Post by Neil on Dec 6, 2008 10:48:24 GMT -8
Finally.... this forum gets the recognition it deserves.
Internet group to advise BC Ferries on ship placements
Vancouver Times
Saturday, December 6
PAUL ORNDORFF/rep.
BC Ferries Assistant CEO Fred Blassie unveiled a major policy shift yesterday, announcing that the company has signed an agreement to accept ship placement advice from an internet ferries expert site, the 'West Coast Ferries Forum'. The Forum, made up of enthusiasts, many in their teens and early twenties, will provide BC Ferries with free consultation on which routes vessels are to serve.
“We've traditionally placed ferries on routes according to service level requirements, engineering considerations, and crewing factors”, Blassie said. “We're thinking now that perhaps we should be looking a little more outside the box, and taking our fans into consideration, as well as our customers. The guys on this Forum have some interesting ideas.”
The internet discussion group has numerous freelance engineers and transportation planners among it's members, and has played a prominent role in the debate over technical aspects of the performance of BC Ferries' German built 'Super-C' class ferries. Members have been particularly critical about the number of bubbles produced by the new ships' propellers, a process which they say has led to levitation, with the ships riding too high in the water, and excessive noise, damaging the hearing of nearby seagulls.
Blassie revealed the company has also been following complaints on the Forum about ships not being moved quickly enough to cover overloads or breakdowns, and he vowed that will change.
“We've maybe been a little too conservative in not shifting vessels from one route to another when the need arises. We've always been concerned about crews not being familiar with different vessels, or being taken away from their home base, and overtime... bread and butter issues like that. We're going to get more creative. We're listening.”
Blassie said that on advice from forum members, vessels will now be shifted with considerably more dispatch. “We may have problems with crews not being familiar with safety systems, but there are ways around that. Transport Canada may be open to variations such as providing 'pool noodles' on all boats, and a set number of 'water wings' according to the number of kids on board, and if that doesn't satisfy them, well, it's amazing what a good bottle of scotch to the right person will do. If we can't get a cafeteria crew ready, we may be able to substitute some people from Burger King's on call list. Ferries Forum members have demonstrated a willingness to help steer and sound the ship's horn, so we may get them to help out. We'll get it done.”
Ferries will be shifted as soon as Forum members indicate a need is there. “We don't ever want to hear 'BC FERRIES MISSED THE BOAT AGAIN', again,” Blassie declared. “That hurts. Especially when Hardy shouts.”
Blassie also indicated there would be an increase in photo opportunities, another sore point with Forum members. “For instance, we're thinking of co-ordinating Gulf Islands and Route One schedules so that at some point there would be several vessels off Bellhouse Park on Galiano at one time. Forum members have suggested perhaps some sort of ferries version of the 'Snowbirds', and we think that's a great idea. Maybe throw in a small off duty boat such as the Klitsa, for effect. Maybe do some roundabouts, like the Coastal Renaissance did in Vancouver harbour last winter”.
Another possibility being considered is switching vessels briefly from route to route, also for photo opportunities, Blassie said. “I know Dave said the C's can't do Active Pass, but, hey, we've got some enthusiastic young guys with nice cameras, and we have to think of them. We may come up with some other ideas- switch the Skeena' to Thetis Island for a day, move the Nimpkish to Bowen... we'll see what the Forum guys would like. Customers will adjust. It's not like they can go to the competition.”
(At this point in the interview, a bystander who identified himself as 'Peter' interjected, “Yes they can! They can go with us! We loooove Bowen Island!”)
As to the cost that may be involved in accommodating fans' wishes, Blassie was straightforward. “There's been a big drop in the price of fuel. The government just gave us a whack of cash. It's time to live a little, and give something back to our ferry enthusiasts. Besides, taking on the Forum as an advisory panel lets us lay off a whole bunch of planning people in head office. This is a win win.”
Blassie said he was not concerned that some may feel money would be better spent in alleviating continuing fare increases, especially on coastal islands. “Many Forum members have told us that Gulf Islanders are just a bunch of complainers anyway; that they're rich and should be thankful they've got any ferry service, at whatever price we charge. We think they're right. We think we're going to get excellent advice from this group, and we don't mind going in a new direction if it gives our fans what they want. It's a serious matter that some of the young people have never had a chance to photograph the Queen of Alberni at Swartz Bay, never had a chance to see the Queen of Chilliwack round the tip of Rebecca Spit as she cruises into Heriot Bay. We intend to make that happen.”
The move to recognize the expertise of the Ferries Forum apparently was initiated on the advice of a newly hired British ferries consultant, Basil Cascade. Blassie said the public will notice a change in mid December, as Forum members have said they want all vessels in full operation to alleviate seasonal overloads and provide maximum photo ops for Forum 'road trips' during the holidays.
copyright Vancouver Times 12/06/08
Internet group to advise BC Ferries on ship placements
Vancouver Times
Saturday, December 6
PAUL ORNDORFF/rep.
BC Ferries Assistant CEO Fred Blassie unveiled a major policy shift yesterday, announcing that the company has signed an agreement to accept ship placement advice from an internet ferries expert site, the 'West Coast Ferries Forum'. The Forum, made up of enthusiasts, many in their teens and early twenties, will provide BC Ferries with free consultation on which routes vessels are to serve.
“We've traditionally placed ferries on routes according to service level requirements, engineering considerations, and crewing factors”, Blassie said. “We're thinking now that perhaps we should be looking a little more outside the box, and taking our fans into consideration, as well as our customers. The guys on this Forum have some interesting ideas.”
The internet discussion group has numerous freelance engineers and transportation planners among it's members, and has played a prominent role in the debate over technical aspects of the performance of BC Ferries' German built 'Super-C' class ferries. Members have been particularly critical about the number of bubbles produced by the new ships' propellers, a process which they say has led to levitation, with the ships riding too high in the water, and excessive noise, damaging the hearing of nearby seagulls.
Blassie revealed the company has also been following complaints on the Forum about ships not being moved quickly enough to cover overloads or breakdowns, and he vowed that will change.
“We've maybe been a little too conservative in not shifting vessels from one route to another when the need arises. We've always been concerned about crews not being familiar with different vessels, or being taken away from their home base, and overtime... bread and butter issues like that. We're going to get more creative. We're listening.”
Blassie said that on advice from forum members, vessels will now be shifted with considerably more dispatch. “We may have problems with crews not being familiar with safety systems, but there are ways around that. Transport Canada may be open to variations such as providing 'pool noodles' on all boats, and a set number of 'water wings' according to the number of kids on board, and if that doesn't satisfy them, well, it's amazing what a good bottle of scotch to the right person will do. If we can't get a cafeteria crew ready, we may be able to substitute some people from Burger King's on call list. Ferries Forum members have demonstrated a willingness to help steer and sound the ship's horn, so we may get them to help out. We'll get it done.”
Ferries will be shifted as soon as Forum members indicate a need is there. “We don't ever want to hear 'BC FERRIES MISSED THE BOAT AGAIN', again,” Blassie declared. “That hurts. Especially when Hardy shouts.”
Blassie also indicated there would be an increase in photo opportunities, another sore point with Forum members. “For instance, we're thinking of co-ordinating Gulf Islands and Route One schedules so that at some point there would be several vessels off Bellhouse Park on Galiano at one time. Forum members have suggested perhaps some sort of ferries version of the 'Snowbirds', and we think that's a great idea. Maybe throw in a small off duty boat such as the Klitsa, for effect. Maybe do some roundabouts, like the Coastal Renaissance did in Vancouver harbour last winter”.
Another possibility being considered is switching vessels briefly from route to route, also for photo opportunities, Blassie said. “I know Dave said the C's can't do Active Pass, but, hey, we've got some enthusiastic young guys with nice cameras, and we have to think of them. We may come up with some other ideas- switch the Skeena' to Thetis Island for a day, move the Nimpkish to Bowen... we'll see what the Forum guys would like. Customers will adjust. It's not like they can go to the competition.”
(At this point in the interview, a bystander who identified himself as 'Peter' interjected, “Yes they can! They can go with us! We loooove Bowen Island!”)
As to the cost that may be involved in accommodating fans' wishes, Blassie was straightforward. “There's been a big drop in the price of fuel. The government just gave us a whack of cash. It's time to live a little, and give something back to our ferry enthusiasts. Besides, taking on the Forum as an advisory panel lets us lay off a whole bunch of planning people in head office. This is a win win.”
Blassie said he was not concerned that some may feel money would be better spent in alleviating continuing fare increases, especially on coastal islands. “Many Forum members have told us that Gulf Islanders are just a bunch of complainers anyway; that they're rich and should be thankful they've got any ferry service, at whatever price we charge. We think they're right. We think we're going to get excellent advice from this group, and we don't mind going in a new direction if it gives our fans what they want. It's a serious matter that some of the young people have never had a chance to photograph the Queen of Alberni at Swartz Bay, never had a chance to see the Queen of Chilliwack round the tip of Rebecca Spit as she cruises into Heriot Bay. We intend to make that happen.”
The move to recognize the expertise of the Ferries Forum apparently was initiated on the advice of a newly hired British ferries consultant, Basil Cascade. Blassie said the public will notice a change in mid December, as Forum members have said they want all vessels in full operation to alleviate seasonal overloads and provide maximum photo ops for Forum 'road trips' during the holidays.
copyright Vancouver Times 12/06/08
