Post by Dane on Jun 13, 2006 22:29:24 GMT -8
I learned a very interesting story about the Queen of Oak Bay accident (2005) at work yesturday, and will now proceed to tell it 
When the Queen of Oak Bay hit the Marina in Horseshoe Bay there were two fears
1. The C Class wouldn't be able to be used for a period of time; and
2. Horseshoe Bay could become in accessible to ferry traffic for a period of time.
Acting on issue #2 BC Ferries called Sea to Sky Parks (the company I work for), who operate Porteau Cove Provincial Park under contract from BC Parks. They said "how much would it cost to rent your ferry dock???" and the response was "Um, we're not sure." The first issue was who owns the thing, anyways? BC Parks was contacted as they are with all major events and we asked their permission to allow BCFS to use the dock. However, BC Parks responded "we don't own it!" after some research of their own. The search was on, who owns it? Well apparently the pier is in fact BC Parks' but the ferry ramp and accessories itself belong to the Department of Highways. By now, about 6 hours has elapsed. Highways talked to BC Parks who inturn talked to us and gave the Green light to allow BC Ferries to use the dock.
BC Ferries then sent a Captain to Porteau Cove to inspect the docking facilities and ensure it was suitable (I think we were talking bigger vessels than the Salt Spring Queen, here). It was determined it would work for the short term. The pier was fully cleared off and all railings in the day us parking area were removed. BC Ferries further notified us that one vessel (reading the documents we have presumably the Queen of Capilano coming however it is never explicitly stated so that is an assumption) would run from Departure Bay to Porteau Cove. It would unload traffic from Vancouver Island only as we could not facilitate a holding area for vehicles at Porteau Cove.
The plan was all laid down, the applicable people in place. Everyone got off work rather late.
The next morning they decided to reopen Horseshoe Bay and nothing happened.
But that's the story, thought it may interest some.
When the Queen of Oak Bay hit the Marina in Horseshoe Bay there were two fears
1. The C Class wouldn't be able to be used for a period of time; and
2. Horseshoe Bay could become in accessible to ferry traffic for a period of time.
Acting on issue #2 BC Ferries called Sea to Sky Parks (the company I work for), who operate Porteau Cove Provincial Park under contract from BC Parks. They said "how much would it cost to rent your ferry dock???" and the response was "Um, we're not sure." The first issue was who owns the thing, anyways? BC Parks was contacted as they are with all major events and we asked their permission to allow BCFS to use the dock. However, BC Parks responded "we don't own it!" after some research of their own. The search was on, who owns it? Well apparently the pier is in fact BC Parks' but the ferry ramp and accessories itself belong to the Department of Highways. By now, about 6 hours has elapsed. Highways talked to BC Parks who inturn talked to us and gave the Green light to allow BC Ferries to use the dock.
BC Ferries then sent a Captain to Porteau Cove to inspect the docking facilities and ensure it was suitable (I think we were talking bigger vessels than the Salt Spring Queen, here). It was determined it would work for the short term. The pier was fully cleared off and all railings in the day us parking area were removed. BC Ferries further notified us that one vessel (reading the documents we have presumably the Queen of Capilano coming however it is never explicitly stated so that is an assumption) would run from Departure Bay to Porteau Cove. It would unload traffic from Vancouver Island only as we could not facilitate a holding area for vehicles at Porteau Cove.
The plan was all laid down, the applicable people in place. Everyone got off work rather late.
The next morning they decided to reopen Horseshoe Bay and nothing happened.
But that's the story, thought it may interest some.
