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Post by Scott on Sept 23, 2006 19:59:08 GMT -8
Does anyone have any idea about what will happen to the Queen of Prince Rupert when she's retired? When the Queen of the North sank, I remember hearing someone saying that there were ideas or plans to turn the Queen of the North into a restaurant or hotel somewhere along the coast, after she was retired.
Do you guys think there's any life left in the QPR after she's retired?
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Post by Balfour on Sept 23, 2006 20:09:07 GMT -8
I would like to see something made out of the ship that started the BCF's northern service. The QPR played a very important part for the developement of BCF.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 23, 2006 20:45:42 GMT -8
A floating fishing lodge, at Gunboat Passage, located on the wrong-side of the marker......
Seriously though, a floating lodge of some sort in the Haida Gwaii might make sense, given the staterooms & galley that she has.
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Post by jjr on Sept 23, 2006 20:45:45 GMT -8
Just got back from the Charlottes yesterday on the QPR - over on Tuesday and back on Friday. I have to say that she is my favorite ship of the bunch. Sure she might be getting old but what an energizer bunny - just goes and goes and goes.
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 23, 2006 20:48:05 GMT -8
"Long live the reign of the Flagship, Queen of Prince Rupert"
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Post by hergfest on Sept 23, 2006 21:30:51 GMT -8
I am sure she will be put up for auction and they highest bidder will win. Looks to me like BC Ferries is only interesting in keeping the Queen of Tsawwassen.
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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 23, 2006 21:40:20 GMT -8
CABINS - ONE WAY:
Queen of Prince Rupert Two berths, shower, washbasin, toilet
Until March 31, 2007 All Cabins: $50.00
Effective April 1, 2007 All Cabins: $55.00
Next summer for the Queen Charlotte route. I thought the Rupert only has a few cabins now for passengers???
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Post by Curtis on Sept 24, 2006 9:57:15 GMT -8
Looks to me like BC Ferries is only interesting in keeping the Queen of Tsawwassen. I can see why she is in pretty good shape for her age. Unlike her sister ship. Probably the QPR will be sold but they should really do something nice to her. |
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 24, 2006 19:34:11 GMT -8
Perhaps they could run the QPR for another year or two in summer service only, replacing the Chilliwack on the Discovery Coast route. The QPR offers many advantages over the Chilliwack such as better speed, having at least a few staterooms, etc. Then, by 2010 or 2011 the Chilliwack replacement will be in place and the QPR can finally go to retirement as a fishing lodge somewhere.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 24, 2006 21:09:06 GMT -8
Using the QPR for Discovery Coast sounds like a great idea.
Presumably she would fit into the existing berth at Bella Coola.
Perhaps her improved speed (faster than a speeding Chilliwack) would make it more popular for the Klemtu routes of the summer Discovery Coast routes?
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Post by Curtis on Sept 24, 2006 21:13:11 GMT -8
Sounds like A intresting idea they could do.
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Post by Scott on Sept 24, 2006 23:00:26 GMT -8
As long as Transport Canada doesn't force BC Ferries to shut her down.
Sort of off topic... I wonder if they'll do a repositioning run now that the Sonia will be up there sometime next spring?
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 24, 2006 23:16:41 GMT -8
According to a Vancouver Sun article that I read about 10 months ago, TC was requiring BCFS to take all 3 northern vessels of the time off all of the northern routes by no later than 2009 because of their single compartment design.
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 25, 2006 19:37:40 GMT -8
I believe that TC's time line is later than 2009, maybe as late as 2012. In any case, BCFS is still some time away from commissioning a new build to replace the Wack. Such a new vessel will not likely be with us until 2010 or 2011. So, it appears to me that the QPR could be retained to do the Discovery Coast route for at least the summer of 2009, and perhaps for a year or two after that.  As for a repositioning cruise... Has there been any discussion re modifying a berth at Tsawwassen or elsewhere to accommodate the Sonia's prodigious posterior? If not such a cruise may not be possible. |
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 25, 2006 19:57:29 GMT -8
Repositioning Cruise? Wouldn't it acutally be a Positioning Cruise, as it would be its first trip up North?   Anyways, that would be neat to have the QPR on Route 40. The Chilliwack's future is up for debate still, seeming she won't have to worry about the Jervis Inlet route anymore. So I'd assume she'll take the Tsawwassen's winter routine as a replacement on Comox to Powell River, and Tsawwassen to Southern Gulf Islands. |
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