Story on Tyee.ca re BC Ferries

[Low Light Mike]

thetyee.ca/News/2006/11/24/FerryReport/

Nov.24, 2006 article, by Heather Ramsay.
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As with most Tyee stories, the readers' comments at the bottom of their webpage are interesting reading.

[Doug]

Funny how every reply is negative and includes Gordon Campbell or the Liberals.

[Political Incorrectness]

You do realize why this happened? After the fast cat fallout, this is what happend. That is exactly why, now the media is putting a spotlight on the problems due to the Queen of the North sinking. The issues should have been brought up years ago, however, they were less evident to the public eye then.

[Ferryman]

Yeah, the Fastcats sure cause some problems. Several newbuilds got the axe once the Cats were launched, such as the two remaining Century Class vessels, a replacement for the Queen of Prince Rupert, a larger vessel to operate on the Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island route, plus I'm sure some of the older smaller vessels were about to go on the axe as well. But it wasn't all bad, the Queen of the North recieved an extensive upgrade in the year 2000. But oh well, I have faith. Things are gradually getting better with the fleet, believe it or not. By 2010, we'll have 7 vessels that have joined the fleet, since this year, plus I'm sure there will be more planned newbuilds by that time of course.
From my point of view, I see that people seem to have this impression, that if you throw money at it, everything will be all better. There's quite a process to these things, and it all takes time. Truely, I'm sorry that we can't just go out and rent a Fastcat for a week, and put it into full revenue service straight away, while forgetting about all of the reasons why they were taken out of service. I'm also sorry that we can't just send a cheque to a shipyard one evening, and have a new Ferry ready to go for the next morning.

Thank-you for reading Chris' end of the week rant....

[hergfest]

BC Ferries could have notified them earlier, but I don't see anything else their fault. The people of the QCI want more service and a new boat and BC Ferries is providing that with the Sonia already on her way and the new northern route ship being built after the Super Cs.

[Koastal Karl]

I agree too. They could of notified them earlier but these repairs have to be done and it just so happens they have no other vessel to replace the Rupert. Why cant they give them a cheaper fare or something with the airlines for people who use the ferry if they have to get over for appointments and other things?

[Low Light Mike]

In the reader-feedback section of this story, someone alleges that the Queen of Coquitlam once had a "Dining room" and "staterooms" for rent.

That's the first that I've ever heard that about the Coquitlam.

Can anyone confirm/deny a separate dining room and staterooms on Coquitlam.

I'm very sure that both were never part of the Coquitlam.

[Doug]

I think it had staterooms but not too sure about a dining room.

[WettCoast]

This person is no doubt confused. The V class once had table service dining rooms and a few state rooms available. I do not believe that any C class ever had such.

Spirits have a few state rooms available. Anyone ever rented one or otherwise checked them out?

[Curtis]

Besides the State rooms on the V class there was also a mother's nursing room.
And on the S Class there's the conference room.
The C Class...Well...They have a Solarium.

[Doug]

I must have been thinking of the crews quarters behind the bridge...my mistake.