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Post by newwest on Mar 29, 2005 19:07:55 GMT -8
Bill S,
Do I take it then, that you know Arthur? If so, could you maybe let him know about our interest in his ship? Maybe even forward some of our questions to him? How 'bout the Sidney herself, how is she doing? What kind of condition is she in? - So many questions!-lol
-BIFF!
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Post by Bill S on Mar 29, 2005 21:20:14 GMT -8
Yes, I know Arthur.What would you like to know? The Sydney is fine in a peaceful sort of way. Don't forget, she hasn't run in 4 or 5 years. We keep her in good shape for our purposes.Unfortunately we don't have a crew to keep her completely fit , so she keeps us running.The upper decks are tidy,car deck is cluttered,engine room quite messy.Other than a lack of repainting, she is in pretty good shape. Bill S, Do I take it then, that you know Arthur? If so, could you maybe let him know about our interest in his ship? Maybe even forward some of our questions to him? How 'bout the Sidney herself, how is she doing? What kind of condition is she in? - So many questions!-lol -BIFF! |
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Post by Ian on Mar 29, 2005 21:21:47 GMT -8
Will the sidney ever run again.
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Post by Curtis on Mar 29, 2005 21:24:59 GMT -8
I have the feeling she'll sit there for awhile than they'll do something to her
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Post by Curtis on Mar 29, 2005 21:28:26 GMT -8
nope. now that the reg isn't paid, i think the name can be used by anyone. BCF should own that name I can't belive they don't own the name of their first ferry do they own the names of any of the ships in the fleet |
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Post by Bill S on Mar 29, 2005 21:32:57 GMT -8
No Will the sidney ever run again. |
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Post by Curtis on Mar 29, 2005 21:36:17 GMT -8
Ouch  |
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Post by Bill S on Mar 29, 2005 21:53:17 GMT -8
Sorry to break the news to you.The Sydney was heavily vandalized when she spent her time in New West. Not only was there a lot of outright damage to her , but there were some integral items stolen that rendered her useless as a passenger ferry without spending a tremendous amout of money. This had a lot to do with the price she was sold for. Another bout of theft took place early on moored in Silverdale and that also set her fate. Ouch |
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Post by newwest on Mar 29, 2005 22:09:29 GMT -8
I almost shudder to ask this one, however I must.
I heard that the eventual plan is once she has been completely scuttled, you guys are gonna turn her over to the Canadian Diving Federation for sinking as (yet ANOTHER) artificial reef.
Is this true?[cringes in fear]
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Post by NMcKay on Mar 29, 2005 22:14:10 GMT -8
BCF should own that name I can't belive they don't own the name of their first ferry do they own the names of any of the ships in the fleet Yes. Check with Transport cananda and you will find the reg on all the ships. and i dont think it would take that much money if you were resourceful |
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Post by Bill S on Mar 29, 2005 22:22:35 GMT -8
Ya know.... based on everything I read here, this board is pretty much a "love of ferries" group, and we do too, I ask you,how cool it would be to own your own ferry?, we do, and we have had a blast so far. Problem is, one day everything will come to an end so to answer the question,The price of steel is soooo high, why would anyone want to sink her. We have had no less than 100 ideas and nothing is out of the question. No plans to sink her. I almost shudder to ask this one, however I must. I heard that the eventual plan is once she has been completely scuttled, you guys are gonna turn her over to the Canadian Diving Federation for sinking as (yet ANOTHER) artificial reef. Is this true?[cringes in fear] |
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Post by newwest on Mar 30, 2005 0:02:15 GMT -8
WHEW! I'm so releived to hear that. I can come to terms with just about anything about her fate, but I don't think I could take it-to see her being sunk, so I'm glad to hear you guys are concious of what you posess  She is - for all purposes THE BC Ferry. The 1st one ever launched.Take good care of her. |
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Post by Balfour on Mar 30, 2005 0:04:03 GMT -8
Agreed!
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Post by cascade on Mar 30, 2005 5:12:39 GMT -8
Any ideas on some of these 100 ideas you may have for her?
She was the vessel that as very young school kids - we were taken on board - great PR - back in the mid-60's.
Scrap prices are high - but I think only in China & India - still have to get her or peices of her there - so that cost would have to be added in.
I still think she could be turned into a floating lab - history of BCFS - great for everybody - from school age kids to Grand Parents who remember the "old" days.
Given that in 2010 - we will have most of the world on our door step - what a great time to show case the history of the coast.
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Post by Bill S on Mar 30, 2005 9:08:34 GMT -8
Some of the more passive thoughts revolved around mooring her at the end of the dock in White Rock, using her as a bed and breakfast,up to Squamish for the Olymics, a mini warehouse, a wood mill,floating logging camp, a resteraunt, this list goes on but always has obstacles. Yes China and India are not out of the question, there are several groups working on that as well. Everything costs money. We are open to any ideas. We are also still working with various others. We would love to see her preserved, but at what cost.
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Post by cascade on Mar 30, 2005 9:30:54 GMT -8
Bill,
I checked the scrap market on the Baltic today - and you may have a problem - they only want "clean" steel - where as I think the old girl has what is known in the trade as "Old & Tired" steel - so wouldn't want to count on that route as a possible money earner.
Like the idea of floating B&B. What sort of cost are needed to bring her up to say a 3 star rating - Food - WC ect... which I think could cost a packet.
Surely the Federal Government has Grants for things like turning old Houses into Learning teaching Zones - and she could be used like that - local colleges looking for a "real" shell - so people can strip down engines - rebuild.
What about the large engine man'f - like say Cat - wouldn't they be interested - they sell engine room gear and also bridge gear. She would therefore be suitable for usage as a teaching platform.
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Post by Bill S on Mar 30, 2005 10:02:17 GMT -8
The thing is, nothing is or has been a problem. As far as scrapping her goes,we haven't been the active parties, the scrap people come to us.We are biding our time. We have sold some items and we are using her for other things.
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Post by cascade on Mar 30, 2005 10:29:30 GMT -8
Bill,
I guess then it is local players - as the market for scrap - world wide is very full - every tom, thingy and harry has been jumping on this band wagon - looking for the quick buck - and shipping the stuff at cost to either China or India.
Therefore these two main places are now in a postion to pick and choice what they want. As China is producing new vessels - like the 20 containers TUE ships for the Washington Marine Group - then they can demand a much higher grade of steel - which is now also required for the building - so you need to mix raw materail with re-cycled stuff and the recycled stuff needs to be of a much higher grade.
If you sell to much stuff off her - then what will you have left - if your looking to turn her into either a B&B or something else?
What sort of stuff was nicked - you mentioned that ?
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Post by Bill S on Mar 30, 2005 11:03:55 GMT -8
Yes, Herein lies the conundrum. We have sold 3 of the 4 gensets. we use the 4th for all the "big power" items, port and aft doors,elevator,davits,fuel transfer pumps etc. The main Mirllees engines will never power the Queen again, but the upper deck area remains usable and intact for the most part. We have shore power, so we have electicity and water. Staterooms are very functionable. At this time we have potentially sold the entire galley. Do we sell this?Maybe. If the ship is eventually scrapped, wouldn't it be nice to know there is a resteraunt built around the Sydney?
Also, for the record, I sold the stearing room gear to the Coho (Victoria to Port Angeles run).I think it's kinda nice to know the Sydney is still working hard out there!
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Post by cascade on Mar 30, 2005 11:43:58 GMT -8
Bill,
That's really interesting. I guess she is now some sort of "organ donor". Shame to see - but that's the fact of life. Good comment about maybe someone else making use of the galley - good for a theme restaurant.
But if your going or thinking of turning her into some sort of B&B - then I guess it would be a lot cheaper to clear the decks and work off a flat open plan space - and make better usage of the space. The only down side will be people coming to visit her and not seeing what she really was like - all those years ago.
It is also a little bit more expensive if you try and reuse bit's & peices of the old structure - bedrooms spring to mind - as I am sure the new reg's would not allow that type of materail.
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Post by newwest on Mar 30, 2005 12:39:37 GMT -8
Hmmm You guys have got me thinking now. A couple of years ago, I contacted the (Town of) Sidney Chamber of Commerce, with a proposal that they buy the vessel from BCF & preserve the vessel with their namesake as a sort of floating museum, to BOTH BC Ferries & their town. I got the predictable response, stating the funds weren't available, yada,yada,yada - HOWEVER I think they we're referring to the initial buy price $500,000.00 if memory serves. How would you guys feel about DONATING her to the town of Sidney, once/if you guys ever made back your initial investment? - And I'm sure such a donation could make for quite a healthy tax/business write-off - If they could afford her upkeep & -or- interest some local investors to hop on board the museum idea, they just MIGHT go for it. I'd be happy to do the ground work to find out from the township if they'd be interested - ANYTHING to preserve the old girl with the DIGNITY she deserves! |
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Post by Balfour on Mar 30, 2005 12:41:04 GMT -8
It's a great idea!
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Post by Curtis on Mar 30, 2005 15:13:15 GMT -8
I agree
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Post by NMcKay on Mar 30, 2005 15:27:36 GMT -8
which paint job? original? Expo? Wave?
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Post by newwest on Mar 30, 2005 17:05:55 GMT -8
Well, if it was to be a museum to BC Ferries history, I would think it should be re-painted back to the original Pastel blue/white she was originally launched.  |
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