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Post by Kahloke on Apr 6, 2010 12:28:20 GMT -8
It's an interesting problem. I was trying to think if a group such as that would run into similar issues at our ferry terminals (WSF), and can't really think of any terminal where the conditions sgrant described would be duplicated. Colman Dock in Seattle is the only terminal I can think of where walking kayaks onto a vessel would be an issue, and that's primarily because there isn't any way to get into the terminal area without going through the auto toll booths. Walk-ons enter via the terminal building which would not work if you are toting a kayak.
Our terminals are much smaller than the mega-terminals in BC (Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay) so the logistics of getting from point A (parking lot) to Point B (dockside staging area) are a little easier. I would imagine it would also be easier at some of the smaller BC Ferries terminals, too.
I'm curious - how do the Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay terminals handle bicyclists riding on? This situation doesn't seem that different.
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Post by sgrant on Apr 6, 2010 12:53:58 GMT -8
To answer the last query first. Cyclists just ride down to the dock, and are the first to walk aboard. Unlike foot traffic other than dog owners, cyclists board via the car deck. The difference between kayak/canoe users and cyclists, is that the kayak/canoes have to be brought nearby by car. The closer the better.
In this case, this means driving right down to the dock, unloading the paddlecraft there, and taking the cars back out to a parking lot. Reverse the process on the return, while the disembarking cyclists just ride away.
I'm only an occasional paddler and don't belong to a paddling club. The Sea Kayak Association of BC presumably would be in the best position to liaise with BC Ferries. But I'm not a member and haven't been able to get through their contact system. I have heard from a few of them, however, and they seem to all use carts and trundle their boats from the BC Ferries parking lot at Tsawassen.
However, I know a few people hand-carry their kayaks aboard (using two people with two hands each, one end of each of the kayaks per hand). That's not feasible even from the causeway parking lots.
Carting is not sensible from the Park & Go, so BC Ferries wants paddlers to pay for parking in the Short Term lot while loading and unloading. It also means wheeling these rather large and cumbersom objects through the crowded passenger terminal.
As for treatment, 30 years ago it was typical for cyclists to be treated like a nuisance on the ferries. Whereas today, the front line staff are pretty supportive.
Still, inequities remain. I believe if you calculate how much deck space and vessel tonnage is needed to carry a bicycle compared to a motorhome or even a car, and compare that to the fares charged, cyclists pay far more than their share of the ferry construction and operating costs. So we have the absurdity of cyclists subsidizing RV's and cars. But as they say, the average IQ is only 100.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 16, 2010 19:16:33 GMT -8
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Post by dofd on Apr 16, 2010 21:18:59 GMT -8
When I flew for UPS on the Vancouver to Seattle route, one of the UPS managers told me that they and FedEx were the biggest drug shippers in the US. Domestic packages were never checked. (1995 to 1997)
You could send anything in house A to B.
BC Ferries would be the same, plus could drive them your self.
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Post by lmtengs on Apr 16, 2010 21:33:32 GMT -8
Not very secure for the package, though. Anyone could take it on the other side. No less secure than Airport Baggage Carousels...
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Post by lmtengs on May 28, 2010 14:58:43 GMT -8
When I was on the Queen of Langdale heading to Gibsons last Sunday, I asked the woman at the Chief Steward's office for a bridge tour, since I've never been on the bridge of a C-Class ship before. She responded by telling me that "new BC Ferries regulations do not permit visitors on the wheelhouses." I asked why, and she shrugged, saying that she presumes that it had something to do with "the incident on the Coastal ship a few months ago." I thanked her and left. On my way home from the Sunshine Coast, I decided to see if a different Chief Steward was on duty. Indeed there was. I decided to try asking again, and this time, she didn't hesitate in calling the bridge to ask if I could go up. The captain declined, stating to her that there were too many small boats in front of the ferry, but nobody said anything about regulations not permitting tours. I was not yet satisfied though. I asked if I could get a tour of the stern wheelhouse, since it was not currently being used. She said that nobody ever sets foot in the not-in-use wheelhouse. Why is this though? EDIT: I'm not gonna bother changing the wrong ferry name up top, I think it's kinda comical. Don't we all love typos.... But no, I was not on the 'Queen of Langdale'... I was on the Queen of Coquitlam.
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Post by bcferryfan87 on May 28, 2010 20:42:33 GMT -8
When I was on the Queen of Langdale heading to Gibsons last Sunday, I asked the woman at the Chief Steward's office for a bridge tour, since I've never been on the bridge of a C-Class ship before. She responded by telling me that "new BC Ferries regulations do not permit visitors on the wheelhouses." I asked why, and she shrugged, saying that she presumes that it had something to do with "the incident on the Coastal ship a few months ag[/font]o." I thanked her and left. On my way home from the Sunshine Coast, I decided to see if a different Chief Steward was on duty. Indeed there was. I decided to try asking again, and this time, she didn't hesitate in calling the bridge to ask if I could go up. The captain declined, stating to her that there were too many small boats in front of the ferry, but nobody said anything about regulations not permitting tours. I was not yet satisfied though. I asked if I could get a tour of the stern wheelhouse, since it was not currently being used. She said that nobody ever sets foot in the not-in-use wheelhouse. Why is this though? EDIT: I'm not gonna bother changing the wrong ferry name up top, I think it's kinda comical. Don't we all love typos.... But no, I was not on the 'Queen of Langdale'... I was on the Queen of Coquitlam. [/quote] what incident is being referred to (on the bridge months ago). I'm glad I was able to get my tour in on The Vancouver last year.
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Post by lmtengs on May 28, 2010 21:16:38 GMT -8
what incident is being referred to (on the bridge months ago). I'm glad I was able to get my tour in on The Vancouver last year. I thought one of the crew let their girlfriend come up to the wheelhouse with him, but she got rowdy or something... I forget exactly what happened.
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Post by fargowolf on May 29, 2010 15:59:49 GMT -8
And I thought that security was meant to be an "all hands on deck" job. I've been turned down simply because I'm "too young and not available enough" Could be worse. I've ACTUALLY been turned down for being the wrong "race" WTF?! That from Capetian Lowe...
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Post by Dane on May 30, 2010 12:35:47 GMT -8
Wonder much of those "flaky drugs" have made it over to The Island that way before Fido began his shift at Tsawwassen. If I understand this post you're suggesting that the transportation of drugs is BC Ferries issue? Or have I misunderstood this?
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 30, 2010 13:53:58 GMT -8
Wonder much of those "flaky drugs" have made it over to The Island that way before Fido began his shift at Tsawwassen. If I understand this post you're suggesting that the transportation of drugs is BC Ferries issue? Or have I misunderstood this? I think he's just saying that drugs sometimes get transported on BC Ferries. What does it matter who's issue it is or what that even means?
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