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Post by Curtis on Mar 1, 2009 12:11:20 GMT -8
The Island Sky has yet to suffer her first mechanical delay, but that isn't stopping her Elevator from going out. Service Notice - MV Island Sky - Elevator Temporarily Out of ServicePosted Sunday, March 1, 2009 Print Version Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Sechelt (Earls Cove) - Powell River (Saltery Bay)
Updated as of 10:00 am Please be advised that the elevator on the MV Island Sky is temporarily out of service. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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Post by ferrytraveller on Mar 1, 2009 12:38:31 GMT -8
Service Notice - Sailing Cancellations Posted Friday, February 27, 2009 Print Version Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Vancouver Island (Campbell River) - Quadra Island (Quathiaski Cove)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Sunday, March 8, the 8:00 a.m. sailing from Quadra Island
(Quathiaski Cove) and the 8:30 a.m. sailing from Campbell River will be cancelled, in order for BC Ferries to complete safety training with newly installed evacuation equipment on the Powell River Queen.
The cancelled sailings allow as many employees to attend as possible.
As safety is paramount to our operations, BC Ferries appreciates your understanding and asks that you plan your travels accordingly.
Has anyone seen or been able to get pictures of this new lifesaving device installed on the PRQ??
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Mar 3, 2009 11:56:57 GMT -8
Surprised no one mentioned the weather related cancellations of yesterday:
High winds force ferry cancellations By Joseph Ruttle 03-02-2009
Filed under: BC Ferries, weather
Updated March 2, 7:35 a.m.: A
wind warning has been issued for the Metro Vancouver area.
Building high winds have already forced the cancellation of a ferry sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay at 7 a.m. Monday.
The 9 a.m. Tsawwassen departure is already full as of 7:30 a.m., and the 11 a.m. sailing is filling quickly.
The 9 a.m. sailing out of Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island was also cancelled, though traffic on that route is not as heavy this morning.
Winds of 50 to 80 km/h are expected through the morning in brief bursts as a system tracks north over the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
The winds are expected to ease by early afternoon as the system moves inland.
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Post by Curtis on Mar 9, 2009 10:42:36 GMT -8
Looks like the Island Sky is behind schedule. No reason for why that is though. Service Notice - Sailing Delay - Earls Cove/Saltery BayPosted Monday, March 9, 2009 Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Sechelt (Earls Cove) - Powell River (Saltery Bay)
Updated at 7:01 am Please be advised that the MV Island Sky is currently forty (40) minutes behind schedule. The vessel is expected to make up the time over the course of the morning. For updated sailing information please call our Customer Service Centre toll free at 1-888 BC FERRY (223-3779). We apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of this delay.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Mar 12, 2009 11:53:27 GMT -8
So I guess MAN was able to get the SOBC's crankshaft built ahead of time... SPIRIT OF BRITSH COLUMBIA RETURNS TO SERVICE AFTER ENGINE OVERHAULVICTORIA – BC Ferries’ Spirit of British Columbia will return to service on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route on Friday, March 13, in time for the busy Spring Break period. The Spirit of British Columbia was removed from service on February 5, to undergo an overhaul of one of its four main engines, as well as annual Transport Canada inspections and re-certification. With the successful completion of the engine overhaul, the Spirit of British Columbia will resume its regular schedule. Now that the vessel is back at full power, BC Ferries does not anticipate occasions where extreme tidal conditions could restrict the vessel from sailing through Active Pass for safety reasons, thereby extending the length of the voyage. The Spirit of British Columbia will resume service tomorrow as the scheduled 7:00 am sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. News Release located here.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Mar 12, 2009 12:43:46 GMT -8
So I guess MAN was able to get the SOBC's crankshaft built ahead of time... Either that, or they applied extra duct tape to it. In this case, I think it is now likely that we have seen the last sailings of the Queen of Vancouver. With both Spirits and the Celebration in service, they should be able to handle the traffic and maybe the New West will actually be in service by the time they need the 4th boat on the schedule.
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Post by Nickfro on Mar 19, 2009 15:45:42 GMT -8
Service Notice - Sailing Cancellations
Posted Thursday, March 19, 2009
Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Southern Gulf Islands -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Queen of Nanaimo will be out of service on Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22 for mandatory inspections, which can only be completed when the vessel is not in operation. A replacement vessel for the Queen of Nanaimo is not available at this time.
Customers wishing to travel from Long Harbour – Tsawwassen on these dates are advised to travel via Fulford Harbour – Swartz Bay and onto Tsawwassen. Alternatively, customers may travel via Vesuvius – Crofton and onto Nanaimo terminals.
BC Ferries encourages its Southern Gulf Island customers to travel via Swartz Bay and onto Tsawwassen. For those travelling from Tsawwassen, BC Ferries recommends travelling via Swartz Bay to the Southern Gulf Islands.
BC Ferries thanks its customers for their understanding and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. ____________________________________________________
Wouldn't you think that, knowing this a month in advance, BCFS could find a replacement vessel for this period? Why not utilize the Queen of Vancouver for such a role? This really doesn't sit with me well from a planning and customer service perspective.
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 19, 2009 19:28:07 GMT -8
They have no excuse. Having retired the Tsawwassen they obviously needed another plan. Clearly they have not bothered to put such a plan together.
Perhaps this is what they mean when they talk about giving us a whole new level of service?
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Post by Curtis on Mar 19, 2009 22:14:18 GMT -8
This isn't the only Sailing Cancellation...
Service Notice - Sailing Cancellations - Saturday, March 21 Posted Thursday, March 19, 2009
Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Powell River (Westview) - Texada (Blubber Bay)
The 10:10 p.m. scheduled sailing from Texada Island and the 11:00 p.m. sailing from Westview will be cancelled on Saturday, March 21 as the ship undergoes engine maintenance.
BC Ferries thanks its customers for their understanding and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
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Post by Hardy on Mar 22, 2009 12:44:01 GMT -8
Service Notice - Sailing Cancellations Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Southern Gulf Islands -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Queen of Nanaimo will be out of service on Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22 for mandatory inspections, which can only be completed when the vessel is not in operation. A replacement vessel for the Queen of Nanaimo is not available at this time. ____________________________________________________ Wouldn't you think that, knowing this a month in advance, BCFS could find a replacement vessel for this period? Why not utilize the Queen of Vancouver for such a role? This really doesn't sit with me well from a planning and customer service perspective. I looked at this too, and the same thought crossed my mind, although I also considered the QoNW in addition to the QoV. While it is true that the entire upper deck would be useless at the SGI terminals, at least there would be some reliability of service for the two days that the QoN is out. Of course the issue that comes to mind for not having a replacement vessel in place is CREWING and FAMILIARIZATION (ah, the ever-present rallying cry of why ship re-assignments are NOT possible!). Seeing that it is two days, and the event of removal is planned well in advance, would it not be FEASIBLE from a technical point of view (not asking FINANCIALLY, let's assume this is AIG!) to have some crew members from the QoN bridge/loading crew serve aboard the QoV more as "advisors" and "local talent", and at the same time have some QoV crew members "volunteer" for a paid vacation to Long Harbour to be temporarily based there for the 2 days? Either that or REVERSE things, and have the Long Harbour based people start over at Tsawwassen with the QoV and run a modified 2-day schedule with route-9 based out of Tsawwassen for the two days that the QoN is out of service? (this would assume that the TC inspections take place at Tsa or Deas rather than LH).
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Post by hergfest on Mar 23, 2009 23:03:13 GMT -8
Would you want to back the Van out of Long Harbour? Her draft might be too deep also with all the extra weight she carries. Is the Chilly around or in refit?
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Mar 23, 2009 23:54:16 GMT -8
Would you want to back the Van out of Long Harbour? Her draft might be too deep also with all the extra weight she carries. Is the Chilly around or in refit? The QUEEN OF CHILLIWACK is seen on a tracker in drydock at Esquimalt.
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Post by Curtis on Mar 27, 2009 15:08:28 GMT -8
Up next on the refit list, the North Island Princess...The Tachek is coming in as the replacement. (Darn, Was Hoping for the Bowen Queen)
Service Notice - Temporary Replacement Vessel Posted Friday, March 27, 2009 Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Powell River (Westview) - Texada (Blubber Bay)
On Tuesday, March 31 beginning with the 3:00 p.m. sailing from Blubber Bay, the MV Tachek will replace the MV North Island Princess which will be removed from service to undergo necessary maintenance. This work is expected to take approximately one month and includes improvements to the navigation and communications systems as well as painting of the hull and superstructure.
As the vehicle carrying capacity of the MV Tachek is less (30 vehicles) than the MV North Island Princess (49 vehicles), please plan your travels accordingly by arriving early at the terminal for your desired sailing or by car pooling where possible.
BC Ferries looks forward to the return of the MV North Island Princess following this scheduled maintenance.
Smooth Move BCFS, put a smaller vessel on the route a week before Powell River/Texada Spring Break.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Mar 29, 2009 16:38:32 GMT -8
Well, it's official. The NorAd's entry into 2009 service has been delayed once again, this time until April 19th.
============================================
The refit period of the MV Northern Adventure has been extended to April 16. The vessel will then complete dock fits at the new north coast docks until April 19.
During this time, the MV Queen of Prince Rupert, along with the MV Nimpkish, will continue to serve the mid and north coast regions.
BC Ferries looks forward to the MV Northern Adventure’s return to service on Thursday, April 19, 2009 beginning with the 11:00 p.m. departure from Prince Rupert to Skidegate.
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Post by DENelson83 on Mar 30, 2009 14:04:52 GMT -8
Up next on the refit list, the North Island Princess...The Tachek is coming in as the replacement. (Darn, Was Hoping for the Bowen Queen) Service Notice - Temporary Replacement VesselPosted Friday, March 27, 2009 Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Powell River (Westview) - Texada (Blubber Bay)
On Tuesday, March 31 beginning with the 3:00 p.m. sailing from Blubber Bay, the MV Tachek will replace the MV North Island Princess which will be removed from service to undergo necessary maintenance. This work is expected to take approximately one month and includes improvements to the navigation and communications systems as well as painting of the hull and superstructure. As the vehicle carrying capacity of the MV Tachek is less (30 vehicles) than the MV North Island Princess (49 vehicles), please plan your travels accordingly by arriving early at the terminal for your desired sailing or by car pooling where possible. BC Ferries looks forward to the return of the MV North Island Princess following this scheduled maintenance.
Smooth Move BCFS, put a smaller vessel on the route a week before Powell River/Texada Spring Break. Does that mean the Kahloke will be put back into the Lambert Channel while the Tachek is replacing the NIP?
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Mar 30, 2009 14:15:13 GMT -8
According to this service notice, yes. Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): - Hornby Island (Shingle Spit) - Denman Island East (Gravelly Bay) The MV Kahloke resumes service on Monday, March 30 with the 4:00 p.m. sailing from Hornby Island (Shingle Spit) to Denman Island (Gravelly Bay).
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Post by Curtis on Mar 31, 2009 17:15:29 GMT -8
Well the Tachek was supposed to take over the NIP over three hours ago, but this blustery day has set it back. According to SiiTech at the current moment, the Tachek isn't even in Blubber Bay yet.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Mar 31, 2009 18:11:08 GMT -8
Well the Tachek was supposed to take over the NIP over three hours ago, but this blustery day has set it back. According to SiiTech at the current moment, the Tachek isn't even in Blubber Bay yet. The change has taken place now. The TACHEK is on the TI-PR run and the ferry my late grandfather built is on her annual vacation to be worked on and beautified.
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Post by coastalcody on Mar 31, 2009 18:37:09 GMT -8
Yeah those winds are crazy, im currently on the Cr on route to Hsb, i don't have my damn digital camera, but i'll tell you this. The ship is rocking so much, the Cafeteria is closed, due to sliding dishes, waves are crashing and i mean crashing against the ship and the outer decks are both closed. There was an official announcement by the Cpt as we left Departure bay about why the decks and cafeteria were closed.
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Post by johnnytindale on Mar 31, 2009 21:00:34 GMT -8
Yeah those winds are crazy, im currently on the Cr on route to Hsb, Silly question, but is there WiFi on the Coastals or did you post this from your iPhone/Blackberry??
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Post by coastalcody on Mar 31, 2009 21:16:52 GMT -8
Iphone. Hahha thats a good question thouh. I wonder if there is Wifi
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Mar 31, 2009 22:23:46 GMT -8
There is no WiFi on board any BCF vessels as of yet. Rumours abound that it is going to happen soon.... but I started hearing those rumours back in Summer 2007.
Sounds pretty wicked out there. I noticed the SOBC was running about 45 minutes behind today due to high winds at Tsawwassen.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Apr 1, 2009 8:05:40 GMT -8
The NORTH ISLAND PRINCESS is now in the Victoria area. She's heading to Esquimalt. She was preceded by the MAYNE QUEEN. This voyage from Blubber Bay, Texada Island, has been a long one. Over 14 hours. She is seen here entering the drydock. Enjoy your break, NORTH ISLAND PRINCESS.
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Post by Mike C on Apr 1, 2009 11:22:58 GMT -8
Service Notice - Temporary Replacement Vessel Posted Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) - Departure Bay (Nanaimo)
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Due to the decreased ridership for the off season, starting today BC 'Ferries will be running the M/V Nimpkish in place of the M/V 'Coastal Renaissance on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route starting today.
We thank you for your patience.
Updates will be provided.
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Post by Mike C on Apr 1, 2009 11:29:57 GMT -8
Service Notice - Sailing Delay Posted Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s): Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) - Departure Bay (Nanaimo)
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Please be advised that the Nimpkish is currently running Six (6) hours and forty (40) minutes behind schedule. Since the vessel is late, BC 'Ferries will be implementing the 83% Late Vessel Surcharge.
Thank you for your patience.
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