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Post by Ferryman on Dec 26, 2006 11:40:28 GMT -8
Well, one thing you definitely will notice these days, is that BC Ferries isn't running the V's as hard as they used to. When they're on Roue 30, or Route 2 anyway. The V's are run just a little bit slower than the rest of the major vessels, and ends up adding up to be about 20 minutes, to half an hour of a longer sailing time, depending on which direction you're going (docking). This year, there is berth upgrades at both Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay. Departure Bay only has Berth 3, as a double ramp. So when you get a case of two Ferries arriving at once, one of the Ferries will have to wait. Unless the vessel is equipped with articulating ramps, and uses Berth 1. I captured this about 20 minutes ago, and it looks like the Queen of Oak Bay will arrive at the same time as the Queen of Esquimalt.  |
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Post by Mike C on Dec 26, 2006 12:08:07 GMT -8
Well it looks like the Oak Bay will be using her articulating ramps or waiting, 'cause the Esquimalt called 3 first.  It also looks like a harsh day at Departure Bay today; the cars are lined up down Departure Bay road.  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 26, 2006 14:15:16 GMT -8
In the spirit of petty-pickiness, "Departure Bay Road" does not reach the ferry terminal.
You're likely referring to Stewart Avenue, which is the flat, 4-lane street that runs along Newcastle Channel.
I feel better now...
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Post by Mike C on Dec 26, 2006 15:56:57 GMT -8
Or you could've just edited my post  Thanks for the correction; I should've known this by now (I've spent hours on that "Stewart Avenue" of yours waiting for something to take me home (That is the only time which I don't care what ferry I end up on)). |
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Dec 26, 2006 19:06:22 GMT -8
The V's may be slow and well.... old.... but: The oldies are the goldies! ;D
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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 Dec 26, 2006 19:29:55 GMT -8
The V's are classics. Especially the Van. I am getting tired of riding the newer ferries so my next few trips I wanna ride the V's!
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Post by markkarj on Dec 26, 2006 22:50:54 GMT -8
Unless the vessel is equipped with articulating ramps, and uses Berth 1. What are articulating ramps? Does anyone have pictures of them? I was under the impression that the V-class ships were re-engined when they were lifted (with the same MAK models that the C-class ships use). Could it be another mechanical problem rather than the ships' age that's leading them to run slower? |
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Dec 26, 2006 22:58:24 GMT -8
I do love the V's (and B's!)! I am so happy because this weekend I got to ride ALL 3 of them ;D But I also think that I need to move on to the C and S Class and get accustomed to the new ferries. The dogwood won't be around forever so I may as well start thinking about other things than dogwood carpet. I am happy to say though: All, or at least most of the big ferries still use the expo 86 kitchen stuff (ie plates, bowls etc.) And as far as I see it, I want to ride all BC Ferries in my lifetime, so why not get started now?!
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Post by Curtis on Dec 27, 2006 0:53:29 GMT -8
Unless the vessel is equipped with articulating ramps, and uses Berth 1. What are articulating ramps? Does anyone have pictures of them? I was under the impression that the V-class ships were re-engined when they were lifted (with the same MAK models that the C-class ships use). Could it be another mechanical problem rather than the ships' age that's leading them to run slower? The Articulating Ramp is a Ramp that allows access to the upper car deck from the main car deck, It is a feature only on the four C Class Vessels, It is mainly used when a C Class uses berth 2 at the Langdale Ferry Terminal, on the Ship it is located Mid Ship on one side of the ship seen Here, from below it looks like This.(Four C Class because the Queen of Alberni was originally an overhight ferry with one deck) |
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Post by Curtis on Dec 27, 2006 1:01:52 GMT -8
I do love the V's (and B's!)! I am so happy because this weekend I got to ride ALL 3 of them ;D But I also think that I need to move on to the C and S Class and get accustomed to the new ferries. The dogwood won't be around forever so I may as well start thinking about other things than dogwood carpet. I am happy to say though: All, or at least most of the big ferries still use the expo 86 kitchen stuff (ie plates, bowls etc.) And as far as I see it, I want to ride all BC Ferries in my lifetime, so why not get started now?! Sorry for the double post but this Post just brought my mind back to an old subject from the old days about us talking about the dogwood carpets on the Ferries being the carpet we have at home. Would have been good as a door mat but not spread all over the house |
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Post by Retrovision on Dec 27, 2006 1:29:35 GMT -8
Thanks for that, Chris. - I'm reminded of October when the Queen of New Westminster had unexpected mechanical problems that pulled it out of service. They got the Queen of Vancouver going as fast as they always do in a case like this, but time had already been lost and the Duke Point vessel, the speedy Queen of Alberni, was quickly catching-up to where the Tsawwassen vessel would normally have been. So after rushing with the same speed as any other time to get the 'Vancouver up and running and the backlog of traffic moving again, they still barely ever pushed the old gal over the 17knot mark, which I can attest to as I was working at home on my computer that day and checked back frequently. My first reaction, and because of the lack of checks and ballances within BCFS one that I haven't yet fully discounted in cases like this, was that they were simply using the excuse to save fuel / $ by running her slow, but understand the kinds of effects of age on ships of all stripes, especially one that was originally built in 1962... The QUeen of New Westminster is experiencing an electrical problem and has been temporarily removed from service. The Queen of Vancouver will sail in place of the Queen of New Westminster until our engineers determine the problem and facilitate repairs. The Queen of Vancouver will depart Tsawwassen at approximately 11:15 am --- one hour later than the Queen of New Westminster was scheduled to depart. As the Queen of Vancouver is a slightly slower vessel, it will run off schedule. The Queen of Alberni, the other vessel operating on the route, continues to operate on schedule. A further update will be provided when more information is available. Maybe a late night if the Vancouver does three round trips.
And now we're seeing the effect of this in the two vessels on the route bunching up. This image captured from 2:09pm, just after the Queen of Vancouver left Duke Point terminal, shows the Queen of Alberni fast approching from Tsawwassen terminal
 ...And they certainly aren't doing all they can to getting things back on track for the many people delayed by the Queen of New Westminster's problems; after checking back a few times, I haven't seen the Queen of Vancouver pushed beyond 17.7knots. Same map, as of a few minutes after 4pm
(Queen of Vancouver arriving at Tsawwassen terminal, Queen of Alberni not far behind)
From BCFS' website:
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Post by Barnacle on Dec 27, 2006 8:33:00 GMT -8
One thing to consider as vessels get older is that they tend to vibrate a lot more, too. WSF's venerable Super class are actually capable of operating at 20 knots (I've seen the Elwha achieve 23 once) but the vibration is a real tooth-rattler. And once you get to a certain point (it's different on every ship or hull design), the amount of fuel you have to consume to get that extra knot is ridiculous; in some cases, it nearly doubles.
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Dec 27, 2006 9:50:35 GMT -8
It is unfortunate that they have to run them slow. And even though I love the V Class I have to give in to the fact that they are getting old and don't have much life left in them. As far as I see it , live life to the fullest! Also, I find that the vibrating on the Oldies is sort of soothing. It gives you the feeling that you really are on a ferry and that is what I look forward to every time I am on the coast! I feel that I am fortunate to have been on 6 out of the 7 sisters! And I will keep enjoying riding on the V's until thy are retired. (As tears come trickling down my cheeks!)
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 27, 2006 13:15:55 GMT -8
In a booklet I have with some of the stats on the Queen of Victoria, the fuel consumtion would be appoximately 22,000 litres, every 16 hour day, while travelling 19 knots. So I would assume that those numbers would be somewhat the same as the other 3 V-Class.
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Post by Curtis on Dec 27, 2006 14:09:03 GMT -8
You definatly have to consider fuel consumption as a key factor in the "V" Class going slower then the "C" Class.
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Post by Dane on Dec 27, 2006 15:05:48 GMT -8
You definatly have to consider fuel consumption as a key factor in the "V" Class going slower then the "C" Class. No you don't  It's all about the engine size vs. vessel weight vs. hull design vs. a few other factors that can fit into the first three if you're creative enough LOL |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 27, 2006 18:00:18 GMT -8
Let me try my hand at this, logic style:
Key Question:
- Can a V-class travel as fast as a C-class, regardless of factors such as fuel economy, etc? Is it physically possible for a V to match-speed with a C ?
If Yes, then:
- What prevents BCFS from having a V travel at the same C-speed?
a) Fuel economy?
b) Vessel wear & tear?
If No, then:
- End my discussion here.
========================
Bonus round:
- What is your Name?
- What is you Quest?
- What is the sea-speed velocity of an unladen V-class?
========================
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Post by markkarj on Dec 27, 2006 20:32:06 GMT -8
I was under the impression that the hulls of the V-class ships had been re-designed... fitted with bulbous bows, side sponsons, etc when the ships were lifted and re-engined. Wonder what that did to their performance.
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Post by Retrovision on Dec 27, 2006 20:44:35 GMT -8
I was under the impression that the hulls of the V-class ships had been re-designed... fitted with bulbous bows, side sponsons, etc when the ships were lifted and re-engined. Wonder what that did to their performance. The Queen of New Westminster as most of us know, although not technically a 'V' Class vessel, has not only had a bulbous bow installed (I'm assuming that one), but has also had a complete re-forming of her hull and re-engining (her old engines are sitting at Deas) in 1991, when she was lifted. These are of course the reasons why the New West can parallel the schedule of a 'C' Class vessel between Tsawwassen and Duke Point, as well as why whenever the New West is out of service on the run, the scheduled crossing time goes up from 2hrs to 2hrs 20minutes. I know this is obvious/old info to most of us on this forum, but I figured I'd remind anyone who isn't clear on why the New West is now unique compared to her 'V' Class cousins or state it for those who are just tuning-in now. Graham |
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Post by markkarj on Dec 27, 2006 22:02:32 GMT -8
Hi Graham:
Point well taken. I'm under the impression that the four V-class ships had been through similar changes through their lifting in the early 1980s... new engines (perhaps lower horsepower than QoNW?), bulbous bows (saw the pics on the Spirit of BC in the Deck 6 lounge years ago), and the side sponsons to provide extra lift and "neutralize" the weight of the vehicles on the additional car deck.
Could the refit of the QoNW involved a hull re- design unique to her? After all, there was nearly a decade between the original V-class development and the QoNW refit.
Mark
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 28, 2006 19:42:25 GMT -8
The main reason for the speed diference between the QoNWM and the QoVan and other V class ships is engine size. The latter has 9000 hp while the former has 16800. I assume that the QoNWM burns considerably more fuel than its V class sisters.
Source: fleet profiles on BCFS's website.
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Post by bcfcbccsscollector on Dec 28, 2006 20:32:01 GMT -8
Bonus round: - What is your Name? - What is you Quest? - What is the sea-speed velocity of an unladen V-class? ======================== African or European? I don't know..... Aaarrrrggggghhhh!!!!!!!!! You should know what I mean Mike!  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 28, 2006 20:48:43 GMT -8
I knew I could count on you. |
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Post by Dane on Dec 30, 2006 2:01:09 GMT -8
The info was at the 2005 BCFS AGM, Cascade. I'm sure they can pull it out for you. Before the fuiel surcharge extensive fuel efficiency measurements were done.
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Post by Dane on Dec 31, 2006 11:50:09 GMT -8
Adjustments aren't possible without an initial consumption value. Besides, I'm sure BCFS is charged per litre so it isn't too hard to figure out. Queen of Capilano = 1 Chevron two length gas truck LOL
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