Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
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Post by Neil on Nov 5, 2013 22:51:04 GMT -8
The elephant in the room with regard to this story is the earlier stated need to raise private equity financing. This group seems to have a much better handle on the challenges of a venture like this than some of the other goofballs who've preceded them (I'm not referring to Harbourlynx), but will they end up securing the financial support necessary to nurture this business over the several years required to give it credibility as a dependable carrier?
Clipper Navigation and Black Ball have shown that, given the right market and the right business model, there can be modest success in the unsubsidized ferry market on our coast. The Nanaimo market, though, is much smaller, and the deal they're attempting to work out with the city could indeed be seen as subsidized.
A real challenge, and an intriguing story to watch unfold.
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Post by whalebreath on Nov 10, 2013 17:17:13 GMT -8
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Post by compdude787 on Nov 10, 2013 18:36:27 GMT -8
Hmm, that looks like a cross between WSF's Snohomish/ Chinook, and the Victoria Clipper IV.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Nov 10, 2013 23:43:57 GMT -8
Hmm, that looks like a cross between WSF's Snohomish/ Chinook, and the Victoria Clipper IV. Yeah I agree with you. Is the second ferry like this design? Will are these ferries going to dock in Vancouver?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 15, 2013 21:47:29 GMT -8
Here's another news story about the proposed new Nanaimo foot-ferry. See if you recognize the name of Island Ferries' Managing-Director... Answer here
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Post by Ferryman on Nov 16, 2013 0:46:49 GMT -8
Here's another news story about the proposed new Nanaimo foot-ferry. See if you recognize the name of Island Ferries' Managing-Director... Answer hereThis whole thing is becoming more and more interesting. It's interesting to see who's coming out of the woodwork who are involved with getting this service started. Another thing that has caught my eye are the vessels being used. Our old friend Cascade mentioned time and time again about 7 years ago that there is a company trying to get a ferry service started, and are building ships at "Damen Shipyard". Sure enough, the build years on these vessels fit that timeframe it seems, and it would be interesting to find out if this has any connection to what he was mentioning. Food for thought.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 16, 2013 10:38:39 GMT -8
Another thing that has caught my eye are the vessels being used. Our old friend Cascade mentioned time and time again about 7 years ago that there is a company trying to get a ferry service started, and are building ships at "Damen Shipyard". Sure enough, the build years on these vessels fit that timeframe it seems, and it would be interesting to find out if this has any connection to what he was mentioning. Here's an article from early 2006 from Business Edge (I've bolded some of what I've found relevant to the 2013 story, as well as some items for us forum old-timers) Full article HERE
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Post by NMcKay on Nov 19, 2013 15:29:26 GMT -8
its a similar design to that of the Lynx, less a "Doghouse" on the back. I cannot provide any insight into what is going on with this particular company, as neither I, nor my politically minded father are partaking in this adventure at this time.
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Post by Scott on Feb 26, 2014 20:34:18 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 20, 2014 18:09:46 GMT -8
The latest news on the possible Nanaimo fast-ferry is that Island Ferries and City of Nanaimo have a 20-year lease agreement for dock space. It is in the "south waterfront" which likely means near the cruise-ship dock. Of course, this is all irrelevant unless Island Ferries get its investors in line and signed-up. Story here: from Nanaimo Daily News
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Post by Dane on Jun 19, 2014 21:36:16 GMT -8
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 19, 2014 22:08:42 GMT -8
I remember they have had passenger only ferries before from Nanaimo to Vancouver that dident end up working out. How is this one going to be any different?? More expensive too!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 21, 2014 9:03:05 GMT -8
Regardless of the latest step-forward in the long journey toward a foot-ferry, the main hurdle is still the lack of investor capital.
Until that gets completed, nothing will happen.
But when and if the investors arrive with the cash, the the various other parts should fall into place quickly, because of these various pre-set items.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
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Post by Neil on Jun 21, 2014 18:28:14 GMT -8
Regardless of the latest step-forward in the long journey toward a foot-ferry, the main hurdle is still the lack of investor capital. Until that gets completed, nothing will happen. But when and if the investors arrive with the cash, the the various other parts should fall into place quickly, because of these various pre-set items. This story reminds me of the latest development in the E&N saga, where Via Rail announced a couple of weeks ago that they would indeed re-instate passenger rail service on the Island *if* the mega millions in track upgrades were done. I've not heard of any plans whatsoever to actually get on with that.
$52,000 a year to the city of Nanaimo is the easy part.
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Post by Starsteward on Jun 22, 2014 12:21:14 GMT -8
The scenery on the Victoria to Courtenay trip on the E & N is quite grand and should definitely be maintained. One wonders if there have been any marketing proposals made to the cruise lines that call on Victoria and Nanaimo to offer add-on tours or the like. 'IF" the passenger ferry service between Nanaimo and Vancouver materializes, that service would add yet another possible incentive to get the E & N back up to speed. The B.C.Government and all Island community administrations should be working together in putting together a viable growth element to the tourism market. Historically, there appears to have been a desperate lack of 'political will' on many fronts to truly develop what could be a very unique tourism industry.
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Post by Dane on Jul 17, 2014 13:42:21 GMT -8
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Post by Dane on Aug 19, 2014 21:46:25 GMT -8
Terminal renders are now on Island Ferry Service's Facebook page: m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/islandferries?ref=stream Mod request: Can we either split or rename this whole thread to Island Ferry Service or something to that effect for purposes of searchability? Please disregard my made up word.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 19, 2015 9:17:05 GMT -8
The announcement this past week about a proposed fast ferry service between downtown Victoria and Vancouver, jogged my memory as to just where the above- quoted project might be at? Is it alive, dead, on life support or?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 19, 2015 9:33:27 GMT -8
The announcement this past week about a proposed fast ferry service between downtown Victoria and Vancouver, jogged my memory as to just where the above- quoted project might be at? Is it alive, dead, on life support or? I classify it as dormant. Meaning that the planning and preparation work done so far could be utilized when and if it finally goes forward.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 19, 2015 9:42:48 GMT -8
The announcement this past week about a proposed fast ferry service between downtown Victoria and Vancouver, jogged my memory as to just where the above- quoted project might be at? Is it alive, dead, on life support or? I classify it as dormant. Meaning that the planning and preparation work done so far could be utilized when and if it finally goes forward. Thanks for the "fast-ferry" response. I wonder if there is an investor or group that needs to rid themselves of millions $$$ in short order, gee, they could finance both proposed fast ferry routes.
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Post by Dane on Aug 23, 2017 11:17:13 GMT -8
From Island Ferries' Facebook page today, August 23, 2017:
Another update to our Facebook friends and followers, community supporters and future customers:
We are pleased to post the attached Press Release, jointly issued by the Nanaimo Port Authority and Island Ferries today (Wednesday August 23rd).
A full 20 months have passed since the Parties in Nanaimo decided in December 2015 to terminate the multi-party Memorandum of Understanding with Island Ferries and “test the market” through a Request for Proposal (which became a Request for Expressions of Interest). We were identified as the “preliminary preferred proponent on January 9, 2017. Since March 7th when the City, Port and Snuneymuxw First Nation issued the press release posted earlier on this page, we have been working to secure an “Offer to Lease” with the Nanaimo Port Authority.
Following numerous exchanges of proposals and direct negotiations, we are pleased to report that those negotiations have concluded. And that Island Ferries has secured an Offer to Lease that –
• is financially sustainable for the long term,
• keeps fares affordable and competitive for our customers,
• is consistent with and accommodates the needs of the broader community, and
• is acceptable to our investors and shareholders.
This is a significant milestone: there are many “moving parts” to this initiative and the lack of an operating location in Nanaimo has caused most other aspects to slow or stall. To use a domino analogy, the leading domino has just been pushed over and the resulting energy should now re-create the necessary momentum to bring this project to fruition.
So, what is next?
We need to finalize licensing arrangements in Vancouver, complete the environmental assessment required by the NPA, continue our engagement with the Snuneymuxw First Nation (including consultation associated with the environmental assessment), hire and train ship and terminal crews, and set up the various back-office systems (personnel, financial, marketing, ticketing, reservations, etc.). Physical infrastructure changes are needed at the Port and, to a much lesser extent, in Vancouver. And, of course, we need to trial the ships and take delivery of two brand new catamarans that now meet the highest environmental standards in the marine industry.
There are a lot of moving parts! Given all of this, we are now planning to start service by the end of June 2018.
As we have said many times, we remain committed to Nanaimo and to establishing a passenger-only service to downtown Vancouver that is dependable, reliable, affordable and sustainable for the long term.
We are relieved to have achieved this significant milestone and look forward to getting on with the work at hand. In addition to the work described above, this will also include ongoing dialogue with the City of Nanaimo, the Province of BC, business, community tourism and economic development representatives, and – by no means least – those of you who are looking forward to traveling with us.
Finally, thank you AGAIN for your continued support. We’ll keep you up to date and look forward to welcoming you on board!
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Post by Dane on Jun 4, 2018 14:43:30 GMT -8
From the Island Ferries Facebook page, today, June 4th, 2018:
A LONG-overdue update for our Facebook friends and followers, community supporters and future customers….
First, we apologize for the delay in posting this notice. There are a host of “moving parts” and it’s a bit challenging to keep them in focus and moving in the same direction, to be transparent with you, and to remain respectful of the other parties involved in this initiative.
Regrettably, we won’t be starting service this summer.
To recap and outline the work ahead of us:
We’ve been through a “Request for Expressions of Interest” with the City of Nanaimo and Nanaimo Port Authority, and we secured an “Offer to Lease” with the Nanaimo Port Authority. The time frame for that Offer to Lease has recently been extended and we are grateful to the NPA for their continued commitment.
TransLink subsequently initiated its own “Request for Information” process, another lengthy undertaking that led to Island Ferries being selected to enter into commercial negotiations. Our commercial negotiations with Translink are under a very restrictive non-disclosure agreement. As such, we cannot and will not speak to the details other than to say that the discussions are positive and that there are few remaining issues.
The IFSL-TransLink license must be approved by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) since the VFPA holds TransLink’s lease for the SeaBus Terminal. We did not anticipate that the very minor works required to the outside of the SeaBus Terminal (replacing the existing ramp and fenders) would require a comprehensive permit application to the VFPA – including a separate environmental assessment focused on the potential impact of our operations on marine mammals. The permit application and associated study were recently submitted but approval can take up to 60 days.
At this time and in order to move forward, we need to complete three key tasks:
1. We need to complete an environmental assessment required by the NPA, a requirement that emerged during lease negotiations. This work includes obtaining the Snuneymuxw First Nation’s input to the environmental assessment. This process has taken much longer than anyone had anticipated but we believe that it is nearing completion.
2. We need to complete negotiations and finalize licensing arrangements with TransLink for use of the South SeaBus Terminal in Vancouver.
3. We need VFPA approval of application to complete the external modification to the SeaBus terminal. As noted earlier, the VFPA’s stated approval timeline is between 10 and 60 days.
Frankly, we aren’t in control of the approval and negotiating timeline but, once these goals are met, we will be able to set a date for the start of service. That date will take into account the many activities that we have previously said need to be done in order to carry our first passengers:
• design, gain approval for, and make the physical infrastructure changes that are needed at the Nanaimo Port Authority and SeaBus terminal; • set up the various back-office systems (personnel, financial, marketing, ticketing, reservations, etc.); • hire and train ship and terminal crews, as well as the supporting team members; and • trial, ship from the construction yard to Nanaimo, and take delivery of two brand new catamarans (that will incidentally meet the highest environmental standards in the marine industry), and complete the remainder of the training program.
Admittedly, this is a very long update and the news will be disappointing to many. Including us. This is a complex, expensive undertaking with many moving parts (some of which have been most unexpected), yet we are working diligently through the regulatory processes to “keep those parts moving in the same direction”, and get this service underway.
As always, we truly appreciate the support and interest that we continue to receive from many, many quarters. Please bear with us. We are still investing on this project and remain fully committed to providing this much needed, and highly desired, Nanaimo-Vancouver service.
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Post by whalebreath on Jun 4, 2018 20:22:04 GMT -8
Thanks for the update Dane.
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Post by Starsteward on Jun 5, 2018 7:34:11 GMT -8
Thanks for the update Dane. Would it be appropriate to label this 'process' an example of bureaucratic overkill? No wonder why time-lines and set-up costs become excessively prohibited: and we wonder what all the fuss is about over whether or not we can get an inter-provincial pipeline built?
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Post by princessofvanfan on Jun 6, 2018 19:09:02 GMT -8
Hope this one works out - loved the HarborLynx. I've taken the Catalina Express to Avalon on Catalina Island as well a few times and absolutely love it. Great way to go (the helicopter is cool, too).
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