[Mac Write]

My idea was serious, the first step is to secure her safety from the scrap yard. I know it's allot of work to save her, but the first step is to save her from the scrappers.

[cascade]

Mac Write - you will need real money for your idea - so unless your a millionaire or know one - then it is is just blue sky.

The scrape metal people have been around it from the first day we started talking and that was 10 to 12 weeks ago - so if a deal was or is to be done then it would have been done. It is easy to purchase the asset, but as the owner is finding out, much more difficult to doing much with her.

You could start up a public fund to shame BC Ferries in giving you funds, or register yourself or business as a Charity - tax deductible ect... or you could look at how "floating museum" are formed.

BC Press / Media if they were interested, or even the Union - well they could have done something, but given the total lack of interest,,,I guess you can see there reply answer to the problem.

Where was everyone a few months ago.... why now ? I asked for help didn't get any...so why now...

[jcachristian]

Judging from the pictures posted, The Sidney is in very horrible shape would need massive amounts of cash before one would even think of anytime of restoration.

In her current condition I do not think it would be worth it. Lets put our attention to Saving the Queen of Tsawwassen instead.

However a better option to scrapping would be to sink her as a artificial reef. The vessle would survive for hunderds of years letting divers explore her.


I do have a Question, where is the ferry going to be scrapped? Is she going to Alang India?

[cascade]

If you know anything about shipping - the Sidney is in pretty good shape. The external wall's need to be sand blasted, under coated and then painted. As for her internal - little needs to be done.
Fresh water and WC links - plus power, as the cables are all over 40 years old. Better be safe than sorry.

One thing to say about BC Ferries - they did look after there vessels - so for something sitting around for 5 years - well I could show you a 10 year old that has sat around for 2 years and she looks bad - compared to these pictures.

[Scott (Former Account)]

jcachristian said:

I do have a Question, where is the ferry going to be scrapped? Is she going to Alang India?

Bill said that a scrapping company in Surrey is VERY interested in obtaining her for scrap. Exactly what the name of the company was, it has escaped me...