Refuelling of the Ferries

[Ferryman]

Does anybody know what the fuel millage is like on the major route ferries like whether or not they have to get refuelled at home port evertime they're there or get refuelled before every sailing like the Fastcats had to do or can they last the whole day without having to refuel, that seems a bit unlogical though or maybe even at crew change??? do anybody know?

[Ian]

At the end of the day or sometimes during crew changes when the vessel is completely empty they drive a huge tanker truck on and fill the tanks up.

[NMcKay]

The Harbourlynx Fills up once a day, Just before the 2pm sailing from Vancouver

[BrianWilliams]

Good topic! What grade of fuel do they use? Are all BC Ferries' boats burning high quality low-sulphur (clean) diesel fuel these days?

I noticed a battery of fuel storage tanks above Bear Cove (Port Hardy) last summer. There is a large fuelling dock there for commercial boats ... does BCF use this for Q of the North and Chilliwack?

On a larger scale: it would interesting to know how the larger boats rate in fuel consumption per ton-mile. We hope that the Spirits are the most efficient. Anyone know if these results are public information?

[NMcKay]

I think you'll be suprised to find that they all do run on diesel fuel. and its my thought that the "k" class are the most efficent. because of thier closed water design. they float on top of the water rather than try to cut the water and/or push it aside.

[noleaksyet]

Here are the bunkering scedules for the ships of saltspring island.

Skeena Queen- Bunkers Sun AM on first arrival to Swartz Bay. Normally takes 45,000 litres MDO and has a daily consumption of around 8,000-9,000 litres running 4 main engines and 1 of 2 generators during operational hours. Shore power connected at shutdown.

Howe Sound Queen- Bunkers Sun AM as well upon 1st arrival to Crofton. If memory serves me its around 20,000 + litres MDO. Cant remember daily fuel consumption. Running 2 main engines and 1 of 2 generators during operational hours and shore power connected at shutdown.

Queen of Nanaimo- Bunkers either Tues or Wed AM on arrival to Tsawassen (Cheif Engineer decision). Around 40,000 litres MDO on this day. Again bunkered on arrival to Tsawassen on Sat PM. Normally 40,000 + MDO taken. Daily consumption around 9,000-15,000 litres running 2 main engines and 2 of 3 generators during operational hours and 1 of 3 generators after shutdown. Consumption aboard this vessel varies with daily schedule.

MDO= Marine Diesel Oil.

All bunkering done via tanker truck. All pollution prevention measures strictly adhered to.
I hope this answers your questions for at least these vessels.

[nosepoint]

Interesting...
I have seen a fuel barge follow the QofNanaimo into Long Harbour a few times late at night then tie up alongside for several hours. I just assumed it was fueling the ship. Was this just a one-off a few times when tanker trucks weren't available? (I think the last time I saw this was in the wintertime in mid-1990's, however)

[kylefossett]

this barge depending on where you noticed it, if you were coming in from pender, might have been going into ganges harbour. even then the gas stations are all done by tanker trucks that come over on dangerous cargo sailings.

[nosepoint]

kylefossett said:

this barge depending on where you noticed it, if you were coming in from pender, might have been going into ganges harbour. even then the gas stations are all done by tanker trucks that come over on dangerous cargo sailings.

It actually followed the ship into Long Harbour, then tied up alongside the QofNanaimo until about 2am, then it left. I'm pretty sure it was a fuel barge anyways. I watched it from our house on Long Harbour.

Barges used to fill up the old Esso (Commercial Agent/fuel dock - Fiander's) tanks in Ganges Harbour, until it closed down in 1992.

[BrianWilliams]

Thanks for the info, all of you.

Diesel fuel doesn't surprise me, of course -- it's the grade of fuel that might vary. Older boats may still be capable of using the high-sulphur, low-viscosity sludge that was common 30 years ago.

But, given BCF's generally good record of maintainence and upgrading, that is unlikely.

Truck-based refuelling surprised me for a moment. But, of course, why not? These are Ro-Ro boats .. it's easier to roll a tank truck on than to berth at a fuel dock.

Du-ohh.

[noleaksyet]

Yes Brian,

The fuel is MDO, Marine Diesel Oil, which is pretty well exactly what you will put into you golf or Jetta but usually a little higher in sulphur. HFO, Heavy Fuel Oil or "Bunker C", which is used in all deep sea vessels is not used at the ferries because while manouvering in and out of port (on Engine room stand-by), you would need to change over to diesel to avoid engine stalls while manouvering movements are made. This would be very hard to do as the ferries are on stand-by more often than on FULL AWAY. Think Queen of Nanaimo. It may be of interest to note that a few ferries were built with all the systems for HFO and ran for a short period this way until it was determined that it was more expensive and more hassle. More expense due to the fact that you are always heating the HFO to keep the viscosity low enough to flow and not turn to tar in your fuel pumps, injectors and lines and make your engine' s fuel system a solid cylinder of ashphalt. Again you may find of interest the fact that yes, the Queen of Nanaimo is one of the vessels with this system but now it has been converted to run just diesel. The HFO heaters have been removed and the tanks now just hold MDO as well as the lines, change over valves, and filters have been converted into one system now. I could not imagine the work involved in changing from MDO to HFO and back every time the Naniamo's wheelhouse rings down on the telegraph "STANDBY"! -noleaksyet

[Queen of The North]

Next time you are on the Queen of ALberni, look out for a sheet of paper on the wall, which May be near the Chief stewards office. This paper explains how often that vessle is re-fuelled at Duke Point.

I was reading it in March while the ship was on route 2.

I believe the Mv Quinsam gets bunkerd on the nanaimo side, I know there is no 06:15am sailing from Nanaimo or a 06:45am sailing from Descanso Bay on Sundays. Nor there is a 8:55pm from Nanaimo or a 9:25pm sailings from Descanso Bay on Wednsdays.

I would imagine these would be refuiling times.