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Post by Ferryman on Sept 9, 2006 8:01:40 GMT -8
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Post by Curtis on Sept 9, 2006 10:41:47 GMT -8
Another good report with a bunch of nice over sized photos.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 9, 2006 11:22:11 GMT -8
From this report, there's a note of interest to those who always ask about certain vessels that are "under-lease".
The Q-Surrey's lease ended January 1, 2006, and she is now an "owned" vessel.
The Queen of Oak Bay is still a leased ship, and that lease ends January 1, 2007, at which time she too will become an owned-ship.
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 9, 2006 17:44:55 GMT -8
Also, another note. The Queen of Alberni's Mid Life Upgrade is suppossed to be completed in 2008, instead of the Spring of '07 as originally predicted.
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 9, 2006 18:02:16 GMT -8
Also, another note. The Queen of Alberni's Mid Life Upgrade is suppossed to be completed in 2008, instead of the Spring of '07 as originally predicted. I wonder if they aren't trying to buy time in order to figure out what to do with the black-sheep of the major vessels. |
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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 Sept 9, 2006 18:11:31 GMT -8
according to RBI the Alberni is out of service from mid November till as far as I can see on RBI which has up until Jan.
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Post by Curtis on Sept 9, 2006 22:02:18 GMT -8
Hmmmm... Me thinks something is up.
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Post by Dane on Sept 10, 2006 21:38:35 GMT -8
I wonder if 2008 is a typo (for the Alberni), there's only one mention of that as the year as far as I could see? They've made typos before so I wouldn't put it past them -> but they've also avoided sharing information by slipping it in like that, too. (a la first mention of fuel surcharges)
I was also happy to see the Burr referred to by Hull #, meaning she'll be renamed. Great!
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Post by hergfest on Sept 11, 2006 7:33:11 GMT -8
They refer the Surrey as being finished in the next fisical year, so maybe by the time the Alberni gets done in June it will be fisical year 2008?
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Post by Curtis on Sept 11, 2006 8:48:35 GMT -8
Yeah that makes sense.
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 13, 2006 10:17:22 GMT -8
They are wanting to lose a few sailing from Duke point - is this to make way for pure commercial sailing ? What other terminal from the 5 major terminals would they operate from. Are you referring to the now-cancelled 2 last round trips to/from Duke Point on Saturdays during the off-season, or even further cuts? Go to page 27 of the report - on the right hand side last paragraph. As I have mention this in the past - they (BCFS) are looking at running - night time commercial traffic for some of there major terminals. No names to censor here, so I have no problem with publishing the paragraph referred to: "We also investigated other business opportunities. For example, we began looking closely at the feasibility of providing overnight freight service on some of our major routes" |
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Post by Dane on Sept 13, 2006 18:01:17 GMT -8
Does Enron spring to mind here?? No. |
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Sept 14, 2006 8:55:50 GMT -8
BC Ferries isn't "thinking" of dropping late sailings on route 30- they're doing it, on Saturday nights. There's been no 'spin', nothing secretive about it. As for overnight sailings, their report says they're investigating the feasibility, not necessarily trying to start it up.
There's been nothing new from WMG on the 'cats for months. So, don't really know where this 'spin' is coming from.
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Sept 15, 2006 22:04:01 GMT -8
Bc Ferries probably is entering a 'mature market period'. The only industries on Vancouver Island that are growing are retirees and tourism, and the former is notoriously thrifty.
'Big box' retailers don't really do anything to increase overall retail activity, or increase freight movements, except in the initial stocking of stores. If a new Home Depot sells ten toilets, that's just ten toilets that smaller established retailers don't sell.
WMG might be able to get some shippers to switch from truck to rail with their inter-modal capabilities, but there can't really be a lot of expectation for increased freight traffic to, and on, Vancouver Island. Seaspan hasn't increased their sailings in recent years.
If BC Ferries were to move into overnight, freight oriented services, that would be a direct assault on Seaspan's territory. It would be interesting to see how WMG would respond. A price war, perhaps?
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on Sept 17, 2006 21:35:54 GMT -8
Well, Cascade, I'll make you a friendly bet that Seaspan will stay in the ferry business for the forseeable future. There is never going to be a great deal of money made on the E&N, yet they chose to get into it. Partly as a 'white knight', perhaps? Dennis Washington is making enough money on his international shipping ventures, perhaps he has enough to spare to take on a marginally profitable operation on the Island, and link it to his small fleet of ferries. It might make a bit of money but it'll never be a goldmine, no matter how many Home Depots open up, but WMG sure scored on the publicity front with their move. And if commuter rail is resurrected in Victoria out of this, they'll be adding a big statue of Dennis to the Legislature lawns.
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 25, 2006 23:39:21 GMT -8
Go to page 27 of the report - on the right hand side last paragraph.  |
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 26, 2006 12:33:31 GMT -8
Seaspan operates ROPAX vessels? I was under the impression that they not only don't offer service to the public, but also eliminate any semblance of passenger service by only offering drop-trailer service and even eliminating drivers from the vessels.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on Sept 26, 2006 13:01:13 GMT -8
.... that's what I thought, too, but the new list of tariffs on their website quotes $8.00 for a driver accompanying a vehicle. (Vehicle $63 to Nanaimo, $73 to Swartz Bay.) I've thought of phoning them and asking if it's actually possible to get on- I imagine that only the Carrier Princess has facilities for passengers.
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 26, 2006 13:31:34 GMT -8
The mentioned Seaspan Intermodal tariff pdf document can be found here: www.coastalintermodal.com/SCIC_Tariff_No_34.pdfIf Seaspan is already providing public passenger service, it would be a major departure as I don't think public passenger service has been offered under either CP or WMG aboard the intermodal fleet since the early 70s. If this is a recent change, could it be in order to have an age limit put on these vessels in passenger service and conveniently " force" BCFS to be passed the torch of all such service? (In my Grandpa's words: "Twist my rubber arm") |
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Sept 26, 2006 14:10:10 GMT -8
I contacted Seaspan, and was told that Transport Canada does not allow them to carry passengers, unless they are accompanying a vehicle that is labelled as carrying dangerous goods. Odd.
So unless you have any explosives or dangerous pesticides lying around, you're out of luck.
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 26, 2006 14:25:25 GMT -8
I think that a couple old items in my fridge might be able to qualify me for one of those sailings  |
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