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Post by Scott on Jan 9, 2007 22:06:45 GMT -8
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Post by Dane on Jan 9, 2007 22:10:46 GMT -8
Uh-oh! I hope they get to the bottom of this one quickly... I haven't look at the BCFS site yet, the rest of her sailings must be cancelled?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 9, 2007 22:12:24 GMT -8
It's been 14.5 years since the Departure Bay accident.
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Re this Quinsam incident, I wonder if the high-winds were a factor?
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On a practical note, I suppose the Nanaimo-harbour ferry-landing will be out-of-use tomorrow, and maybe the Quinsam will be too, as BC Ferries and maybe Transport investigators will swarm the scene.
As well, the truck needs to be recovered from the water.
What does that do for Gabriola commuting traffic? Would they divert a spare minor ship to service Descanso Bay from Duke Point ? What's available?
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Post by Dane on Jan 9, 2007 22:12:52 GMT -8
At 8:34pm
Posted January 09, 2007
Service has been temporarily suspended on the Nanaimo Harbour - Gabriola Island route until further notice
At 10:01pm
BC Ferries investigating Gabriola ferry incident
Posted January 09, 2007
At approximately 7:00 pm this evening, the MV Quinsam, which operates on the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island route, unexpectedly pulled away from the dock at Nanaimo Harbour as the ship was loading vehicles.
A pick-up truck was on the ramp when the vessel started to move and BC Ferries’
crew quickly alerted the lone male occupant to exit his vehicle immediately. After the driver exited his truck, the vehicle dropped off the ramp and into the water. There were no injuries in the incident. There were no persons in the water.
BC Ferries will be conducting a full investigation into the cause of this incident. Additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available.
Vehicle service between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island has been temporarily
suspended until further notice. Water taxi service is being arranged for foot passengers as necessary.
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Post by Dane on Jan 9, 2007 22:13:53 GMT -8
Excellent question! Bowen Queen? |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 9, 2007 22:18:08 GMT -8
Depending on how long Nanaimo Harbour terminal is shut down (and you'd expect them to take their time before resuming service from that terminal, with that ship)...you'd think that Duke Point might be used for a few days, or maybe a week?
(yeah, I'm just speculating)
Bowen Queen has been a fill-in for Quinsam before. I suppose the Klitsa is in refit somewhere. And this happened too soon for Kupppppper to save the day.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 9, 2007 22:24:47 GMT -8
Who on our forum's going to go visit the Nanaimo Harbour terminal tomorrow, to catch the investigation action?
I'll be out of town, so I'm out. I suspect we'll see some Karl or Scott or Graham pictures by tomorrow evening.....
The waterfront by the Cameron Island Condos would be a good spot for investigator-spotting and crane-spotting, and maybe even Hahn-spotting?
On one hand, you could say this is no big deal....ie. no injury. BUT, consider what this 1 little incident tonight does to customer confidence in safety, fleet-wide. And also consider how worse this could have been (say child in car-seat in backseat?).
So I wonder if this will be big-news for a while, and if the authorities (whoever they are - Transport Canada?) will decend like hawks upon the scene and treat this very seriously.
Or is this BC Ferries' own internal matter to investigate?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 9, 2007 22:28:23 GMT -8
It will also be interesting to see how the BCFS Union will react to this, as obviously a crew of employees were there, and this accident happened on their watch. (yeah, I'm stating the obvious....but it highlights that there were real people involved, and any kind of accident in the workplace can be traumatic for anyone involved).
So obviously Unions are very important in such a situation, to ensure that all Officers/Crew get due process, and also for stress-support. Here's hoping the process is fair and respectful. It's a good opportunity to see how a company treats its employees.
From all sides, including the media & public, I really hope for a rhetoric-free day tomorrow.....but it will be interesting to see the reactions.
For the passenger involved and for the officers/crew on the Quinsam, and their loved ones, I wish peace and comfort in this tough/trying time. Be strong and courageous.
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Doug
Voyager 
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Jan 9, 2007 22:39:22 GMT -8
It will also be interesting to see how the BCFS Union will react to this, as obviously a crew of employees were there, and this accident happened on their watch. (yeah, I'm stating the obvious....but it highlights that there were real people involved, and any kind of accident in the workplace can be traumatic for anyone involved). So obviously Unions are very important in such a situation, to ensure that all Officers/Crew get due process, and also for stress-support. Here's hoping the process is fair and respectful. It's a good opportunity to see how a company treats its employees. From all sides, including the media & public, I really hope for a rhetoric-free day tomorrow.....but it will be interesting to see the reactions. For the passenger involved and for the officers/crew on the Quinsam, and their loved ones, I wish peace and comfort in this tough/trying time. Be strong and courageous. I'll be betting the Union will do the usual: blame the company. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 9, 2007 22:43:34 GMT -8
This accident reminds us that there really is nothing "routine" about a routine ferry trip. There are lots of things that can go wrong, and usually none of them do.
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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 Jan 9, 2007 22:45:56 GMT -8
Well Scott was on the 5:45pm from TSA this evening so he might of heard about or seen something coming into Nanaimo. I was on the Esquimalt 7pm out of TSA and never heard about it. Sorry I wont be in Nanaimo again for a while! lol! And also a Semi Truck got hung up on the ramp at LANGDALE this afternoon which has caused the Surrey to be about an hour behind.
Foot passengers today also offloaded the SOVI this afternoon via the lower vehicle deck as the wind was pushing her into the right side of the berth cause the foot ramp to be out of place. Was interesting disembarking the SOVI via the lower car deck as a foot passenger!
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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 Jan 9, 2007 22:57:24 GMT -8
Cant use the Bowen as she is replacing the Mayne Queen right now.
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Post by Retrovision on Jan 9, 2007 22:57:53 GMT -8
At 8:34pm Posted January 09, 2007 Service has been temporarily suspended on the Nanaimo Harbour - Gabriola Island route until further notice At 10:01pm BC Ferries investigating Gabriola ferry incident Posted January 09, 2007 ... Funny how that works, eh?  It will also be interesting to see how the BCFS Union will react to this, as obviously a crew of employees were there, and this accident happened on their watch. (yeah, I'm stating the obvious....but it highlights that there were real people involved, and any kind of accident in the workplace can be traumatic for anyone involved). So obviously Unions are very important in such a situation, to ensure that all Officers/Crew get due process, and also for stress-support. Here's hoping the process is fair and respectful. It's a good opportunity to see how a company treats its employees. From all sides, including the media & public, I really hope for a rhetoric-free day tomorrow.....but it will be interesting to see the reactions. For the passenger involved and for the officers/crew on the Quinsam, and their loved ones, I wish peace and comfort in this tough/trying time. Be strong and courageous. I'll be betting the Union will do the usual: blame the company. And BCFS might blame the union - so? |
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 9, 2007 23:03:54 GMT -8
Global BC News just showed David Hahn, saying that service will either be moved to Departure Bay or Duke Point until further notice...
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jan 9, 2007 23:11:04 GMT -8
I will be going down to Nanaimo Harbour tomorrow. If anyone else would like to come with me, send me a PM...
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Post by Islander15 on Jan 9, 2007 23:52:18 GMT -8
Doug, as a union member i find your comments offensive. This type of opinion is, unfortunately, typical of many in the general public who have no respect for the job we do.
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Kam
Voyager
Posts: 926
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Post by Kam on Jan 10, 2007 0:09:09 GMT -8
Global BC News just showed David Hahn, saying that service will either be moved to Departure Bay or Duke Point until further notice... I'm sure it will likely be Duke Point. BCF ran the Gabriola run from that terminal for about a month a few years back during major terminal upgrades. |
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Post by Balfour on Jan 10, 2007 0:22:30 GMT -8
But isn't Departure Bay closer to Downtown Nanaimo? It would make more sense use Dep Bay if that is the case.
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Post by Retrovision on Jan 10, 2007 0:25:09 GMT -8
But isn't Departure Bay closer to Downtown Nanaimo? It would make more sense use Dep Bay if that is the case. In conversation tonight I was informed that sailing to Departure Bay takes about 3 times as long as to downtown Nanaimo from Gabriola. |
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Post by Retrovision on Jan 10, 2007 0:34:48 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 10, 2007 6:19:08 GMT -8
Doug, as a union member i find your comments offensive. This type of opinion is, unfortunately, typical of many in the general public who have no respect for the job we do. Funny how the anti-union comment draws a comment, but the pro-worker comment draws no comment. I guess that we're inclined to only speak out about what we don't like....and ignore the positive stuff. No worries, I still believe the way that I do, and I still wish the workers well for fair process and peace of mind during this. |
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Post by Curtis on Jan 10, 2007 8:16:36 GMT -8
Uh-Oh! Could have been alot worse. Times like these when you Wish they built that Extra Dock at Duke Point. Departure Bay Looks to be Occupied with Berth Improvements Right now unless they use Berth 1.
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Post by Retrovision on Jan 10, 2007 8:20:11 GMT -8
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Post by In Washington on Jan 10, 2007 9:12:38 GMT -8
In response to Islander15's comment I have to say as a Union Member myself I didn't find anything at all offensive in the comments posted above.
I find this board to be far from "management" biased and what was said by the people who offended Islander15 are right on the money iin my opinion.
Having been called, collectively, many names by the press and politicians over my past 30 years in service of WSF I perhaps have thicker skin than some.
Accidents happen and there is rarely one fault that cause them. My thoughts are with the crew on the boat and the passenger who probably is wishing he had wore Depends yesterday.
We have had similar occurrences here and years ago I was involved in an incident that claimed a life. I survived and do a better job because of that. We learn from mistakes and so does management.
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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 Jan 10, 2007 9:39:19 GMT -8
The media always gets something mixed up. It's annoying.
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