Time catching up with BCFS

[Retrovision]

The last 3 sailings out of TSA on route 1 were full today, leaving people at the gate (as shown on the webcam). BCFS, according to RBI still, is pressing the SOVI into service on the 28th, without the same dry-docking treatment that the SOBC recieved in the same refit last year. (check out what the SOVI's hull still looks like: community.webshots.com/photo/548409942/2664217890087036356qqIFdu ).

...And how about the Queen of Alberni on route 2 next month? that route couldn't endure the lack of size of that vessel's passenger accom. at the best of times, let alone a *month* closer to the busy season than was planned; Today was the originally planned date to take the Oaky out and put the Alberni in her place.

[Ferryman]

Yikes, I thought that was the Vancouvers hull the first time I saw it. I guess I'm very wrong then! So that's even worse seeming thats the SoVIs hull. It always seems to be like the SoVI gets the least work done to her, while they keep the SoBC looking its best all of the time. I remembera few years ago at Tsawwassn, and the SoVI was in berth 5, and SoBC was out of service in Berth 3, and I was sitting on the Alberni in Berth 4 comparing the two. But I guess they gave the superstructure a good clean up this time though. But if my memory tells me correctly, didn't the SoVI go in the drydock during last years refit anyway?

[Retrovision]

ferryman said:

It always seems to be like the SoVI gets the least work done to her, while they keep the SoBC looking its best all of the time.

So I guess that means that if BCFS were to promote one vessel as their "flagship," it would be the SOBC.

ferryman said:

But if my memory tells me correctly, didn't the SoVI go in the drydock during last years refit anyway?

...I guess the question is, if that's the case, and we want to compare the two S sisters, how long before SOBCs dry-docking was she last dry-docked?

[Ferryman]

tsawwassenterminal said:

...I guess the question is, if that's the case, and we want to compare the two S sisters, how long before SOBCs dry-docking was she last dry-docked?

Hmm, not too sure on that one. Will have to have a look at the archived News articles on the BCF site.

[Doug]

I quite liked that picture of the hull. I wonder how high out of the water the car deck is?

[Retrovision]

well if it's about the same height out of the water as the Vs, then here's a comparison shot with an average height worker on a Vs car deck: community.webshots.com/photo/548409942/2103104750087036356kYyrAY

[lest69]

tsawwassenterminal said:

...I guess the question is, if that's the case, and we want to compare the two S sisters, how long before SOBCs dry-docking was she last dry-docked?

The SoVI was drydocked in Esquimalt in March and April of 2005. I don't think she's been drydocked since then.

[Ferryman]

Wasn't that when she was having problems with an oil leak or something though? I don't think they had time to paint and clean the hull, as they needed to get the ferry back in service ASAP at the time.

[lest69]

And to further confuse things...
The SoVI is on it's way into Esquimalt as I type. I doubt she'll be going in the drydock, though, since the QoPR and Quinsam are already in there.

EDIT: Never mind, she appears to be performing sea trials and isn't coming in. She's now heading back North toward Haro Strait.

[JCa Christian]

According to the RBI the Spirit of VI is due in service this Thursday, March23. I just checked it a few minutes ago.

[Retrovision]

So much for dry dock.

Better that they catch up with the lag between service and demand for now, though

Maybe when there's no longer the possibilibty of necessary emergency welding on the Vs, BCFS will multi up the Vs in order to dry dock the SoVI; maybe because of the increased demand, due to it being even later in the season, we might see something like the chaos that we saw, at times, during the SoBC's equivalent refit.