MV GOVERNOR in service today!

[FNS]

I rarely look at the MV Times webcam these days. But this hour I did. I saw the GOVERNOR at the dock at Vineyard Haven. First time I've seen her in service there (I think I should have been watching this cam more often!). She departed at 1830 EDT I believe on a freight trip. Here are the captures.













Looks like they put a solid gate at each end.

Reminds me of the 1970s at Clinton!

[FNS]

And, just for fun, the MV ISLAND HOME arrives at 1855 EDT. Two Seattle designed ferries sighted there today!

[old_wsf_fan]

Just proves that you cannot keep a good ferry down!
I wonder if WSF got rid of her too quick. I know she was not a very popular vessel, but she would have worked very nicely this year at Port Townsend/Keystone.

Might she be modified to enclose her upper works slightly, maybe just around her passenger cabin? That might make her top heavy.

[EGfleet]

oldwsffan said:

Just proves that you cannot keep a good ferry down!
I wonder if WSF got rid of her too quick. I know she was not a very popular vessel, but she would have worked very nicely this year at Port Townsend/Keystone.

Might she be modified to enclose her upper works slightly, maybe just around her passenger cabin? That might make her top heavy.

According to several captians I've spoken to about that very idea, they all say the Kulshan/Governor would not have worked at Keystone as she would have scraped bottom in Keystone Harbor.

There's also the fact that she rolled like sick headache even in calm seas...

[FNS]

The MV GOVERNOR is in service today as well! My guess is that she's subbing for the MV GAY HEAD. GAY HEAD is a single-ender with a ship's bow and a stern for loading. Truckers have to back their rigs aboard that one. No need to do this right now aboard the still double-ended GOVERNOR.


1800 EDT ARRIVAL. Several trucks are aboard on this freight run!! ;D


1830 EDT DEPARTURE. Nice lighting effects on this cam from MV Times.

[Mill Bay]

That's a pretty decent picture quality with the webcam there... and it gives us quite a few nice details of the flavour of an east cost town.

I wonder if there are any really decent pictures of the Governor that we could use to compare and contrast with images of the Kulshan for those who are curious as to structural modifications that have been made to her.

[FNS]

millbay said:

That's a pretty decent picture quality with the webcam there... and it gives us quite a few nice details of the flavour of an east cost town.

I wonder if there are any really decent pictures of the Governor that we could use to compare and contrast with images of the Kulshan for those who are curious as to structural modifications that have been made to her.

I have done drawings of her in byte form for posting within my timeline of the Mukilteo-Clinton run.

ferriesbc.proboards20.com/index.cgi?board=nwf&action=display&thread=1178933482

I've extracted four images from my timeline and put these on this thread for you.


This is what the KULSHAN looked like when she started her career here on Puget Sound on the Mukilteo run.


Notice the change in the KULSHAN's lifesaving and rescue equipment during the mid or late 1970s. This is shown nearing the end of her life on Puget Sound. From Number One vessel to Third. After the CATHY and KITTY showed up at Mukilteo in 1982, she was sold to the US Coast Guard.


CHANGES TO THE KULSHAN
The KULSHAN went to New York as GOVERNOR for the US Coast Guard. In this above illustration, many changes were made as the USCG installed a new lounge at one side, added a counterbalance siding on the other side, replaced the lifesaving and navigation lighting system, replaced the solid bridge bulwark with steel tubular rails, et al.


MORE CHANGES TO THE KULSHAN (NOW GOVERNOR)
By the time this vessel reached Massachusetts, she had two more radars installed. The counterbalance siding was removed for one reason or another. More changes to her lifesaving equipment was done. I think she normally does freight trips these days on the Vineyard run for the Steamship Authority. The SSA kept most of the original USCG changes. The MV ISLAND HOME and the MV MARTHA'S VINEYARD (and sometimes MV NANTUCKET) do the passenger and car trips normally on the Woods Hole-Martha's Vineyard run.

[FNS]

evergreenfleet said:

oldwsffan said:

Just proves that you cannot keep a good ferry down!
I wonder if WSF got rid of her too quick. I know she was not a very popular vessel, but she would have worked very nicely this year at Port Townsend/Keystone.

Might she be modified to enclose her upper works slightly, maybe just around her passenger cabin? That might make her top heavy.

According to several captians I've spoken to about that very idea, they all say the Kulshan/Governor would not have worked at Keystone as she would have scraped bottom in Keystone Harbor.

She has an 11.5 foot draft. With a Saloon Deck installed overhead with a stack and wheelhouse on top, I guess she would have added a foot or so more draft.


MV Times webcam capture


Woods Hole Landfall Restaurant webcam capture

Wow! Lots of rigs aboard the MV GOVERNOR on her 1045 EDT freight trip back to Woods Hole this morning! And, they didn't have to back these aboard like they do on the MV GAY HEAD. Drive straight on, drive straight off. Simple as that!! ;D

[Mill Bay]

Found one Governor picture...

www.kirilloff.com/media/g_governor_profile.jpg

[Ferryman]

This has been interesting to read up on. I'll have to keep an eye out for this Ferry when I'm out there in two weeks!

[FNS]

oldwsffan said:

Just proves that you cannot keep a good ferry down!
I wonder if WSF got rid of her too quick. I know she was not a very popular vessel, but she would have worked very nicely this year at Port Townsend/Keystone.

Might she be modified to enclose her upper works slightly, maybe just around her passenger cabin? That might make her top heavy.

Here is what I did tonight. I did quick work in modifying this vessel with an upperworks!

I would use lightweight material and build this.

Firstly, her "island" would be retained (except for the original wheelhouses). New cross frames would span from side to side. The original lounges would serve as foyers for stairs going to the new Saloon Deck. An elevator would be installed ahead of the access casing of the Propeller Drive Motor Room at each end. MES stations are located at each side. I put large portholes, like what the CORONADO II, SAN DIEGO, and NORTH ISLAND had in showing you the details. Can be more enclosed.

The new Saloon Deck would have the elevator landing at each end with an adjacent ADA head. Able person heads would be built ahead of one of the stairs from the original "island". The other end would have a small galley. The uptake is in the middle, along with a cleaning gear locker at each side. A promenade circles the new passenger lounge with "pickle forks" at each end. A rescue boat station would be located at each side, just like the Steel-Electrics have.

The wheelhouses on the top deck would be built ahead of the elevator machinery room with a horseshoe passage around this leading to officers quarters. The crew quarters are below decks, as well as a crew lounge, a mate's office, Main Deck heads, and access to the Engine Room. The wheelhouses are not raised to keep a low profile (and not to create a top heavy appearance).

So, there you have it. Quick work in describing what "old_wsf_fan" may be thinking of the upperworks of this vessel.

[Shane]

ferrynutseattle said:

That kindof looks like a Steel Electric. Neat!

[EGfleet]

That'd be an awful lot of $$$ to put into a vessel that is 53 years old.

Incidentally, the CG has her draft listed at 12'7".
cgmix.uscg.mil/PSIX/VesselResults.aspx?VesselID=42928

Interesting idea though, an as always excellent work on the ferry graphic.

[Barnacle]

Interesting idea, indeed... shame the extra superstructure weight would sink her.

[Mill Bay]

I like the idea... it's plain to see even from a graphic representation that such a boat would be nothing short of beautiful to behold...

She would fit nicely into the Steel Electric class. The openings on the sides would be very distinctive.

If she already had problems with stability though, I agree the structure would not work well. It wouldn't likely sink her outright because her hull is obviously sound, but it would most definitely make her top heavy.

It would be interesting to submit the drawing to a marine design firm though and see if they could work it onto a hull of the correct proportions to make a stable and seaworthy ship with the same superstructure design.

At the very least, it would be interesting to maybe "imagineer" a model ship based on your drawing, and just flub the true dimensions and the stability issues.

Very inventive.

Thanks Ferry Nut.

[Kam]

evergreenfleet said:

That'd be an awful lot of $$$ to put into a vessel that is 53 years old.

Incidentally, the CG has her draft listed at 12'7".
cgmix.uscg.mil/PSIX/VesselResults.aspx?VesselID=42928

Interesting idea though, an as always excellent work on the ferry graphic.

That, and I’m sure you would have to add sponsons to compensate for a heavier superstructure.

[Mill Bay]

Whoops! Looks like the old Kulshan/Governor likes to wander off course... either that, or she has no patience for an upstart young ferry like Island Home to get in her way.

2 Ferries Collide; No Injuries Reported
Vessels Were Entering, Leaving Woods Hole

POSTED: 10:06 am EDT October 1, 2007
UPDATED: 12:04 pm EDT October 1, 2007


BOSTON -- Coast Guard officials said two ferries heading in and out of Woods Hole collided early Monday, but no one was hurt in the crash.

Authorities said the steamship Governor and the steamship Island Home, collided about 8:30 a.m. as the Governor, carrying only crew, was heading into port at Woods Hole and the Island Home was heading out, with passengers on board.

The Coast Guard said both vessels were moored at Woods Hole pending an investigation. They said ferry service was suspended temporarily.

In a written statement, the Steampship Authority said The Governor was having mechanical problems on its first morning trip from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard and the captain decided to return to Woods Hole. As the vessel was docking it hit the Island Home, which was berthed in an adjacent slip.

The Steamship Authority said there was only minor damage to both vessels.

The U.S. Coast Guard inspected the Island Home and cleared the vessel to resume service at 9:30 a.m. Service technicians and Steamship Authority personnel are currently onboard the Governor trying to find the cause of the mechanical problem.

At this time of year there are normally four ferries operating on the Woods Hole-Martha’s Vineyard route, the authority said. Three ferries are still operating and service is expected to be back to normal by Monday afternoon.

Copyright 2007 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved.

[FNS]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS!!!

Not a good way to start October off!

I think that the ISLAND HOME wanted a kiss. Two Seattleites (of the drafting table variety) kissing each other. Someone must have told the groom he can kiss the bride. The bride was the ISLAND HOME. The groom was the GOVERNOR.

Not supposed to create a lighter side of this. But, what the heck! ;D

[Mill Bay]

Well, it does say there was only minor damage to both vessels...

but are you sure that the Governor was designed in Seattle... what were they thinking with that design...?

[FNS]

millbay said:

Well, it does say there was only minor damage to both vessels...

but are you sure that the Governor was designed in Seattle... what were they thinking with that design...?

She was originally designed for San Diego services as MV CROWN CITY. This was just before or after the closing of Coronado's streetcar rail service. With that in mind, there were no more needs for new ferries having Saloon Decks. The upper foot passenger gangplank was retired. New buses began making direct trips to and from Coronado from San Diego. The new bridge ended ferry service there in 1969, and the CC came north to be the KULSHAN here on Puget Sound. In 1982, she went to New York as GOVERNOR and continues her work today out of Woods Hole, MA.

Her designer was Phil Spaulding, who (with McLaren) designed the first major ships of BCF. He did great work for AMH as well!

[Mill Bay]

ferrynutseattle said:

Her designer was Phil Spaulding, who (with McLaren) designed the first major ships of BCF. He did great work for AMH as well!

Yes, that's interesting... most unusual though...

She sure does not look like a Spaulding design... .

You can definitely see some familiarity in the original blue canoes built for Alaska.

I think I almost saw the Governor later today on the webcam after this apparent mishap, so she must not have taken any significant damage.

The Island Home has been back and forth all day though I've noticed.

[Mill Bay]

Latest news... the Governor was doing well enough to at least leave a dent!


There is also a small newsreel video about the accident on one the local channels, which gives a pretty decent view of the governor.

www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14241888/detail.html


Ferries collide; minor damage reported
By Patrick Cassidy
STAFF WRITER

October 02, 2007 6:00 AM

WOODS HOLE —
Two Steamship Authority ferries collided yesterday morning after one lost some steering due to a mechanical problem.

Because of the problem, the 242-foot long M/V Governor was returning to Woods Hole part of the way through its first daily trip to Martha's Vineyard, said Wayne Lamson, general manager of the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steampship Authority.

"In the process of docking and with limited maneuverability he collided with the Island Home that was in the slip," Lamson said.

The accident occurred at about 8 a.m., Lamson said.

There was only minor damage to the two ferries and no one was injured in the accident.

Members of the Coast Guard's local marine safety office inspected the 255-foot Island Home and cleared it to return to service, which it did a little over an hour after its regular departure time of 8:15 a.m.

"There was a dent in the hull above the waterline," Coast Guard Petty Officer Lauren Downs said of the Island Home, adding that the Governor was moving at about two knots at the time of the accident.

The Island Home is one of two new ships that joined the Steamship Authority's fleet this year.

The vessel seats 1,025 passengers and cost $33 million to build.

Coast Guard officials would examine the Governor again before it was returned to service, Downs said. He expected it would be up and running by last night, Lamson said.

At the time of the accident, the Governor was making a hazardous cargo run and did not have any passengers on board.

The diesel-electric powered vessel has been in operation since 1954, originally running from San Diego to Coronado, Calif.

The Steamship Authority acquired the ferry in 1998.

As part of standard practice after an accident, the Governor's crew was tested for drug and alcohol use. The results came back negative, Downs said.

Three of the four ferries that normally operate between Woods Hole and Martha's Vineyard at this time of year continued to make the crossing throughout the day, Lamson said.

www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/NEWS/710020322