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Post by corporalrabbinoff on Nov 5, 2008 19:23:53 GMT -8
I am not sure which of the 2 originals was the first flagship, but I know the QPR took that title from 1966 untill 1980 when it was transferred to the Much superior Queen of The North. To this day I have not heard Offical reports from BC Ferries that the title has been given to any other single vessle. Yes there was a lot of hype about the Spirit of BC and I do recall the media reporting that she was the new flagship, Then we had the Pacificats and now the Coastals. However Nothing Official from BC Ferries. There is no Marketing advertisement in the last 15 or so years that reported the actual Flagship other than the QTN. If I am wrong and someone can enlighten me please do. Now with the brand new Northern Expedition nearing the end of its construction phase, I think BC Ferries has the perfect vessle to claim the "Flagship" status. It all comes down to Marketing and advertisment. If they declare the NOR-EX the flagship, this attracts people to the Northern run. It worked with the QPR and QTN and what better way to promote the Inside passage than with a Brand New Flagship. If BC Ferries was smart this is what they would do. The Title "Flagship" stands out. People think there is something special about the vessle that other ships don't have. And the Nor-ex has it: -First she is a brand new ship. - She is the largest BC Ferries vessle to sail up north -She sails the Inside Passage which in itself is a major attraction. -She is alot better in every sense compared to the Nor-AD I just think the Flagship should be unique and Stands out above all of the others.   |
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Mill Bay
Voyager 
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887 
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Post by Mill Bay on Nov 5, 2008 19:51:47 GMT -8
The Northern Expedition is intended to be the new flagship of the fleet according to the superintendent of the northern fleet... traditionally this title has been held by a northern fleet ship beginning with the QPR and then the QoTn. I think that, since the North is gone now, we can reasonably assert our ferry fan prerogative and conclude that the QPR is once again flagship of the fleet. Good thing that they spruced up her interior a little bit to make it a little bit more worthy of the flagship for her final days.
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Nov 6, 2008 21:46:32 GMT -8
I thought it was the Norad?
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Post by gordon on Nov 7, 2008 19:40:28 GMT -8
How about having on of the Super Cs as the flagship Maybe the Coastal Renaissance?
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Post by Mike C on Nov 7, 2008 21:44:19 GMT -8
I thought it was the Norad? LOL!!!! Sorry, the NorAd can be the flagship of Deas. Not BC Ferries. How about having on of the Super Cs as the flagship Maybe the Coastal Renaissance? You act as though we have a choice... and no, a double-ended ship should never be a flagship of ANY fleet (I'm talking to YOU WSF). If it be one of the Southern Coast ships, I'd have to say, one of the <sigh> Spirits.... |
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Post by Canucks on Nov 7, 2008 22:04:36 GMT -8
If we had to choose a Southern ship then of course my vote is for the Queen of Richmond. Otherwise, The Queen of Prince Rupert gets my vote and hopefully soon the Norex. |
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 7, 2008 22:48:35 GMT -8
I know that the QotN was the flagship from 1980 onward. I believe, however, in 1993, BCFC 'officially' passed it over to the Spirits. I have never heard anything official to say the the Spirits do not continue to serve jointly as the flag ships today. In fact I suspect that the 'private & independent'  company BCFS may have dispensed with the flagship concept altogether. And New Flyer, you are spot on on both counts re the NorAd as flagship of Deas, and the floating elongated wedding cakes as flag ships. I do expect/hope the NorEx becomes the flagship within say six months. |
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Post by kerryssi on Nov 8, 2008 17:35:26 GMT -8
I vote for managements favorite ship "Queen of Denial"
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Post by Northern Exploration on Nov 8, 2008 18:42:28 GMT -8
Bang bang goes the drum playing the same tune over and over  . Anyways - moving on. I think due to the nature of the loss of the QoftN, BCFC hasn't really named another ship to that role yet. It is afterall mostly an honorary or marketing term. I will be interested to see if BC Ferries uses in for the NorEx. |
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Post by Hardy on Nov 9, 2008 6:28:01 GMT -8
We could always pull out (of the closet?) the unofficial former flagship -- The Queen of Much-needed Repairs ... that name was a running gag with local media outlets for a long time when the state of (dis)repair of the vessels was truely showing. Heck, she might even be the Queen of Richmond in wolf's clothing (or drag?).
Maybe the two could be co-flagships ... or maybe merge them into the Spirit of Lulu Island ...
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Post by Starsteward on Nov 9, 2008 7:51:44 GMT -8
The QPR was the initial flagship of BCFerries but was replaced by the bigger, sleeker looking Q of the North.
The 'flag-ship' label has usually and historically been given to one of the ships on the Northern run although there is nothing stopping BCFerries from putting that tag on any ship.
Also, the 'flag-ship' designation usually refers to one ship of one building style, hence the Coastals would be at a disadvantage as there are 3 of the little puppies, and we wouldn't want to start a family squabble about who was worthy of more 'flag' than the other.
Pity the poor 'Inspiration', being the middle child in that group:)
Once the Norex, comes out, bad name and all, gosh, thought they could have been somewhat more creative, I believe BCFerries will proudly show of their new baby girl and declare that the new darling baby should be for some time to come, the Flag-ship of the BCF Fleet.
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Post by Ferryman on Nov 9, 2008 18:53:06 GMT -8
I could definitely see the NorEx becoming the next true flagship. We're already sort of seeing a sign of it, and she hasn't even left the shipyard. The most obvious sign, is the fact that she is not recieving that Coastalized interior we've all learned to dislike. I believe we'll be seeing things such as nice drapes around the windows, nice woodwork in the Cafeteria, and maybe even a grand piano. It reminds me of the Queen of the North already...
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,080
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Post by Nick on Nov 9, 2008 19:00:02 GMT -8
On the recent QPR trip, we were talking with a member of senior BCF management. Part of the conversation was about the "Flagship" status given to a certain ship. According to this person, BCF has always regarded a member of the Northern Fleet the flagship, as they are an example of the "picturesque" ship, rather than just a pond-hopping ferry. I don't think they have re-assigned a the "Flagship" position yet because they don't want to draw more attention to the Queen of the North tragedy. However, this person also mentioned that the Northern Expedition will in fact assume the position of "flagship".
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Post by Northern Exploration on Nov 9, 2008 19:17:04 GMT -8
I agree Chris. I think the NorEx is going to be even more of a leap ahead as far as amenities and quality of the interior than any of the other ferries. So it should be a flagship in every sense of the word even if BCFerries doesn't use the term.
The QoftN orginally had an interior similar but a little nicer than the QPR. After her last refit the public spaces were very much upgraded. The Buffet/Bar area was pretty good and I think the cafeteria was somewhat coastalized but nicely done. The cabins weren't changed that much except perhaps the bed spread and curtains but I can't be sure if they were altered at all even. The extra cost SeaWest Lounge was added. The Prince of Wales Lounge and other seating areas were improved as well. Not quite cruise ship quality and probably not in the league of European ferries but quite good for North America.
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Post by Queen of Vancouver on Dec 1, 2008 14:23:57 GMT -8
The Spirit's will always be the flagships of the fleet in my books.
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Post by WettCoast on May 27, 2009 20:24:04 GMT -8
While on the inaugural sailing of the Northern Expedition I was told (by the Supt. of Northern Service, I think) that she is now considered to be the 'Flag Ship of the Fleet'. There has been no 'official ceremony' to mark this, that I am aware of.  |
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on May 27, 2009 21:27:02 GMT -8
Maybe I've missed it, but I don't recall seeing any opinions on what seems like a really basic question, now that people have sailed on both and are able to compare them...
Which is the superior 'flagship', in terms of overall passenger experience, the Northern Expedition, or Queen of The North? Maybe out of respect to the departed, people might not like to answer, but it seems inevitable that comparisons will be made.
Given his oft expressed affection for the 'North, and seeing as he's our primary north coast correspondent, I'm particularly interested in WCK's views on this.
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Post by WettCoast on May 28, 2009 22:16:28 GMT -8
Flag Ships - QPR to the NorEx....  QPR - 1966-1980 - Bear Cove 1979 [DOT]  QotN - 1980-1993 - Tsawwassen - Dec 1980 [JST]  Spirit Class -1993-2007 - SoBC near Swartz Bay - May 1995 [JST]  Coastal Class - 2007 - 2009 - CRen - October 2008 - near Horseshoe Bay [JST]  Northern Expedition - 2009 - ? - Prince Rupert Harbour - May 2009 [JST] The NorEx is most definitely worthy of being the new flag ship and genearlly compares well with the Q of the North. I will discuss this further tomorrow. |
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Post by Curtis on May 29, 2009 16:44:57 GMT -8
Interesting note, The QPR, QotN, and SoBC/VI all had about 13 or 14 Years as flagship.
Also thought I'd point out that the FastCats were the flagships at one point.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887
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Post by Mill Bay on May 30, 2009 20:48:39 GMT -8
Flag Ships - QPR to the NorEx.... QPR - 1966-1980 QotN - 1980-1993 Spirit Class -1993-2007 Coastal Class - 2007 - 2009 - Northern Expedition - 2009 - ? The NorEx is most definitely worthy of being the new flag ship and generally compares well with the Q of the North. I will discuss this further tomorrow. This list is only plausible if you feel that the flagship distinction is based on which ship(s) is used as the poster child for the company for a particular time. Just because the Spirits and Coastals show up in the newest series of post cards doesn't necessarily mean they are flagships. Maybe they are more likely publicity ships. A flagship in a traditional sense is the most widely renowned/respected, the most well operated, highly trained with the best and brightest crews possible. The most spit and polished, the ship that the Admiral would choose as his own personal command center and home at sea, where he would unfurl his own personal flag from the mast. I suppose that David Hahn and any of the top executives wouldn't mind traveling on the Coastals or the Spirits, but if they chose to unfurl their personal flag from the mast, I wonder if it would more likely be for the 90 minute jaunt of a route 1 crossing, or for the day trip aboard the Northern Expedition where they could truly cruise in formal style. |
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company BCFS may have dispensed with the flagship concept altogether. 
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