Investigation into BC Ferries efforts.

[jjr]

Found this posted on www.publiceyeonline.com about a request posted on BC Bid to investigate efforts by BC Ferries to find a replacement for the QON.

"June 02, 2006
Northern Exposure
The British Columbia Ferry Commission is hiring a consultant to investigate "the adequacy of BC Ferries' search to date for a suitable replacement vessel for the Queen of the North which sank March 22 2006." This, according to an annoucement quietly posted earlier today on BC Bid. The posting notes that "After an application from BC Ferries, on May 17 2006 the Commission issued Order 06-02 authorizing a 60-day reduction in the normal summer service level on BC Ferries' northern routes, starting May 18 2006. Our Order may be extended beyond the 60 days (i.e. beyond July 17 2006) if we are satisfied that BC Ferries has carried out a thorough search for a suitable replacement vessel and remains unable to secure one." The consultant's finding will be key in making that determination. The following is a complete copy of that posting.

BC Ferry Commission
Adequacy of BC Ferries Search to Replace Q. of the North
Transportation - Ground & Marine (see also Aviation)
Consulting Assignments - Transportation

For more information contact:
Crilly, Martin
Commissioner
BC Ferry Commission
PO Box 1497
Comox, British Columbia
V9M 8A2
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Summary Details:

The BC Ferry Commission (www.bcferrycommission.com) seeks a qualified consultant to provide an opinion on the adequacy of BC Ferries' search to date for a suitable replacement vessel for the Queen of the North which sank March 22 2006.

BACKGROUND

Following the sinking of the Queen of the North, BC Ferries has reported that it has considered some 100 vessels as a replacement, but that none were suitable. Consequently the company has reduced service to northern routes below the normal northern summer schedule which began May 18 2006.

After an application from BC Ferries, on May 17 2006 the Commission issued Order 06-02 authorizing a 60-day reduction in the normal summer service level on BC Ferries' northern routes, starting May 18 2006. Our Order may be extended beyond the 60 days (i.e. beyond July 17 2006) if we are satisfied that BC Ferries has carried out a thorough search for a suitable replacement vessel and remains unable to secure one.

ASSIGNMENT

Your task as a qualified consultant would be to provide an opinion on the adequacy of BC Ferries' search to date for a suitable replacement vessel for the period starting March 22 2006. If finding that BC Ferries' search has been thorough, and that a suitable replacement is unlikely to be available until after July 17 2006, you would provide a
letter of comfort to that effect, with appropriate supporting material as you see fit, to the Commission. Your letter would include a recommended period for the extension. The Commission would expect to rely on your report in making its decision on whether an extension of Order 06-02 will be made and, if so, for how long.

BC Ferries records relating to the search for a vessel after March 22, 2006 will be made available and meetings can be arranged with members of BC Ferries' search team.

TIMING

The assignment is expected to start by June 19 2006 and its output would be submitted to the Commission by July 7 2006.

FEE

The consultant should quote a fee based on a maximum of 10 days' work. It is not essential but probably desirable to visit BC Ferries headquarters in Victoria, BC as part of the investigation.

Interested consultants should submit a short summary of credentials and relevant experience to the Commissioner by June 14, 2006 and including a brief time and cost budget.

[Mike C]

Cascade: The current vessel of consideration is the MV Sonia from Spain (is that right?), I think. This is serious consideration. Remember, this is not the NDP, so don't expect something fast.

cascade said:

Do you get the feeling that when somethings happens - we all see these so-called experts on TV talking about this or that. Where were they before hand ?

There's a simple solution: If you read it in The Province, it's likely a lie. If you saw it on Global, it's probably an exageration. However: In terms of local media, they're quite brainless on the topic of Transportation. In terms of knowledge, they try to get the so-called experts on the subject, however, they only pick/broadcast/interview on the one on the side that they are in favour of, and not asking a series of them (or at least not broadcasting).