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Post by Ferryman on Dec 17, 2006 19:22:58 GMT -8
Update at 5:50pm, December 17ETA for the MV Sonia to arrive at the pilot station off Victoria is the afternoon of Monday, December 18th.
The vessel will then proceed to Esquimalt Harbour for Customs and Immigration clearance. Time of arrival and potential viewing locations will be provided with our next scheduled update tomorrow morning. Well, as you can see, BC Ferries is predicting that the ex Sonia, will be arriving in Esquimalt tomorrow afternoon. She's currently off of the coast of Oregon, and the end of her long journey is in sight. Originally, BC Ferries was predicting that she was going to arrive on Tuesday morning. But now, with their latest update, it has got me thinking. I'm now considering making the effort of going out to Victoria and back tomorrow, once I get the "OK" from my boss, that I can take tomorrow off (I don't really feel like dealing with a snow covered roof tommorw anyway.....). My plan would of course be to drive out to Tsawwassen, and then walk on to the Route 1 Ferry, or Route 9, and connect with the Cumbie or Mayne if there's time. Then I would "pull a Graham", and break my personal sworn oath to never take a transit bus ever again in my life, and I would actually take a Transit bus out to Esquimalt. Anyways, I'll be looking at bus schedules tonight, and will make the final decision in next few hours. Anyways, I'd like to know, who is/was planning on going out to watch the Sonia arrive in Victoria? |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 17, 2006 19:44:12 GMT -8
So we've already got Sonia's new name mis-spelled on our forum too?
I know that it sucks, but it's "Adventure", not "Adventurer".
I think this is part of the incompetency of the naming of these ships, that they picked a name that people would forever screw up.
CKNW screwed it up, and now us ferry-experts here are screwing it up too.
Like I said, I place the blame on BCFS for a poor name selection.
Perhaps BCFS would actually change the name to "Adventurer", in a type of last minute "Revenge of the Jedi" swap, but I doubt it, as the word "Adventure" is similar in context to "Expedition" & "Discovery".
If they were going to have "Adventurer", then they would also need "Expeditionist" and "Discoverer".
Everyone needs their soap box, and I've found my new toy.
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 17, 2006 19:44:17 GMT -8
The member, Pkeenlyside, has just posted a message on the yahoo forum, stating that her ETA will be approximately 16:00 (4:00). So maybe it won't be really worth going, due to the fact there will be a low amount of light out. Anyways, I'll see what some of you have to say about this, with whether or not anyone is serious about going.
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 17, 2006 19:45:41 GMT -8
So we've already got Sonia's new name mis-spelled on our forum too? I know that it sucks, but it's "Adventure", not "Adventurer". I think this is part of the incompetency of the naming of these ships, that they picked a name that people would forever screw up. CKNW screwed it up, and now us ferry-experts here are screwing it up too. Like I said, I place the blame on BCFS for a poor name selection. Heh.....woops. I'll fix that immediately.....stupid, stupid name........ Actually, it's was a typo, The "E" and the "R" are right beside each other on the keyboard, and I accidently pushed them at the same time.  |
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Dec 17, 2006 19:47:14 GMT -8
Strongly agree with that last part, as well as the most recent names chosen. Now 4:00 p.m., that does not make sense. Why are they doing this? Is this to get rid of attention and disappoint us specifically and the media?
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Doug
Voyager 
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Dec 17, 2006 20:16:01 GMT -8
Strongly agree with that last part, as well as the most recent names chosen. Now 4:00 p.m., that does not make sense. Why are they doing this? Is this to get rid of attention and disappoint us specifically and the media? Yeah, that's why. As if it's not going to be even closer to land the following day. Yeah...that's why. The world is against you, Dan. |
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 17, 2006 20:20:34 GMT -8
Maybe they want to arrive in darkness before the public can have a close look at this beautiful ship, especially her remarkable front end.
No doubt the Times-Colonist's photographer will have to wait to get his page one photo on another day.
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Post by Retrovision on Dec 18, 2006 1:38:58 GMT -8
The member, Pkeenlyside, has just posted a message on the yahoo forum, stating that her ETA will be approximately 16:00 (4:00). So maybe it won't be really worth going, due to the fact there will be a low amount of light out. Anyways, I'll see what some of you have to say about this, with whether or not anyone is serious about going. I am currently in Victoria ready for the arrival of the Sonia. If, as my signature says, any of you want to meet-up to witness her arrival, call me on my cel at - (If you're worried about long-distance costs, I can call you back when you call). Cheers, Graham P.S. If you need transit directions, I'm the guy to call. The catch is that not even I know where any official viewing areas might be thanks to BCFS putting it off until the morning of the day she arrives, but I'm thinking that Fort Rodd Hill might be a good bet considering the ammount of coast taken by restricted DND lands - another reason why maybe now is the best time to see her before her refit; Karl knows how difficult it is to view ferries at Esquimalt's dry dock, for example. As for directions, check this page out... www.bctransit.com/regions/vic/schedules/map.cfm?p=map.rname&&Region=40...The map shows that the 39 is the route that gets you closest to Fort Rodd Hill if that's where you want to wach from (although because of the low light, you might want to get closer to where she ties-up for customs) Here's the page for the #39... www.bctransit.com/regions/vic/schedules/map.cfm?p=side.txt&line=39&...Coming from Swartz Bay you would take the #70 to Royal Oak Exchange (ask the driver about how far along it is), cross the road and catch the #39 travelling the opposite direction of the bus you just got off from. As I mentioned, Call me if you have any questions about transit or want to meet to witness the Sonia's arrival - .Cheers, Graham |
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Post by Curtis on Dec 18, 2006 8:35:17 GMT -8
Would be nice to see the Northern Adventure Arrive. I'd suggest to put it on video cause camera flash is pretty hard to not have half the time at night. So we've already got Sonia's new name mis-spelled on our forum too? I know that it sucks, but it's "Adventure", not "Adventurer". I think this is part of the incompetency of the naming of these ships, that they picked a name that people would forever screw up. CKNW screwed it up, and now us ferry-experts here are screwing it up too. Like I said, I place the blame on BCFS for a poor name selection. Perhaps BCFS would actually change the name to "Adventurer", in a type of last minute "Revenge of the Jedi" swap, but I doubt it, as the word "Adventure" is similar in context to "Expedition" & "Discovery". If they were going to have "Adventurer", then they would also need "Expeditionist" and "Discoverer". Everyone needs their soap box, and I've found my new toy. Personally I don't think I've had trouble calling it Northern Adventure, But what do you say we make that her Nickname "The Adventurer". Oh BTW the wording in My Name is going from "Coastal" to "Northern" |
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 18, 2006 8:51:15 GMT -8
Well, as usual, I have to back out, from my plans and hopes, due to having other responsibilities which are more important apparently. Another reason being.....
The ETA has been revised to 14:30 (2:30pm).
So I'd have to catch the 11:00 out of Tsawwassen, and here it is almost 9:00, and I like to give my self about 2 and a half hours of time to get out to Tsawwassen from here. Plus it's snowing once AGAIN.......humbug......
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Post by Retrovision on Dec 18, 2006 10:44:36 GMT -8
Thank-you BCFerries - 3 times now the promised "potential viewing areas" have been withheld, adding to a rising internet-cafe cost on my end here in Victoria. Oh well, I guess I'll probably just end up pulling a, well, me and end up finding the best place on my own with my map - barring DND territory of course .  |
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Post by Barnacle on Dec 18, 2006 11:54:10 GMT -8
Okay, but don't get shirty if someone asks what you're doing on their roof. |
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 18, 2006 17:29:08 GMT -8
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 18, 2006 20:52:59 GMT -8
Well, the first set of pics to show up of todays arrival, are on Stapletons website.   CH News was also onboard the pilots boat, and a reporter was asking about how the voyage was with the Captain, over a VHF radio. It was pretty neat, so those of you who get CH, should watch the 11pm news. I tried to record it, but ended up not catching it until halfway through. But I'll be recording it tonight, and posting it tomorrow. |
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Post by sgrant on Dec 18, 2006 22:10:55 GMT -8
I think they asked the captain if they'd run into any bad weather. They did, off the Oregon coast. The captain said they'd run into 10m seas (!) and that they'd had to do something like "steering a weather course". Which I presume means angling into the waves to reduce the forces involved. The captain said they'd taken a real pounding, or something like that, which is pretty strong language for those people. At least they know the ship is seaworthy.
Looks to me like that stern is going to need a huge modification to work with BC ferries docks. And with no bow door, they will have to turn the vehicles around inside, like the Alaska ferries.
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Post by Barnacle on Dec 19, 2006 8:58:02 GMT -8
I hope it was greeted with more fanfare than what is shown in the pictures... when the Kalakala made it home in 1998, you could've walked across Seattle Harbor on the boats there to greet it, fireboat included, and that was just a rusty old hulk.
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Post by Retrovision on Dec 19, 2006 9:11:28 GMT -8
I'm back and rested after my night and long day in the capital region. I was surprised to see that there were fewer people than there were speakers from the public at BCFS's last AGM - none - at the closest publically accessible view, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisguard Lighthouse at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour, to witness this historic day, but I'm becoming less and less surprised at this seeming apathy among the public towards our ferry system. I must admit, though, that it was nice to welcome the Sonia in peace and quiet. Fortunately I stayed connected to the Pacific Pilotage website often enough to know that she would be arriving at the pilot station at 2:30pm, and low and behold as I was arriving at Fort Rodd Hill spokesperson Deborah Marshall comes onto CBC Radio's news in soundbite form confirming the timing. I certainly am glad that I decided to not listen to the BCFS agent over the phone, after Pacific Pilotage's website had noted the earlier time, as I would have been about 2 hours too late. Just as I arrived at the beach the Sonia was starting to make her wide turn into Esquimalt Harbour from the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This was not a time to be timid, so I ventured onto the little island that during a higher tide would be inaccessible from the lighthouse's own island to get the best photos that I could and finally rested at ease knowing that really only bad footing on the rocks could ruin my good timing. But I digress. Here are some of the fruits of my labour...           More to come in time. Cheers, Graham |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2006 9:57:30 GMT -8
I was talking to somebody yesterday about how BC Ferries new ship, Northern Adventure, was arriving today in Victoria and all I got was, "And why should I care that BC Ferries new ship is arriving?"  ...But NO apathy here! I really enjoy your videos! Many thanks! |
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Post by Dane on Dec 19, 2006 10:10:37 GMT -8
... Rust already? Send her back.
;D
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Post by Northern Exploration on Dec 19, 2006 10:23:29 GMT -8
Great pics! The oversize windows on the bridge and the big round windows make her seem smaller than she is. It gives you better perspective when you see people on the stern of the upper deck.
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Post by Barnacle on Dec 19, 2006 13:39:41 GMT -8
Great work Graham! I also love that your efforts alway have a good story with them. |
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Dec 19, 2006 16:05:35 GMT -8
Wow! those are awesome! I love the paint job they did on her. It actually goes on the bow (comparison to the QOPR, YUCK). I can't wait to see her when she is in service on the coast!
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Post by Curtis on Dec 19, 2006 16:34:35 GMT -8
Once again an Excellent Job, Graham.
And let me be the first to say this to our former MV Sonia now Northern Adventure
WELCOME TO BRITISH COLUMBIA
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Dec 19, 2006 16:36:00 GMT -8
Great pics and videos, Graham! If I could drive and get the day off, I definitely would have been down there.  Thanks. |
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Post by Mike C on Dec 19, 2006 18:13:57 GMT -8
...damn school..... Great pics Graham, thanks for going through all that to take some pictures for us. Fits in well with our coastal scenery... except for maybe the stern doors, but that'll hopefully be fixed soon enough ;D |
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Thanks.
