I have just had an Idea!

[Balfour]

They could probably moth-ball the V's until 2010 when the extra capacity is needed, otherwise they can go once the olympics are done.

[Political Incorrectness]

so then where do the v's go? I think you could probably use all of them even when the super c's come. have 4 vessels on route 2 and 3 on route 30

[Doug]

The "V"s will not be needed, and I don't think BC Ferries is going to pay $2 million a year to keep them tied up.

[Balfour]

I guess a decision about the V's and Vessel allocation will depend on BC's population demographics, and demand for these routes.

[Dane]

qsandwich said:

I guess a decision about the V's and Vessel allocation will depend on BC's population demographics, and demand for these routes.

The Olympics are in 5 years.... that is not very long at all. In fact, it's a lot less than 5 years, it's like 4 and a bit. The demographics of BC in ladder 2005 will be very similar to the demographics of BC in early 2010. Yes, the population will be bigger, older, and Vancouver Island will have growth but not enough fast enough to have 3 piece of crap ships run for 4 more years making crews sick and draining the maintenance budget for what will be a two week blip in passenger counts. Add a 5am and an 11pm, and we're set.

[Engineer]

dougubell said:

The "V"s will not be needed, and I don't think BC Ferries is going to pay $2 million a year to keep them tied up.

LoL They would be sitting on the bottom with out a full time Engineering crew to nurse them along,

[Quinsam]

I know the V's are not very comfortable with Wooden Chairs, but they are good enough to last another 5 years.

[Dane]

welwyn said:

I know the V's are not very comfortable with Wooden Chairs, but they are good enough to last another 5 years.

I'm not entirely sure you're grasping the issue here. It has nothing to do with passenger comfort.

[Quinsam]

I know it isn't, I am just saying it isn't realy comfortable on the V's, I think the V's are in good enough condition to live another 5 or 6 years

[Curtis]

Yeah I think the same thing about the Tsawwassen I think she's in fairly good shape

[QTeen]

The Tsawwassen does not meet a new rule on Transport Canada, so they want it turned into something other than a ferry, or sold overseas.

[Ferryman]

The same goes for the V-Class.......

[QTeen]

Whaa? What is the new regulation?

[Ferryman]

Same as the one for the Tsawwassen I believe. Their service life is coming to an end, or else they wouldn't be getting replaced. So it's time to upgrade. Not only for the use of old technology, but for the safety of the public. There's still alot of asbestos on those ferries, and who knows how much of it is disturbed with the vibrations from the engines below, and then there's the thought of the asbestos fibres blowing through the ventalation system. But I'm sure BCF has done the best of their abilities to keep those ships safe and running. But I'm sure each year they cost more and more to upkeep. Although I could be wrong. But as much as I would hate to see those ships go, it has to be done eventually. Everything can only be around for a certain time, nothing lasts forever.

[Quinsam]

So the new regulation is, large ships built before 1970 be replaced?

[Ferryman]

That pretty much sums it up, yes. But I have no idea what they're doing with the Bowen Class Ferries, they seem to be pretty reliable still.

[Quinsam]

Yes, why the Bowen class? They are not to be replaced yet!

[Doug]

Harry: there is no regulation stating "large ships" should be replaced if they are built before 1970. However, regulations at Transport Canada usually have to do with the safety equipment onboard...I don't think they could build a new ship with davit style safety equipment like the "C" Class ferries did. There is even a regulation for how high the passenger deck should be. The age of the steel is also a concern.

As far as I know, the "V" Class ferries have the same safety equipment onboard as the Tsawwassen...but I could be wrong.

[Dane]

prqueenkid16 said:

Yeah I think the same thing about the Tsawwassen I think she's in fairly good shape

and you are an authority on this obviously

[Mike C]

Yeah I think the same thing about the Tsawwassen I think she's in fairly good shape
--PR Ferries Teen 16

Let me consider this for a moment. There isn't much hope for the Tsawwassen left. BCF has already placed bids on a replacement vessel. Last time I was on the Tsawwassen, it was very uncomfortable. The hard plastic seats in the Cafeteria do not help. It is also to small. The gulf islands were a popular getaway in MID DECEMBER!!!!!

All in all, in my opinion, that is: out with the old, in with the new. I hope none of you were offended by this.

[Dane]

The Bowen Queen and Mayne Queen are actually starting to develope issues with deck strength which is obvious by BCFS's new restrictions on their loading limits.