Ferry Employees

[Political Incorrectness]

Doug, I think it did not matter which end was facing where due to the fact that there are areas like on the Coquitlam and Cowichan to load the overhead loading span to. However, I can clairfiy that the last time the Alberni was used on route 2, the catwalks faced HSB.

[Ferryman]

The longer catwalks always do point towards Horseshoe Bay, and it DOES matter which end they point at, or they're useless. It's all because of a series of ferries called the V-Class. The V-Class have gates that are almost in the center of the ship, that are right by cafeteria. So, if you switch the direction of the Ferry, the gates and the foot passenger ramps will not match up. Also, if you've noticed, there is longer foot passenger walkways that extend out over the water at the Island terminals, and short ones that are right by the car deck ramps.

Queen of Oak Bay is a perfect example:

Island end (#1 end)
photosbychris2006.fotopic.net/p25661290.html

Mainland end (#2 end)
photosbychris2006.fotopic.net/p25661047.html

[Airchime]

Did you guys know the Alberni only had one catwalk at the Tsawwassen end (#2) for the first few years of Mid-Island service?



When they used berth 3 the foot passengers had to unload;load from the Main Car Deck (no access from the Upper Car Deck).

[Curtis]

Never did know that one. But wasn't there another short Catwalk on that side before that one was extended to unload at Tsawwassen? they must have removed that one