Vessel Placement once the Super C's arrive.

[NMcKay]

by the time the new i class is here.. the klatawa and kulleet will be avail too...

[Shane]

extreamme said:

Route 40: Discovery Coast
-Northern Discovery (Primary, Port Hardy, Summer)
Extra Vessels
-New I Class (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Northern Discovery (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Northern Expedition (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Queen of Oak Bay (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Queen of Tsawwassen (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Quinsam (Fall, Winter, Spring)

Queen of Oak Bay, Queen of Tsawwassen, Quinsam on the Discovery Coast route... Sounds kinda messed up..

[blackshadow]

I sorry too say Queen of Tsawwassen needs tons of money to keep her operation. No long meets TC safety requirements and new main engines.

The Esquimalt is first to retire. Plan is she will run up to end of October this year and then being layed up until arrival of second super. Smart thinking by managers.

The other two will come spare and possible other runs being created. I believe Vancouver will take over Esquimalt duties next summer. Once third super arrivals Sannich comes exta. But these two will be sticking around for use for some time. Rummor has it they will be refitted during the summer and relieving others in winter. Much better time of year to refit.

As for the other two vessels rummor has it they will join BCFS ferry and Nimkish could be retired. Rummor also has these two vessel could be another Kuper job.

[Ferryman]

Interesting. Thanks for the "insider". I had already known the Esquimalt was to be retired next year, but had no idea it was gonna happen this October. Time to get on the Esquimalt while you still can this year.

[Low Light Mike]

ferryfreakshane said:

extreamme said:

Route 40: Discovery Coast
-Northern Discovery (Primary, Port Hardy, Summer)
Extra Vessels
-New I Class (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Northern Discovery (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Northern Expedition (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Queen of Oak Bay (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Queen of Tsawwassen (Fall, Winter, Spring)
-Quinsam (Fall, Winter, Spring)

Queen of Oak Bay, Queen of Tsawwassen, Quinsam on the Discovery Coast route... Sounds kinda messed up..

I think there's a subject-change between "Route-40" and
"Extra Vessels".

The list that Shane noted are under GIT's "Extra vessels" list....nothing to do with Route-40.

[kylefossett]

so on route 4 we are going to downsize the vehicle capacity on a route that is only growing in demand. yes combined capacity of the 2 vessels you are looking at placing on there is the same as the skeena queen that you are taking off the route. if you are going to replace the skeena on this route you are better off to do so with a single vessel with a larger capacity. the population on saltspring is only going in one direction and that is up

[Low Light Mike]

ferryman said:

Interesting. Thanks for the "insider". I had already known the Esquimalt was to be retired next year, but had no idea it was gonna happen this October. Time to get on the Esquimalt while you still can this year.

I rode the Q-Esq twice last week....so now I'm glad that I did.

I guess that the Esquimalt will "take it easy" now that the Coquitlam's back on Route-30, and so that Mid-Island-Express hard-running is over for her.

She gets an easy summer of Weekend-work on Langdale route....kind of like a senior-citizen working at Wal*Mart every Saturday morning......

[Coastal Canuck]

blackshadow said:

I sorry too say Queen of Tsawwassen needs tons of money to keep her operation. No long meets TC safety requirements and new main engines.

The Esquimalt is first to retire. Plan is she will run up to end of October this year and then being layed up until arrival of second super. Smart thinking by managers.

The other two will come spare and possible other runs being created. I believe Vancouver will take over Esquimalt duties next summer. Once third super arrivals Sannich comes exta. But these two will be sticking around for use for some time. Rummor has it they will be refitted during the summer and relieving others in winter. Much better time of year to refit.

As for the other two vessels rummor has it they will join BCFS ferry and Nimkish could be retired. Rummor also has these two vessel could be another Kuper job.

I thought that BC Ferries was going to keep the Queen of Tsawwassen around until 2011

[Coastal Canuck]

harbourlynxkid said:

by the time the new i class is here.. the klatawa and kulleet will be avail too...

The new I class is supposed to be done in June 2008 and the Klatawa and Kulleet aren't going to be done in the fraiser river until mid Summer 2009

or am I mistaken

[WettCoast]

It would be nice to know what BCFS's has planned for Route 1 once the Coastal Cel is on the scene. Will, as suggested above, it become a primary vessel displacing a Spirit? I do not think so due to the larger auto and passenger capacities of the Spirits. I can see the Coastal Cel becoming the main fill in vessel for Routes 1 & 2 primary vessels during refit season. I also think that the 4th vessel on Route 1 ought to be the Oak Bay, due to its larger passenger cabin space.

[Ferryman]

Yeah, I agree with Jim, on all points. Also, the Coquitlam will always be a spare vessel, seeming she got the cheap upgrade, compared to her sisters. I think we'll see the Cowichan or Oak Bay move over to Route 1. Chances are, like Jim said, would make it be the Oak Bay, with her larger passenger deck (believe me, Oak Bays spread out passenger deck makes a substantial difference with the crowdedness, when compared to Coquitlam or Cowichan). During the full sailings on Route 2, I'm usually able to find a row of seats to myself on the Oak Bay, about 15 mins into the sailing, once I come inside from watching the Ferry depart on the sundeck. It's like a game of musical chairs on the Coquitlam/Cowichan, on a peak sailing.

But then again.......Seeming the Vancouver and Saanich are going to be held on to for a little bit longer, and will apparently recieve an interior upgrade to the Coastal Theme, probably summer 08/09? The Coastal Celebration would take over the Queen of Saanichs position, as the secondary boat out of Swartz Bay, and the Queen of Saanich would take over the Queen of Vancouvers position. This makes the Queen of Vancouver either sit at Tsawwassen or Departure Bay, when not needed.

On a side note: Kind of interesting, how BC Ferries has already retired the oldest V-Class (Victoria). Now they're preparing to retire the youngest V-Class (Esquimalt), and keep the two that are in between.

[blackshadow]

What I have being hearing is Cowichan will replace New West, her car decks on main deck will be remove to allow more OH.

Yes, Coquiltam will remain as #2 boat at Nanaimo, but don't quote me as it may change.

Spirts will not be replace by any "C" or any other on full time bases. Route one will get upgraded service, I hear. That means three ships full time. Spirts and super.

Oaky is questionable. I hear she will be base out of Nanaimo as like Esquimalt. Meaning possible Oaky and Surrey work together for the summer, with her possible making few sailing on route #2 as well. Then again she could be based at HSB and see four ship's on route #2 and Vancouver on Langel. There as be hints that there could be upgraded service of route 30 as well with New West for summer. I see the point here is no matter what there will upgraded summer time service on major routes.

"I" class is to replace the Tsawwassen. If she makes to Saltery Bay is another question. Thing to know Tsawwassen gone when "I" class arrives (spring of 2008) and Saltery Bay will get different vessel full time.

Esquimalt is gone by October. Will be a Deas if she isn't needed. What are the changes of that ever happening. Next spring some time after the arrival of second super. Point here, she isn't going until second super arrives. Meaning if some reason never super works out (sinking or damaged) there there is back up plan. Remember there is risk to count in get a ship here and into service. Another works don't count your chickens until they hatch as any thing can and will happen.

One thing I know for sure is managers are not to sure of the plan yet because they are wanting on making sure first super works out as great as it should. There are surprises in store for all of us. Hint!!

[blackshadow]

If you really want go by dates for Tsawwassen it was one year after Sidney.
Here is a part of list:
North Island Princess 1999
Replace North 1999
QPR 2000
Mill 2000
Chilliwack removed from route 40 1998

See the point. These dates change by the day. If you see a for sale sign in the window then it is close to be retired. One thing for sure is change.

[NMcKay]

have you ever known ANY BC built ship being on time? i think the 2 k class will be available sooner

[Ferryboatboat]

Ummm do we even know if BC Ferries wants the Klatawa and Kulleet?

[staffer]

blackshadow said:

What I have being hearing is Cowichan will replace New West, her car decks on main deck will be remove to allow more OH.

Yes, Coquiltam will remain as #2 boat at Nanaimo, but don't quote me as it may change.

Spirts will not be replace by any "C" or any other on full time bases. Route one will get upgraded service, I hear. That means three ships full time. Spirts and super.

Oaky is questionable. I hear she will be base out of Nanaimo as like Esquimalt. Meaning possible Oaky and Surrey work together for the summer, with her possible making few sailing on route #2 as well. Then again she could be based at HSB and see four ship's on route #2 and Vancouver on Langel. There as be hints that there could be upgraded service of route 30 as well with New West for summer. I see the point here is no matter what there will upgraded summer time service on major routes.

Interesting, but the way you have explained where the retro C class vessels will be positioned, (the Surrey on route 3, the Coquitlam and Oak Bay on route 2, and the Alberni and Cowichan on route 30) what will the fourth boat be on route 1?

[Political Incorrectness]

BCFS is planning on keeping the New Westminster still.

[Hardy]

wetcoastkidjst said:

It would be nice to know what BCFS's has planned for Route 1 once the Coastal Cel is on the scene. Will, as suggested above, it become a primary vessel displacing a Spirit? I do not think so due to the larger auto and passenger capacities of the Spirits. I can see the Coastal Cel becoming the main fill in vessel for Routes 1 & 2 primary vessels during refit season. I also think that the 4th vessel on Route 1 ought to be the Oak Bay, due to its larger passenger cabin space.

Please don't forget that by the time the Coastal Celery is in service, that there is going to be the small thing called THE OLYMPICS going on. Expect tourism and interest in this region to boom up slightly. Extra sailings will be the norm, rather than the exception. Expect the C's, Super-C's, Super-V's (Spirits) and a few "aux" vessels to all be in service and running regularly .....

Or has this little tidbit slipped everyone's mind?

[Low Light Mike]

to BlackShadow:

Please remind me of your "ferry connection". My guess is that you work at WMG shipyards?

I'm not challenging you, I just want to know your connection, to give me some context for your very-interesting-information.

Thanks for all the info....

[WettCoast]

hardy said:

Please don't forget that by the time the Coastal Celery is in service, that there is going to be the small thing called THE OLYMPICS going on. Expect tourism and interest in this region to boom up slightly. Extra sailings will be the norm, rather than the exception. Expect the C's, Super-C's, Super-V's (Spirits) and a few "aux" vessels to all be in service and running regularly .....

Or has this little tidbit slipped everyone's mind?

Perhaps I will be proven wrong but I do not expect that the Olympics will produce that much of a surge in traffic on BCFS's routes. People coming for the Olympics will be pre-occupied with the Games (which are happening entirely on the Mainland), and not many will be taking advantage of the time to visit Long Beach, Sooke Harbour House, or the Secret Cove Yacht Club. It is, after all, mid-winter! There will of course be people from the Island traveling to the Mainland in increased numbers during that period. Net result is that I expect traffic demands to be similar to what would be the case during the schools Spring Break period.

The 2002 Winter Olympics (remember them) were held in Salt Lake City, Utah. They did not experience a big boom in visitation following the Games, and I don't think Vancouver will either.

Lastly, in 1994, a sporting event was held in BC that attracted more athletes, more countries, and far more events than the Winter Olympics will. Furthermore the event happened on Vancouver Island in mid summer and BCF's played a significant role in getting peple there. Anyone remember?

[Neil]

I think there will be a huge surge in traffic for the Olympics. In terms of total people involved- athletes, audience, media, officials- surely it will dwarf the Commonwealth Games. There won't be much of an increase in tourism to the Island, but Island people will be coming over to the mainland in droves.

It will be a really interesting time for ferry fans; we might see service levels at the Expo '86 summer level, only with bigger boats, and probably boats on routes where we don't usually see them. Perhaps for a couple of weeks we'll see the Inside Passage route operating out of Tsawwassen, as it used to do for a time in the winter, and maybe there will be two boats. We'll have, what, five or six new ferries by then? Gordon Campbell will be so eager to have everything run smoothly, the operating subsidy for BC Ferries might be increased for the period to make sure there are no nasty pictures of endless waits at the terminals in freezing weather.

Here were the service highlights in place for summer '86, for Expo:

Route 1- Five boats, 20 round trips every day.
Route 2- Four boats, 16 round trips a day.
Route 3- Two boats, 16 round trips a day.
Route 5- Two boats, 13 round trips a day.
Route 7- Queen of Tsawwassen, Queen of The Islands.

[Low Light Mike]

wetcoastkidjst said:

Lastly, in 1994, a sporting event was held in BC that attracted more athletes, more countries, and far more events than the Winter Olympics will. Furthermore the event happened on Vancouver Island in mid summer and BCF's played a significant role in getting peple there. Anyone remember?

I believe that the Canadian team for the Commonwealth Games chartered the SOBC to travel as a team to the games. (following their initial arrival in Vancouver in the days leading up to the games' opening.

[PCL Driver]

Lets keep in mind that the Olympics are only for two weeks...I can't see BCFS expanding the service like they did for Expo...that was 5 1/2 months...

[PCL Driver]

blackshadow said:

Route one will get upgraded service, I hear. That means three ships full time. Spirts and super.

A year round upgraded service, or just summers?

[Neil]

pcldriver said:

Lets keep in mind that the Olympics are only for two weeks...I can't see BCFS expanding the service like they did for Expo...that was 5 1/2 months...

The period of ancillary business activity, commercial traffic, and increased personal travel around the Olympics will probably be for somewhat longer than the two weeks of the actual games.

Anyway, BC Ferries already increases capacity on a daily basis for some off season holiday periods, and with the Olympics being so high profile, I think they'll find the resources to provide considerably increased service for two, three, or four weeks.