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Post by SS Shasta on May 25, 2008 10:45:55 GMT -8
I travel the route frequently as a foot passenger. The vessel will not dock before 8AM as that is the time for the shore crew in Bellingham to be ready for docking. The speed of the vessel is adjusted during the night before the landing so that she will not arrive too early. Once in a while there will be a late arrival because of delays in the schedule up north. After docking, unloading begins immediately (no customs delays, etc.) It should be mentioned that this is a frustration sometimes for foot passengers. The ship arrives at 8AM and the ANTRAK train for Seattle and points south leaves at 8:45AM. The crosswalks across the tracks are blocked by the loading train so we usually miss it by about 5 minutes. Then it is a 2 or 3 hr. wait to take the bus  . |
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FNS
Voyager 
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
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Post by FNS on May 25, 2008 15:18:08 GMT -8
Thanks ferrynutseattle! I'm definitely looking forward to the trip. Once in Washington I hope to take the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor too. That's one of the reasons I was writing, so I could know which sailing to F.H. to plan on taking. When you say "quite awhile" or "relatively quickly", do you mean 1 hour, 3 hours, or even longer than that? And is there a way to request the main deck? We will be boarding in Juneau. Most of the ferries I've taken before are really small (mostly crossing the Mississippi River) so "relatively quickly" in that case is about 5 min! Thanks again! It may take about 15, 20, or so minutes to unload vehicles from the Main Deck. About the same as it takes for a well loaded BCF ferry to unload. After the Main Deck is cleared, the process of activating the elevators and the unloading the "attic" begins. Upon my observation in 1989, it took about a half hour to an hour to unload the vehicles from the "attic". Add a few seconds for the crew's inspection of your tickets upon debarkation in Bellingham. DO NOT START YOUR ENGINE UNTIL DIRECTED. Again, hold on to your tickets at all times! |
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Post by SS Shasta on May 27, 2008 16:15:03 GMT -8
www.sitnews.us/0508news/052708/052708_columbia.htmlAnother generator fire, this time near Wrangell, Alaska, has disabled AMHS MV Columbia on her first voyage north since her extensive 8 month overhaul. Those repairs were needed after she was damaged by a similar fire last summer.
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Post by SS Shasta on May 30, 2008 17:25:27 GMT -8
MV Columbia departed Ketchikan for Bellingham about four hours late on Wednesday night. She is scheduled to depart Bellingham for Southeast Alaska ports as scheduled on Friday evening. We shall see what happens next.............  . |
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Post by SS Shasta on Jun 28, 2008 6:13:01 GMT -8
MV Columbia will be replaced on the SE-Bellingham route for the period of 6 to 16 July by MV Kennicott. She is being taken out of service to repair damage caused by the recent generator fire. Work is scheduled at the yard in Ketchikan.
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Post by mapcat on Jul 4, 2008 9:45:17 GMT -8
Thanks again for the advice--we had a great sailing and were off the vessel by 8:30 (ours was the first car to leave the upper deck). The views were excellent and the USFS naturalist onboard was entertaining. The crew overall was top-notch.
To take care of the AMTRAK problem, they asked everyone who was planning on taking the train to walk off together, and someone escorted them to the platform. We saw the train pull in as we were driving away 20 min after they left, so people should have been able to board in time. But yeah, they could have put in a footbridge or something. If we had driven off 1 minute later, I think our car would have been stuck too.
Enjoyed a short trip on the M/V Elwha from Anacortes to Friday Harbor & back the same day.
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Post by SS Shasta on Jun 18, 2009 17:46:00 GMT -8
Guess it is annual "problem" time for MV Columbia. For the second week, minor mechanical issues has delayed her schedule. She serves the Bellingham/SE Alaska route during the summer season. On Wednesday evening she was about 3 1/2 hours late in departing Ketchikan on her southbound run to Bellingham. She has the speed capacity to make up this time (with luck) and hopefully will be back on time for her Friday evening departure northbound from Bellingham.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2009 1:14:43 GMT -8
Here are some photos of MV Columbia in Georgia Strait on June 26 2009. Photos are taken after 2100hrs, so the light was very low, and I needed to use ISO-3200 setting, resulting in the grainy photos. Ship-spotting any AMHS vessel in Georgia Strait is a difficult thing to do, and getting photographs is even tougher. The ship, now usually the Columbia, sails south towards Bellingham each Thursday night, early Friday morning. This latest time, she was at Campbell River at 10:00pm on Thursday and by 4:30am on Friday she was already near Tsawwassen. So not much of a chance for this mid-island-resident to glimpse Columbia as she travels south. Northward, the Columbia is scheduled to leave Bellingham at 1800hrs on Friday nights. This means that she passes Tsawwassen by say 8:00pm, and passes the Southbound Coastal Inspiration (BC Ferries route-30 8:15pm sailing) at around 9:00pm........when she leaves on schedule. 9:00pm in the middle of Georgia Strait is usually dark for the year, except for the time near the summer solstice, which I why I did this trip on the Coastal Inspiration on this recent Friday night. However, Columbia was 35 minutes late leaving Bellingham, which mean that it was almost 9:30pm by the time we passed her in the strait. So my well laid plans were hurt by the late Columbia and the fading light. But I still did my best to enjoy passing her, and to take some imperfect photographs. My travel-buddy Scott and I were both struck by how small she was, especially compared to the Celebrity Solstice cruiser that passed her. But even by herself, we realized that this was a very compact ship. ================= Here's a picture of her approaching. I'm on Deck-7 on the Coastal Inspiration; who's searchlight you see in the foreground. This picture give you an idea of the challenging light conditions affecting a distance picture.  Here she is, a bit closer, and some progressively closer shots: For me, the front-on look with the tallness of the passenger decks and bridge is her distinguishing feature. This angle shows that a bit..  Check out the fin on the back of the funnel.      She's now passed us, and she's soon to be passed by the Celebrity cruise ship. You can see the pink sky of recent sunset.    |
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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 Jun 27, 2009 8:23:20 GMT -8
I was on the 9pm SOVI last night and we saw the Columbia as we came in to Tsawwassen on the Nanaimo and we also saw the cruise ship that passed Tsawwassen too. I think and I am pretty sure it was the Infinity.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jun 27, 2009 10:39:57 GMT -8
A couple shots of the Columbia...   |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2009 11:14:50 GMT -8
Here's the charting done in our Voyager operations-centre by Paul. Charting:
The Columbia departed Bellingham Dock at approx. 1820:
She steamed into Bellingham Bay sailing towards the south
end of Lummi Island:
She then began her northwesterly course towards Canadian
waters off Tswwassen:
www.bchwys.ca/SA_200.gif
She was off East Point at Saturna Island at 2010.
Meanwhile at Duke Point, the Coastal Inspiration began her
cruise to Tsawwassen, departing at 2020:
She was offshore from Enterance Island at abou 20:40, by this
time the Columbia was offshore from Point Roberts approaching
Canadian waters.
The two vessels continued on their course with no deviation. The
Columbia was accompanied astern by the Celestial Celebration which had departed Seattle and had a Canadian pilot aboard. She was on her way to Ketchikan, Alaska and would disembark
the pilot near Prince Rupert.
The Queen of Coquitlam was also entering the waters, she was
steaming out towards Sand Heads, on her way to Horseshoe Bay.
She would be the first vessel that would be encountered.
At approximately 21:20, observation was made of the Columbia
being about 8 miles out from the port hand forward.
The observation would continue for several minutes to approximately 21:36.
At the closest point, the two vessels were about 1 to 1.5 miles
seperate from each other, closest encouter was at approximately
21:31.
The Celestial Celebration (not charted) was observed being between the Columbia and Coastal Celebration, but aft of the Columbia during the observation.
At approximately 22:29, the Columbia was offshore from
Departure Bay as the Coastal Inspiration arrived at Tsawwassen and would later prepare for the return trip to Duke Point.
Moderator edit: photo converted to link due to size |
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M/V LeConte
Chief Steward
~ I believe in Ferries! ~
Posts: 147
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Post by M/V LeConte on Jul 7, 2009 3:05:09 GMT -8
Finally was able to get a hold of one of the "Welcome Aboard" brochures. Here are the scans for those who are interested. I was just finally reading this. Seems like some of the info is a bit "outdated." They mention a 9 vessel fleet, and I think all of the contact info is no longer correct. Oh well... Enjoy! ~LeC |
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M/V LeConte
Chief Steward
~ I believe in Ferries! ~
Posts: 147
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Post by M/V LeConte on Jul 7, 2009 4:23:23 GMT -8
Here are a few shots of the Columbia arriving at Auke Bay (Juneau) Yesterday (06 July 2009). The first three are of her out in the bay... Here she is lining up for the dock approach... About to pass us... And finally coming alongside the West Berth. Cheers! ~LeC |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 7, 2009 4:59:18 GMT -8
Thanks, Mr. LeConte, for the Columbia scanned pamphlet:
Does anyone know the difference between the "upper deck" and the "cabin deck"? ie. Where is each of these decks located, in relation to the other decks?
The Upper-deck shows some forward-looking staterooms. I'm curious if their view is blocked by the bow railings, or if it's high enough to see over the bow?
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M/V LeConte
Chief Steward
~ I believe in Ferries! ~
Posts: 147
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Post by M/V LeConte on Jul 7, 2009 5:30:38 GMT -8
Thanks, Mr. LeConte, for the Columbia scanned pamphlet: Does anyone know the difference between the "upper deck" and the "cabin deck"? ie. Where is each of these decks located, in relation to the other decks? The Upper-deck shows some forward-looking staterooms. I'm curious if their view is blocked by the bow railings, or if it's high enough to see over the bow? The Upper Deck is above the Main Car Deck (it contains the "Upper" Car Deck). The Cabin Deck is located above this deck. With the steep pitch of the fore-deck, there isn't much to see beyond the machinery and railings. Plus the winches can be loud during those 1am dockings! |
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887 
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Post by Mill Bay on Jul 7, 2009 19:20:29 GMT -8
Compare that deck profile to, oh say, the Northern Expedition. Both ships have 4 (approx.) decks of passenger space. On the Columbia, the lower two are occupied by cabin space and a mezzanine car deck. On the NorEx, all the cabin space is on the upper decks, the reverse of the Columbia, with viewing lounges, cafeteria, etc on the lower decks. Notice how, with her arrangement, the Columbia is still able to have two deck levels of forward viewing (both of which i have heard are free to access). Compare that to the NorEx which also has two forward looking decks, but both of which seem to be devoted to executive spaces with one deck being the infamous reserved forward viewing lounge and the deck above having all forward viewing commandeered by two ultra-deluxe master's cabins. Of the two different philosophies of allocating space, which one better services the intent of the ship's existence? Well, what is primary function of the ships? To carry passengers, hopefully as many as possible, especially if they are money-heavy tourists. SO: if you are catering to your passengers, why does the ship's captain(s) have to have the best possible view. When he's not on the bridge, does he really even need the forward view that badly?  You'd think he'd rather try to pretend for a few hours he is not in a comparatively small cabin on a little ship very isolated from the outside world. You'd think he'd rather watch T.V. then stare out the portholes at the same inside passage he says every watch he stands on every voyage he makes. It's just too bad, that the philosophy surrounding the Norex couldn't have followed the same layout as Columbia, putting open public areas ahead of private, closed off executive areas so that everyone could have a fair chance to enjoy the same trip and scenery, to the same degree, without putting up any artificial barriers to that experience. But, of course, money makes all the decisions here, so we need as many cash registers as possible, of course.
On another thought, even though the Kennicott is newer and (theoretically) more modern and up to date than the Spooks, how come her builders still opted to give her a traditional wooden ship's wheel as opposed to the thoroughly modern steering yoke on the Spirit bridges. It's just something that's been puzzling me, since I was sort of starting to think ship's wheels had gone extinct or something. |
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Post by Barnacle on Jul 8, 2009 21:18:25 GMT -8
On another thought, even though the Kennicott is newer and (theoretically) more modern and up to date than the Spooks, how come her builders still opted to give her a traditional wooden ship's wheel as opposed to the thoroughly modern steering yoke on the Spirit bridges. It's just something that's been puzzling me, since I was sort of starting to think ship's wheels had gone extinct or something. Style? |
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Quatchi
Voyager
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Jul 14, 2009 21:35:07 GMT -8
I'm confused. I was sleeping on the sundeck on the Columbia in the Pictures that Le Conte took. I remember it being dark when we got to Juneau. In fact we arrived at Juneau at 1:30 am. Maybe by the time I woke up it was dark, cause I remember seeing the outline of M/V Fairweather in the darkness. I mas less than 100m form both the vessel and member LeConte and didn't realize it. Darn I wish my lazy behind had gotten out of the deck chair and looked around some more.
Cheers,
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Quatchi
Voyager
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Jul 15, 2009 7:13:46 GMT -8
Ok well me and LeConte figured it out. I wasn't on the ship in these pictures. I was thinking of the wrong dates. These were taken on the northbound trip to Skagway.
Cheers,
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 20, 2009 20:41:05 GMT -8
a few photos from Fred Gingell Park in Tsawwassen this evening May 15, 2009  |
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Post by Kahloke on Nov 22, 2009 16:56:59 GMT -8
Here are some more photos of other AMHS vessels we passed along the way...  M/V Columbia @ Ketchikan ship yard while under going generator repairs - 9 July 2008  Bow view of the Columbia. With the Queen of the North gone, the Columbia is without doubt the best looking ferry on our coast. Furthermore, not withstanding a somewhat troubled history, she is the the most pleasing of all the Spaulding designed ferries. A cropped version of this picture is what I am currently using for my 'sig pic'. All photos by JST © |
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Post by Kahloke on Nov 22, 2009 16:58:15 GMT -8
I'm slowly getting some recent ferry pictures posted. There's about 15 random pictures of the M/V Columbia at Bellingham here in my gallery. A couple of examples:   |
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Post by plansea on Dec 13, 2009 21:14:46 GMT -8
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Post by plansea on Dec 19, 2009 15:35:05 GMT -8
M/V Columbia Ketchikan terminal display items   |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 19, 2009 17:17:29 GMT -8
Here is the Queen of the North memorial belt-buckle, commissioned by the Prince Rupert local of the BCFMWU (the Union). It looks like it comes from the same manufacturer.  |
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