Queen of Alberni, last chance before MLU

[Ferryman]

On November 11th, I'm planning on getting on the Queen of Alberni one more time, before her MLU. I'm only trying to do this trip, as I missed the last one. I'm thinking of maybe just going over on the 12:45pm from Tsawwassen, and returning on the 3:15 from Duke Point. So far I think Graham and Karl are interested in attending. Anyone else is also welcome to join, or else I wouldn't be making this post . Any other suggestions for doing this trip are welcome as well.

Notmuchlonger, will you be working on any of those sailings? Obviously you'll have more important duties, if you are working. But I'm just curious if you are, as the 11th, is just a few days before she goes to Washington Marine, and if I remember correctly, just a few days before you officially retire?

[nolonger]

Unfortunately no. I started back for a 5 day shift today, and am off Nov. 9th - 13th and back again on the 14th on the coquitlam.

[Mac Write]

I might be interested if I can wake up in time. Need to clean my camera though.

[Koastal Karl]

I dont think I will be going as I am working that weekend. I have been on the Alberni twice so I guess I dont really need to go again. I can always get on her at Departure Bay again if I am not working.

[Ferryman]

Turns out, I have to work this Saturday, on Rememberance Day......

But! I definitely have Sunday the 12th, and Monday the 13th off. The 13th is a Stat holiday (for me anyways..).

So I was thinking of delaying this trip to the 13th, as this is the absolute last day for the Alberni on Route 30, with the original C-Class interior. Would this tempt a few more members to attend?


Jeez, we have alot of trips to do this month......

[Koastal Karl]

hmm, I am working 6 days in a row starting Friday. Not too thrilled about that. Maybe if I call in sick one day I could make it. Monday you say?? lol!

[Mac Write]

Well I am out. I have to wait around all day Monday for cable repair.

[Scott]

I'm going to try to be on the Alberni today on the 8:15 from Duke Point. I guess it will be her last trip to Tsawwassen before her MLU. It'll probably be crowded, but I'm parked in Tsawwassen, so I have to go that way and I'm not waiting until 11:50:)

[Queen of Nanaimo Teen]

Do you guys think they will get rid of any more of her car deck windows?

[Ferryman]

klitsa said:

Do you guys think they will get rid of any more of her car deck windows?

Most likely, yes. Look on the brightside, she'll probably be getting Fire windows on the passenger decks, where there are covered up windows, leaving a nice blank wall to sit beside.

It baffles my mind with why the Alberni upgrade is going to cost the same as it did to upgrade the Oak Bay and Surrey ($40 million).....

[Curtis]

Either the Steel price has really sky-rocketed, or this reconfiguring of the Passenger area is really expensive. I think it might be a good idea for the Coastal Cafe layout to go from mid ship to the end of the ship like the layout of the cafeteria from the cowichan's 1996 upgrade and have the other side for mainly sitting area. Something like the Queen of Chilliwack.

[jcachristian]

Was down at Departure Bay about 2pm Tuesday Afternoon, Queen of Alberni at Berth 1. Got some pictures will post sometime in the next week to my photo bucket site.

It was very high tide and it was a challenge to dodge the waves walking along the beach. Some places I had to climb over logs and through the bush and cliffs. This is how dedicated I am for my pictures.

The ALberni is docked with her snack Bar lounge facing the dock as she would dock at Duke Point. She is looking rather rusted. I can't wait to see her back in June before she enters service.

[Scott]

notmuchlonger said:

Unfortunately no. I started back for a 5 day shift today, and am off Nov. 9th - 13th and back again on the 14th on the coquitlam.

Were you on the Coquitlam in the storm today (Wednesday)? She was one of the first to brave the storm.

[nolonger]

Yes, pm shift. We stayed welded to the dock until our 2015 sailing. By that time the wind had shifted around to NW 30 knots. Had about a 4 -5 ft swell, at Tsawwassen the wind was down to about 20 knots at 2215 hrs and had eased to very light SW when we arrived at Duke for tie up.

[Koastal Karl]

What do you do all that time you are at the dock?

[nolonger]

Drills, training, more drills and training. Had supper!

[Barnacle]

Same thing with the southern outfit... drills, training and "project" maintenance--like stripping and waxing the elevator, which can't really be done underway because it has to be locked at one floor to get the work done.

Mind you, with the exception of Port Townsend, WSF was protected enough to keep operating. Though Lopez Island was definitely a no-go until about seven o'clock when the wind rather abruptly changed directions and put Lopez dock in the lee. ;D

[Ferryman]

Ok, here's the News Release.

www.bcferries.com/news/files/06-075albernitoundergomlu.pdf

For those of you who are lazy, here's a short summary about what it says.

• 5th, and last C-Class to undergo the MLU
  
• 30 year old vessel will be upgraded to provide another 20 years of service
  
  Here's what work will be done on it
  
  
• New State of the Art Evacuation System
  
• Structural Fire Protection Upgrades
  
• New Emergency Generator
  
• Upgrades to Hull and Structure
  
• Main Shaft Refurbishment
  
• Annual Machinery Maintenance
  
• New Elevator
  
• New Heating, Ventalation and Air Conditioning Systems
  
• Update Washrooms, and Install New Coin Operated Showers
  
• Expand and Remodel Gift Shop
  
• New Food Service Facilities
  
• New Interior Design
  
• New and Improved Passenger Seating Areas
  

[Koastal Karl]

Why the heck are they installing showers on the Alberni for a 2 hour crossing??? I can see the northern routes having them but not for a 2 hour run unless maybe for truckers or something. That is interesting!

[Low Light Mike]

I was wondering about the coin-op showers too.

People are going to start to wonder about any ferry-freak group trips on the new Alberni...... ;D

But seriously, why would the Alberni's passengers need on-board showers? Do the Spirit-ferries have them, or will the Super-C's?

Obviously the Albundy won't be used on Route-40, so an overnight long-trip isn't the reason.

Or is it simply a truck-driver's convenience, for those rigs-drivers who take the 5:15am sailing, and likely haven't yet had a morning shower?

Now, how clean would a Ferry shower-stall be? A germ factory perhaps? I think it could get pretty gross in there.

Also, what type of brand-identity would be given to the Albundy showers? (following the lead of SeaWest, Coastal, Lantern, NorthStar, Lighthouse, Dogwood, Evergreen, Pacific, etc).

How about the "Starfish Showers", or the "Coastal Cleaning"??

[Political Incorrectness]

I am surprised none of you thought of the reasoning of since it is a freight ferry in technical terms, do you want stinky truckers on the boat?

[Koastal Karl]

If you went into the washrooms on the Chilliwack you would of seen the showers they have on there for the Discovery Coast route!

[Mike C]

Yep - been on both the Prince Rupert and the Chilliwack - coin-op showers on both. And I'm going to assume that this "Coastal Cleaning" isn't very clean at all.

[Scott]

I'm sure the showers can't be any worse than the ones at provincial parks:) Which I never use - I'd rather go for a swim!

I guess CKNW found out today, around the 3 oclock news, that Vancouver Drydock had been awarded the refit contract. We probably could have told them that 4 years ago!

[Curtis]

That's kinda odd, although I can see that the truckers could use them