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Post by Name Omitted on Mar 24, 2012 20:55:04 GMT -8
Has anyone ridden on the MV Caribou? visitnewfoundland.ca/mvcaribou.html I was flipping though Google ferrys and was quite startled to se a "Blue Canoe" with the Canada logo on the side.  |
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Quatchi
Voyager 
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Mar 24, 2012 21:05:04 GMT -8
I have never been on the Caribou or her sister, but I have seen them. Actually I saw them every morning for almost three months as I walked to the galley for breakfast. That was the three months before they were taken to Allang.
I know a local who has been on her a few times and one of my instructors was an Engineer on her. They both seem to have liked her, but the new boats are working out well.
Cheers,
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
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Post by Nick on Mar 24, 2012 21:08:12 GMT -8
Has anyone ridden on the MV Caribou? visitnewfoundland.ca/mvcaribou.html I was flipping though Google ferrys and was quite startled to se a "Blue Canoe" with the Canada logo on the side. See this thread for more info on Marine Atlantic ferriesbc.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=otherna&action=display&thread=3898 and the MV Caribou. She is in the process of being scrapped currently in Alang, India. There are pictures on the last page of that thread from February. The Caribou and Smallwood were 179m long, about 12m longer than our Spirits and carried almost 400 cars on two full height vehicle decks. Built in the mid-80s, they were Canada's largest ferries and if I'm not mistaken were the biggest ships ever built in Canada. They were also heavily ice strengthened, which is a feature Marine Atlantic used extensively. |
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Post by Name Omitted on Mar 24, 2012 22:05:55 GMT -8
Thanks for the link. I did a search for MV Caribou on this site and came up dry. I should have known to look more deeply before posting that.
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,075
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Post by Nick on Apr 12, 2012 16:32:37 GMT -8
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Post by Cat320DL on Aug 11, 2012 15:51:08 GMT -8
Great pic's of the Vision & the Leif. I see the 2 missfits pic's have made it here....
Kyle
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 23, 2013 16:37:14 GMT -8
Is that MV Atlantic Vision in the background ? |
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,075
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Post by Nick on Feb 23, 2013 18:11:40 GMT -8
Is that MV Atlantic Vision in the background ? Yes, that's the Vision in the background. She is in winter lay up/refit at the moment, as traffic is still low and she burns significantly more fuel than the twins. |
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,075
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Post by Nick on Jul 31, 2013 12:02:44 GMT -8
The MV Blue Puttees has made the news today. Apparently she has struck a dock in Port Aux Basques harbour, and is awaiting a high tide to be pulled off. Damage does not appear to be too extensive to the ship, but the dock has been fairly heavily damaged and the underwater portion of the hull is unknown at this point. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2013/07/31/nl-blue-puttees-port-aux-basques-marine-atlantic-731.htmlBlue Puttees ferry hits wharf in Port aux BasquesNo injuries reported to 398 passengers and 91 crew, Marine Atlantic says The MV Blue Puttees ran aground while departing Port aux Basques for North Sydney on Wednesday morning, stranding hundreds of passengers aboard the vessel. According to Marine Atlantic, the ship has been stabilized and secured at its current location. Just after 8:30 a.m., the ferry — carrying 398 passengers and 91 crew members — hit a dock at the site of a former fish plant and nudged a small building. There were no injuries reported. Marine Atlantic spokesperson Darrell Mercer said they are waiting for high tide to try to bring the ship back to port, and return passengers to shore. There is no word on damage to the Blue Puttees. “At this point in time, we’re still assessing the situation," Mercer said Wednesday at noon. There is also no news on possible causes of the incident. “That’s still part of our investigation," Mercer said. Marine Atlantic has contacted regulatory authorities. The Transportation Safety Board has deployed two investigators to Port aux Basques to assess the grounding of the Blue Puttees. Passengers recount experience Keith Flynn, who is aboard the Blue Puttees, said Wednesday it was “business as usual” when the ship left dock — at first. “We just came to a very abrupt stop,” Flynn told CBC News. “There was a jolt.” Flynn said conditions were foggy at the time. Jamie Whalen from Corner Brook, also a passenger, was down in one of the cabins at the time of impact. “When she hit, it was just like a big bang,” Whalen said. He said the ferry knocked down a building and a light pole. “She is right on the dock,” he said. As of late Wednesday morning, according to Whalen, passengers were “settling in” and waiting for the tide to rise. Back on shore, Port aux Basques Mayor Brian Button told CBC News the town is ready to help passengers stuck aboard the Blue Puttees. |
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
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Post by Nick on Aug 10, 2013 4:24:33 GMT -8
I've looked long and hard for a decent photo that shows exactly how tight the harbour at Port Aux Basques really is, and I think I finally found one. Photo by Stephen Ings.  |
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timo
Deckhand
Posts: 57
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Post by timo on Aug 22, 2013 12:07:44 GMT -8
Regarding the beautiful Atlantic Vision, ex Superfast IX, her charter has been lengthened 12 months.
She surely looks massive in the picture before this message.
Tallink Grupp AS : Charter of Superfast IX
08/22/2013 | 09:12am US/EasternRecommend:
0
Tallink Grupp
Company Announcement Charter of Superfast IX
Tallinn, 2013-08-22 08:50 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A subsidiary of AS Tallink Grupp, Baltic SF IX Limited and Marine Atlantic Inc, a Canadian company with the state participation therein, have concluded to extend the charter agreement of Superfast IX for one year, until November 2014. Marine Atlantic Inc plans to continue operating the vessel in the Canadian waters under the name of M/S Atlantic Vision.
M/S Superfast IX has beenon the long-term bareboat charter since November 14, 2008.
Harri Hanschmidt
Head of Investor Relations
AS Tallink Grupp
Sadama 5/7. 10111 Tallinn
Tel +372 640 8981
E-mail harri.hanschmidt@tallink.ee
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toby
Oiler (New Member)
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Post by toby on Oct 7, 2013 15:45:50 GMT -8
Well, I am back at school. I actually got back this morning, but then went right to sleep. We were finally transferred to the MV Highlanders around 2:30 yesterday afternoon and departed North Sydney at 4:30pm. We joined up with over 100 people who were already on the Highlanders, sop there was about 130 people on board. We were given a complimentary meal and were then quickly introduced to an Atlantic storm and were tossed around by the 6m seas quite nicely. We reached Port aux Basques harbor around 11:30pm and the ship made the tight turnaround in the harbor to back into the berth with no problems. We then disembarked and hailed a taxi into town for some grub, the old guy was about 8-0 and said he had been driving taxi for 50 years, he was really confusing and a little bit fried, so after he dropped us off at the Tim Horton's we decided to walk back to the terminal. We boarded the Highlanders and departed Port aux Basques at 3:30 am the next morning. We went right to sleep and didn't wake up until we made land in North Sydney. I would like to make a couple of comments about Marine Atlantic's winter service. Their customer service kinda sucks. One, you are not allowed to sleep on the floor, I was rudely awakened Friday night and was told I had to be in a chair. The chairs barely recline and are quite uncomfortable. I figure they just want to sell cabins. They also close off the majority of the ship, there is enough room for the passengers on board, but we were pretty much limited to one seating area and a couple of chairs in a hallway upstairs. Two, food service is HORRIBLE. The Restaurant was not open Friday night when we boarded, but the bar was open. No food in the bar. The snack bar was open, but it is simply that a snack bar. They have gas station sandwiches and cookies. They do have soup and hot-dogs listed on the menu, but they were not available. They ran out of coffee on Friday night and the steward said they wouldn't be making more tonight. Saturday on the Blue Puttees, the Restaurant did not open for breakfast. When we were transferred to the Highlanders, the food situation wasn't much better. We were given a complimentary diner in the restaurant, but it was small and when it was over the restaurant was locked up again. Again, there was no soup or hot-dog in the snack bar. Lastly this morning the restaurant did not open again and there was no food service on board. Thirdly, there are no public showers on board that I could find, and the bathrooms could have been a little cleaner. ALL in ALL my trip was fun, it was an experience, but I think Marine Atlantic has a lot to learn in the Customer Service department. Cheers, Pics to come. I am lost why anyone expects breakfast at 11:45 AM or PM using the schedule of 2013? Ferry crews have to sleep as well as the rest of us. Most cruise ships restaurants and buffet close too before midnight. |
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toby
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Post by toby on Oct 7, 2013 16:06:37 GMT -8
Nothing too special, just a couple pics of the MV Highlanders arriving in N. Sydney today. There's a wee bit of ice in the harbour, but nothing to worry about yet. If it continues to stay cold, and the wind pushes the sea ice in from the St Lawrence outflow, we might a bit more impact.   Considering the three new ferries which have been leased. Obviously the Atlantic Vision is targeted for the Gulf route, the longer overnight route, where as the Blue Puttees and Highlander are targeted for the much shorter Cabot Strait route done at night and during the day. The twins have three large sitting areas useful for a short route, while the Atlantic Vision has more cabins for an overnight route without much if any sitting areas. Unfortunately Marine Atlantic have used the Atlantic Vision on the Cabot Strait route in the past when they shouldn't have. She wasn't designed for such a short route. The Superfast ferries are very popular long distance overnight ferries worldwide, they are only so many, and obviously Marine Atlantic had to lease her or lose her to another ferry firm. The Stena twins were leased later and had to be reconfigured for the shorter Gulf route with significant sitting areas they didn't have before conversion. Leasing available ferries is the quickest way to solve the obsolescent ferries problem. Building new ships will five years or more before they enter service. All three ferries are beautiful vessels which should serve Canada well, but with any shipping there will be mechanical issues and weather related delays. Airlines and cruise ships have those same issues too. |
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toby
Oiler (New Member)
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Post by toby on Oct 7, 2013 16:16:32 GMT -8
Regarding the beautiful Atlantic Vision, ex Superfast IX, her charter has been lengthened 12 months. She surely looks massive in the picture before this message. Tallink Grupp AS : Charter of Superfast IX08/22/2013 | 09:12am US/EasternRecommend:0 Tallink GruppCompany Announcement Charter of Superfast IXTallinn, 2013-08-22 08:50 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A subsidiary of AS Tallink Grupp, Baltic SF IX Limited and Marine Atlantic Inc, a Canadian company with the state participation therein, have concluded to extend the charter agreement of Superfast IX for one year, until November 2014. Marine Atlantic Inc plans to continue operating the vessel in the Canadian waters under the name of M/S Atlantic Vision.M/S Superfast IX has beenon the long-term bareboat charter since November 14, 2008.Harri HanschmidtHead of Investor RelationsAS Tallink GruppSadama 5/7. 10111 TallinnTel +372 640 8981E-mail harri.hanschmidt@tallink.eeWhy only a one year extension? I thought Marine Atlantic would sign for another lease for five more years. While she isn't as good a ferry for the short Strait route as the Stena twins, she is better than nothing for a stop gap. She is able to serve both ports on the Strait route. I doubt whether a larger ferry could. |
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timo
Deckhand
Posts: 57
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Post by timo on Mar 12, 2014 1:27:44 GMT -8
Why only a one year extension? I thought Marine Atlantic would sign for another lease for five more years. While she isn't as good a ferry for the short Strait route as the Stena twins, she is better than nothing for a stop gap. She is able to serve both ports on the Strait route. I doubt whether a larger ferry could. Sorry, saw this only now. I suspect this has to do with the fact that Tallink was also negotiating with Stena Line about continuing the charter of the Superfast VII and Superfast VIII to Stena. These negotiations dragged on and a five-year deal was eventually signed about a month or two ago. I doubt this is the only reason, though. Right now charter rates are low and owners prefer to charter out for short periods unless the rates are on the high-end of current market rates. Stena has apparently bought the remaining fourth vessel of the quartet, currently named Dieppe Seaways (ex Superfast X), and she is chartered to DFDS until the end of 2014. |
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,075
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Post by Nick on Mar 15, 2014 18:39:54 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Nov 18, 2014 8:47:29 GMT -8
I spotted some very interesting videos on 'YouTube' this morning relating to the problems Marine Atlantic was experiencing back in 2010 and what the Federal Government did to 'FIX'' the problem. I was unaware that Marine Atlantic is a Federal Crown Corporation and as such receives funding directly from the Feds. The Minister of State - Transportation, Rob Merrifield was in charge of this portfolio at the time of the news announcements by the Federal government. Marine Atlantic was in the process of retiring the 'M.V. Caribou' and the 'M.V. Joseph and Clara Smallwood' after approximately 20 years of service. Under-capacity and schedule reliability were some of the issues facing Marine Atlantic and with commercial truckers screaming blue murder the Feds. finally responded to the complaints. In a nutshell, the life-line thrown to Marine Atlantic, (remember it's a Federal crown corporation), is mind boggling! Minister Merrifield announced One Billion Dollars over 5 years would be injected into the company in the form of three new, or nearly new ships being leased and a refit of the recently acquired M.V. Leif Erickson. Yes folks, that is $ One Billion,no typo  Not done quite yet shoveling money off the back end of the Federal money wagon, Merrifield also coughed up another $ 90 Million for the restoration, refitting etc. of shore/docking facilities at terminals served by Marine Atlantic. Marine Atlantic carried out an overhaul of its management structure, and restructured its finances. (most likely at the behest of the Feds.) Is it possible that Federal Government could be enticed to set up shop with a similar crown corporation on the West coast? In my humble opinion, I rather doubt that we will ever see a Federal crown corporation replace BC Ferries, however, there seems to be a sizable disparity in the funds BC Ferries receives from Ottawa.....just a few bucks? |
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 18, 2014 10:05:57 GMT -8
Is it possible that Federal Government could be enticed to set up shop with a similar crown corporation on the West coast? In my humble opinion, I rather doubt that we will ever see a Federal crown corporation replace BC Ferries, however, there seems to be a sizable disparity in the funds BC Ferries receives from Ottawa.....just a few bucks? It is my understanding that the Atlantic Canada routes of Marine Atlantic are primarily inter-provincial, while here on the west coast BC Ferries' routes are all within the province of BC. The federal government's role in transportation within Canada is primarily to support inter-provincial transportation. I also think there were promises (guarantees) made to Newfoundland & Labrador in 1949 to entice them to become Canadians. Sometimes I think that Vancouver Islanders might be better off to undo the union of 1866 in which the colony of Vancouver Island joined with the colony of British Columbia to become one. Why would I say such an outlandish thing? 1 - The far less than equitable treatment the Island & coast beyond is getting from the current government of BC (driven, it appears, largely by very odoriferous partisan politics) 2 - As a separate province trade between the Island & the mainland would become 'inter-provincial' and the feds would be obliged finally to support ferry service on this coast in much the same way they do on the east coast. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 18, 2014 11:38:26 GMT -8
I was unaware that Marine Atlantic is a Federal Crown Corporation and as such receives funding directly from the Feds. The Minister of State - Transportation, Rob Merrifield was in charge of this portfolio at the time of the news announcements by the Federal government. Marine Atlantic and its federal funding is part of the plum that enticed Newfoundland to enter confederation in 1949. British Columbia received its confederation plum in the late 19th century by way of the E&N Railroad and the CPR trans-continental route. |
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Post by Starsteward on Nov 18, 2014 13:38:14 GMT -8
I was unaware that Marine Atlantic is a Federal Crown Corporation and as such receives funding directly from the Feds. The Minister of State - Transportation, Rob Merrifield was in charge of this portfolio at the time of the news announcements by the Federal government. Marine Atlantic and its federal funding is part of the plum that enticed Newfoundland to enter confederation in 1949. British Columbia received its confederation plum in the late 19th century by way of the E&N Railroad and the CPR trans-continental route. As you and Wett Coast have so admirably pointed out: I guess we're just 'plumb out of luck'  One plumb per customer. |
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Nov 27, 2014 7:17:40 GMT -8
Actually....Marine Atlantic wasn't founded until 1986; before that, CN ran the ferries (with a federal subsidy of course) under its CN Marine division. Hmmm...that sounds awfully familar actually...
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,075
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Post by Nick on Feb 21, 2015 21:42:36 GMT -8
This was posted this week on the Marine Atlantic Facebook group. marineatlanticjourney.ca/2015/02/19/focus-changing/It's an interesting article/propaganda piece about the changes at Marine Atlantic in the last 10 years. Bear in mind, that since 2008 MA has completely renewed their fleet by scrapping the 1980s vintage MV Caribou and MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood, and chartering the MV Atlantic Vision from Superfast/Tallink and the MV Highlanders and MV Blue Puttees from Stena. Last year was one of the worst ice years in recent memory, and this year is proving to be a decent ice year as well. In both cases, the new MA fleet has been a huge asset in keeping traffic moving in a vital transportation link. There's an interesting blurb in the article about when and how they cancel/postpone sailings, and their rationale behind the cancellations. It's a topic that comes up over and over again every winter when people moan and complain about how they cancel sailings so frequently "these days", and is a common complaint on the west coast during winter storm season. |
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ghYHZ
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Post by ghYHZ on Mar 10, 2015 12:37:28 GMT -8
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ghYHZ
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Post by ghYHZ on Mar 10, 2015 12:41:44 GMT -8
There’s an interesting contrast between the east and west coasts: All these ferry routes fighting ice conditions are south of the 49 th parallel (the US-Canada border across the west) and all are further south than any route that BC Ferries operates.
On the Nova Scotia – Newfoundland run the ferries operate year ‘round and ice conditions have been bad. These are large “Northern Baltic Class 1A” ice-breaking ferries and quite capable of handling most ice conditions but the past few days they’ve needed some help from the Coast Guard Ice Breakers.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/marine-atlantic-ferry-schedule-delayed-due-to-sea-ice-1.2986323
I’ve been on winter crossings to Newfoundland. Most make the run in the schedule 6 or 7 hours but I can remember a couple: a 15 hour detour to avoid the ice and 36 hours riding out a storm. Just make sure you get a cabin in winter…..a lot more comfortable than sitting up in coach if you get stuck and they’ll keep you well fed…..but there’s no complementary bar!
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One plumb per customer.
