Questions on C and Super-C classes

[markkarj]

Hi folks:

Couple of questions:
1) If I remember correctly, the port and starboard sides of the main car deck (I guess that would be Deck 2) on the C-class ships (aside from the Alberni) have platform deck permanently installed (making that Deck 3). You can see those decks here: www.pbase.com/kstapleton/image/36310777

My question is: why were these platform decks put in as permanent fixtures? If I recall correctly, the S-class ships have platform decks that aren't fixed... they can lift them up and out of the way for a load of more overheights, or bring them down when there are additional cars or SUVs.

2) Will the Super-C class ships have platform decks at all?

Thanks.

M

[Ferryman]

Hey Mark,

I'm unsure about the reasoning behind the installation of permanent platform decks. But my theory behind it, was because of possible constant breakdowns with hydraulic ramps, which would leave cars stranded, ir would block off a lane on the deck. Another theory might be, that BC Ferries saw that it would be faster to unload/load via permanent ramps, instead of delaying the vehicles from loading/unloading to raise or lower the ramps.

The Super C's are being designed like the Spirits, with having platform decks being raised and lowered from the ceiling.

[hergfest]

Another reason is that the C-Class design was roughly based off of the WSF Jumbo Class, which have permanent galley decks.

[NMcKay]

it might also have to do with the articulating deck. that allows a C class to offload fully from deck one

[markkarj]

ferryman said:

The Super C's are being designed like the Spirits, with having platform decks being raised and lowered from the ceiling.

Will the super-Cs (or do the S-class ships) have the articulating deck that the C class ships have? I'd imagine that the articulating deck would probably only be used a handful of times... likely a big expense and a lot of maintenance for little use.

[Curtis]

From What we know the S Class Definatly don't have them, and we don't know if the Super C Class will. I think one of the main reasns the Articulating ramps are in there are because of docks such as Berth 2 at Langdale, or possibly since not all the docks had been made for the C Class yet and if they broke down it would lower their capacity so they need the Articulating ramp to load more cars. Thats what I think.