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Post by Ferryman on Apr 1, 2006 8:47:37 GMT -8
This is pretty interesting.....
The three Pacificats that were built for BC Ferries in the late 1990s, that were set to replace the aging C-Class Ferries on the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route, but deemed a failure later on, and costing the BC Government nearly $500 million dollars, are about to make a comeback finally.
In March of 2003, the Three Pacificat Ferries were auctioned off by Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, were sold to the Washington Marine Group, for a total of $19 million, Canadian.
Just three years later, the Pacificats are being placed on a faster, and more efficient route, on the Fraser River, to replace the small, and aging current Albion Ferries. The Pacificat Ferries can do the route in a rapid 2 minutes and 36 seconds, while travelling at a wicked speed of 34 knots. The Pacificats would reduce the amount of waits at this crossing, and would save the Province millions of dollars, by not building the Golden Ears bridge, that was set to start construction this Spring, just North of the Ferry route.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 1, 2006 9:01:32 GMT -8
Yeah, I heard the same story, on CBC Radio a few days ago.
Seems that the effects of the Fraser River's current will totally offset the effects of the FastCat's wakes.
It seems like the perfect fit.
The fact that TransLink will be buying them from WMG, at $75 Million per ship seems a bit high, but those new gas taxes on lower mainland residents should pay for this purchase in just 25 years.
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Post by Quinsam on Apr 1, 2006 9:01:47 GMT -8
Is the fraser river wide enough there?
LOL
That has to be a joke.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 1, 2006 9:11:09 GMT -8
Come on Harry, are you saying that an idea to use existing ships on a short-route is a joke?
You of all people should see that the FastCat-Albion idea would work.
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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 Apr 1, 2006 9:23:39 GMT -8
lol, why dont they just put two together and make a floating bridge out of them??? Although with traffic that goes through there that might be a problem to let traffic though. Otherwise that has to be a joke!
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Post by Quinsam on Apr 1, 2006 9:24:01 GMT -8
Maybe 1 or 2 ships, but not all 3, there isn't enough room.
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Post by NMcKay on Apr 1, 2006 9:44:53 GMT -8
this is a joke. it would take you longer to fill them up, then it would to crass the river.
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Post by Quinsam on Apr 1, 2006 10:10:55 GMT -8
Talk about dock maintenance and changes!
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Post by tyty on Apr 1, 2006 11:12:07 GMT -8
Remember what day it is people.
I think there'd be some really huge contractual problems by having to cancel the Golden Ears Bridge project!!!
And, the bridge would be placed west of the ferry route, not north!
That would be something to see the FastCats doing that crossing, though...
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Post by Curtis on Apr 1, 2006 11:20:20 GMT -8
What the Fudge!!!! (<--Yeah that's what I said) This is probabley possible but they would need major modifications to do that. Cut off the top decks to make them lighter, put in floor lounges like the current 2 ships if they need them, and finally make them double enders so they don't have to turn around. It would be better than competition with BC Ferries where they could have more complaints from the wake. Could you imagine if they made WMG go bankrupt which of course is almost impossible
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Post by ed on Apr 1, 2006 11:43:01 GMT -8
You may want to check this out for BC Ferries Onboard Amenities for the southern routes and about the Pacific Buffet. tinyurl.com/n6quv |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,307
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Post by Neil on Apr 1, 2006 12:19:40 GMT -8
You know, taking into account the, umm, shall we say, innocence of some of the people on this board, it's not really fair making jokes like that, Chris. You're familiar with the term, shooting fish in a barrel? Well...
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Apr 1, 2006 13:42:16 GMT -8
This is a great idea...! It would only take an hour to load/unload, and two minutes to cross!
I wish I thought of this earlier....
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 1, 2006 13:54:29 GMT -8
That is the exact problem, and simply wasting gas by just sitting in dock, I wonder how big those bills are going to be for fuel?
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Post by Scott on Apr 1, 2006 15:59:45 GMT -8
I heard that they're still going to make you leave your car once you're on the ferry and come up to the passenger area.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 1, 2006 16:15:12 GMT -8
Who thinks the fastcats should be put in the books as scrap metal?
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 1, 2006 16:28:11 GMT -8
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SHipbuilders daughterwife
Guest
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Post by SHipbuilders daughterwife on Apr 1, 2006 17:02:47 GMT -8
Well this is April Fool's Day people.......
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Post by Retrovision on Apr 1, 2006 17:08:29 GMT -8
You may want to check this out for BC Ferries Onboard Amenities for the southern routes and about the Pacific Buffet. tinyurl.com/n6quvWell this is April Fool's Day people.......
True, but the link mentioned, tinyurl.com/n6quv , actually appears to be part of the BCFerries.com official website.
"Vessels serving customers on BC Ferries routes between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast and the new PacifiCat service on the Fraser River offer a wide range of passenger services. The mix may vary from one ship to the next but the goal is always the same: to make your voyage as comfortable and enjoyable as we can. Look for the following amenities when you join us for your next trip across the water."
----------------------------------------------------------------- [glow=white,2,300]I tip my hat to you, ed[/glow] |
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Apr 1, 2006 17:32:47 GMT -8
I heard that they're still going to make you leave your car once you're on the ferry and come up to the passenger area. Ya, and then they are going to make you watch the safety video with music. |
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Post by NMcKay on Apr 1, 2006 17:44:58 GMT -8
by the time the video is over, your on the otherside.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 1, 2006 17:48:16 GMT -8
Well, originally, I posted that "announcement" at 8:47 this morning. But if you look closely at the bottom, HMCS Nanaimo (ex Ultra Walker, ex Flugel Horn) had made the last edit at 8:59am. Initially I had put at the bottom of that "announcement", "Check back for updates on the next April Fools day". I just wanted to make you guys get a bit of a laugh after reading that. I've learned from that now, as I know now as I gotta keep a good impression for hornbyguy. But I was amazed that ed copied a page from the BCF website, and modified it to fit this joke. Along with HMCS (ex Ultra Walker, ex Flugel Horn) saying he had heard the news on the CBC this morning. I actually didn't make that story up myself. Last year I was reading a copy of the "Langley Advance" newspaper, on last years April Fools day. They had me fooled big time, but later found it quite funny. www.langleyadvance.com/issues05/041105/opinion/041105le2.htmlOne person didn't find it funny....(bottom of the page..) www.langleyadvance.com/issues05/041105/opinion/041105le2.htmlHere's another Ferry related April Fools joke, which I didn't find funny at all, and I'm sure you guys wouldn't, if someone sprung this one at you. Someone reported to the radio station, News1130, last night, that they have waterfront property in Esquimalt, and heard an explosion out on the water, and looked out of their window to see a huge fireball coming off of the Queen of Prince Rupert. I felt nearly as stunned as I did when I heard about the Queen of the North sinking. But wow, what a horrible thing to say, after with what has been happening lately.... Now which would you guys rather have sprung at you on April Fools day....A silly story of the Fastcats taking over the Albion Ferry route, or the Queen of Prince Rupert going up in a fire ball.... Happy April Fools day everyone, see ya in a year...  |
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Post by Retrovision on Apr 1, 2006 17:58:35 GMT -8
cheers
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Apr 1, 2006 18:00:07 GMT -8
If I had remembered about April Fool's Day I might have started something about the Rupert hitting a rock in the Gulf Islands and sinking.  |
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Apr 1, 2006 18:08:28 GMT -8
Umm...I don't think the Pacificats can load faster than the Albion Ferries...especially with a single-lane ramp.
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