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Post by FerryDude2012 on Aug 12, 2010 21:30:23 GMT -8
BC Ferries changed it, because there wasn't enough demand to keep the 6:00am sailing every Monday-Thursday. But the traditional 8:00pm and 10:00pm sailings on Fridays and Sundays were kept this summer. My father was working on the Queen of New Westminster when she was #1 out of Tsawwassen for August 1st. He said people were often calling her a Spirit Class Vessel, people were constantly asking for the Buffet and Spas, and that the cafeteria was busy the entire sailing, always a line up, and that people were eating everywhere on the vessel with their trays of food. Interesting to see if it really affects the crew of the Coastal Celebration.
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 12, 2010 22:01:57 GMT -8
I have been taking advantage of the 10pm sailing from Tsawwassen the past two weekends. That sailing is never full! Actually last Sunday it was less busy than the Friday before when I did it. It's just neat to do a late night sailing every once in a while.
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Aug 12, 2010 22:21:30 GMT -8
I'm not surprised Karl, seeing that the 10:00pm sailing from Tsawwassen is the Coastal Celebration, where there is so much space, that all the passengers are spread out, and it makes it a very quiet sailing. Also, because the sailing before that is the 9pm SOVI, which usually takes all the night traffic over to Victoria.
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Post by glasseye on Aug 13, 2010 12:58:05 GMT -8
Judging by what I saw during my trip on Route 30 last week, they really need CI where it is for the additional overheight/large vehicle capacity during the summers. Agreed on the need for CI on rte 30. There have been quite a few days in this season when rte 30 overheight capacity has been >75% committed for the entire service day before the toll booths have even opened. Pulling capacity from 30 is a non-starter.
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Sept 3, 2010 23:26:17 GMT -8
Just a reminder for today that the Spirits are starting at 6am today on Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, and are the #2 ships. The only thing I noticed is that the Spirit of British Columbia does an extra sailing departing Tsawwassen at 6pm and departing Swartz Bay at 8pm. The SOVI doesn't make this round-trip. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaving Swartz Bay:
Spirit of Vancouver Island 6:00 AM Coastal Celebration 7:00 AM Spirit of British Columbia 8:00 AM Queen of New Westminster 9:00 AM Spirit of Vancouver Island 10:00 AM Coastal Celebration 11:00 AM Spirit of British Columbia 12:00 PM Queen of New Westminster 1:00 PM Spirit of Vancouver Island 2:00 PM Coastal Celebration 3:00 PM Spirit of British Columbia 4:00 PM Queen of New Westminster 5:00 PM Coastal Celebration 7:00 PM Spirit of British Columbia 8:00 PM Queen of New Westminster 9:00 PM ------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaving Tsawwassen: Spirit of British Columbia 6:00 AM Queen of New Westminster 7:00 AM Spirit of Vancouver Island 8:00 AM Coastal Celebration 9:00 AM Spirit of British Columbia 10:00 AM Queen of New Westminster 11:00 AM Spirit of Vancouver Island 12:00 PM Coastal Celebration 1:00 PM Spirit of British Columbia 2:00 PM Queen of New Westminster 3:00 PM Spirit of Vancouver Island 4:00 PM Coastal Celebration 5:00 PM Spirit of British Columbia 6:00 PM Queen of New Westminster 7:00 PM Coastal Celebration 9:00 PM
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 4, 2010 23:30:00 GMT -8
A blurry photo of the Queen of New Westminster making her awkward approach to Berth 2 tonight. Spirit of Vancouver Island is tied up for the night in Berth 1, since the Spirits were secondary vessels today. The New West came into Swartz Bay the same way she always does, through Gosse Pass, and made a wide turn into Berth 2. Was pretty fun to watch actually.
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Sept 4, 2010 23:37:26 GMT -8
I have no pics to back me up on this, but I have witnessed the Spirit of British Columbia go through Goose Pass, and make that awkward turn into Berth 2. This was because the SOVI broke down, and was tied up in Berth 1. It was pretty fun to watch, and hopefully get a chance to see that again.
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Post by johnnytindale on Sept 5, 2010 16:49:54 GMT -8
I always assumed it wasn't possible for the Spirits or Celebration to go through Gosse Pass due to it being too shallow? Yes, it would be extremely unusual to witness - maybe it was an extreme high tide?
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Post by novabus9228 on Sept 5, 2010 16:57:17 GMT -8
Hmm, I thought it would be easier to come in via Arbutus Rock and just Slide in into berth 2, Come in the same way they usually depart.
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Sept 5, 2010 17:18:31 GMT -8
My mistake. The SOBC did go through Arbutus Pass and just slided into Berth 2. It was even more unique how they didn't use the overhead walkway, rather walk from Berth 1 waiting room to Berth 2, go downstairs, head outside, and board the SOBC via the Main Car Deck. As for Goose Pass, it is impossible for the Spirits to go through there. My mistake. I'm not sure about the Coastals when it's high tide.
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Post by glasseye on Sept 5, 2010 19:11:53 GMT -8
The Coastals have a deeper draught than the Spirits according to both SIITech and the Transport Canada registry.
Live figures on SIITech show both Spirits reporting a draught of 5m while CR is reporting a draught of 5.6m and CI 5.3m. Transport Canada lists the Spirits with a depth of 6.4m and the Coastals with a depth of 8m.
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Sept 5, 2010 22:14:06 GMT -8
My mistake. The SOBC did go through Arbutus Pass and just slided into Berth 2. It was even more unique how they didn't use the overhead walkway, rather walk from Berth 1 waiting room to Berth 2, go downstairs, head outside, and board the SOBC via the Main Car Deck. I thought the Spirits could use the overhead walkway at berth 2?!
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Sept 5, 2010 23:38:56 GMT -8
My mistake. The SOBC did go through Arbutus Pass and just slided into Berth 2. It was even more unique how they didn't use the overhead walkway, rather walk from Berth 1 waiting room to Berth 2, go downstairs, head outside, and board the SOBC via the Main Car Deck. I thought the Spirits could use the overhead walkway at berth 2?! When the Spirit is docked stern-in, I don't think the Spirits are able to use the overhead walk-way in Berth 2. If so, then there must have been some issue with the walkway that day, because everybody was forced to walk to the Berth 2 waiting room, head downstairs, go outside and walk on via the MCD.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 6, 2010 8:34:25 GMT -8
I remember taking the SOBC's 9pm sailing about a year or so ago from Swartz Bay when she was having all those engine issues and that night the Vancouver was docked in berth 1 at the time and the SOBC had to use berth 2! I took the SOBC like 4 times that one weekend cause I was back and forth to Van and she ended up being late most of the sailings I was on. But we did use the overhead walkway at berth 2 so it has been used but I dont know if they had problems with it or not that night!
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Post by Scott on Sept 6, 2010 9:06:07 GMT -8
The Coastal Celebration used the overhead walkway at berth 2 on Saturday evening. I never got off, but it was used. We also departed taking the same route we arrived.. the eastern passage (not sure what it's called).
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 6, 2010 11:36:05 GMT -8
The Coastal Celebration always docks in berth 2 for all her sailings. I would like to see her use berth 1 though. I have seen quite a few ships in different berths at Swartz Bay. I have seen the Skeena use berth 1 at Swartz too and I think I remember taking the Cumberland once when she docked in berth 1 for some reason!
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Post by Mac Write on Sept 6, 2010 12:41:49 GMT -8
I've been on the 9:15 from Fullford and we docked at Berth 1.
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Post by Scott on Sept 7, 2010 18:39:04 GMT -8
The 7:00 departure from Swartz Bay on the Coastal Celebration on Saturday (after the Spirit of Vancouver Island tied up), was very full - at capacity. And for the first time ever, I felt crowded on a Coastal ferry. Couldn't find a seat on deck 5 or 6 on the final part of the trip when it was getting dark outside.
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 28, 2010 21:03:52 GMT -8
I note that the SoVI has been restored as #1 out of Swartz Bay over the Christmas - New Year period. Curiously, however, The Renaissance was not restored as #1 out of Departure Bay during this same period.
According to the BCF Travel Centre both Spirits are out most of the time from Jan 6th through mid February. During most of January the SoBC will provide the extra even hour sailings on Friday & Sunday, while based out of TSW. The SoVI will, I gather, be in refit at that time. She (the VI) returns on Sunday, Jan 30th to supplementary service out of SWB.
After that time it looks as if the SoBC goes in for its refit. For the next few weeks the CCel & QoNWM continue as the #1 ships. As of Sunday, Feb 13th (according the the Travel Centre), the SoVI resumes her #1 role out of SWB, and the CCel reverts to providing the extra Fri/Sun sailings.
The SoBC returns to service on Thursday March 17th, as the #1 vessel out of TSW. It appears that both Spirits will then continue as the #1 vessels into the summer of 2011.
For a few weeks in April, the Travel Centre indicates that the CRen will take over from the CCel as #2 out of SWB.
Operating with the QoNWM and the CCel over the ~ six week period in January/February represents a significant drop in capacity. As demand is lightest during this period of the year I assume that won't be a big issue.
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 28, 2010 21:24:06 GMT -8
I'm curious to find out why the Renaissance didn't get to sail over the holdidays at all so far. The Coquitlam was also used for supplemental service on Route 2.
Maybe...just maybe, the Renaissance is having her Sitka Coffee lounge converted to a buffet? Time will tell I suppose.
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Dec 30, 2010 21:36:33 GMT -8
Starting January 5, 2011, the Coastal Celebration will take over as #1 ship out of Swartz Bay. On January 6th, the Queen of New Westminster will take over as #1 ship out of Tsawwassen. On January 7 and 9, the SOVI will be #2 out of Swartz Bay, making the usual 12pm- 2pm- 4pm- 6pm sailings. Next weekend (Jan. 14 and 16) the SOVI will go into refit, and the SOBC will be #2 out of Tsawwassen and will be doing this schedule: Lv. Tsawwassen: 2pm Lv. Swartz Bay: 4pm Lv. Tsawwassen: 6pm Lv. Swartz Bay: 8pm
This will last until February 4th, where the SOVI returns and does the normal #2 ship sailings out of Swartz Bay, and the SOBC goes to refit. On February 13, the SOVI will become #1 ship out of Swartz Bay, and the CC will be demoted back to her #2 ship position. The New West will continue to be #1 out of Tsawwassen until the SOBC returns from refit on March 17th, and will become #1 out of Tsawwassen from that point on. On April Fools Day, the Coastal Renaissance will be #2 out of Swartz Bay. This will last for 3 weeks until the Good Friday long weekend. ALSO...the moment we've been waiting for, the Coastal Renaissance is scheduled to be #1 out of Tsawwassen starting on May 2nd, 2011. The SOBC will be #2 out of Tsawwassen, and do the usual 12pm- 2pm- 4pm- 6pm sailings based from Tsawwassen, as will the Coastal Celebration from Swartz Bay be #2. However, the Coastal Renaissance is only sticking around until May 18, 2011 and will return to be #1 ship out of Departure Bay the next day. From here, the usual vessel placements for the summer will take place.
- All info based on BC Ferries online travel centre
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 10, 2011 22:34:26 GMT -8
My apologies for the poor quality of the photo. But I'll post it for the sake of acknowledgement. The SOVI is now docked 'stern-to' in Berth 3 at Swartz Bay. I believe she is the one undergoing a mini refit at the moment. I didn't check to see if she was providing supplemental service yesterday (Sunday afternoon), but she was docked 'bow-to' on Saturday afternoon. This way makes much more sense to me, since she wouldn't have to switch berths to begin her supplemental runs. However, I have no idea if the Overhead walkway lines up anywhere that can accomodate the walkway.
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Post by Kahloke on Jan 10, 2011 22:38:46 GMT -8
My apologies for the poor quality of the photo. But I'll post it for the sake of acknowledgement. The SOVI is now docked 'stern-to' in Berth 3 at Swartz Bay. I believe she is the one undergoing a mini refit at the moment. I didn't check to see if she was providing supplemental service yesterday (Sunday afternoon), but she was docked 'bow-to' on Saturday afternoon. This way makes much more sense to me, since she wouldn't have to switch berths to begin her supplemental runs. However, I have no idea if the Overhead walkway lines up anywhere that can accomodate the walkway. Yep, SOVI was out running on Sunday. We saw her a number of times. Also, they had SOBC tied up at Berth 2 in Tsawwassen, so Nanaimo was using Berth 3. In a way, that was kind of cool, because we got to disembark on the new overhead walkway at Berth 3.
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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 Jan 10, 2011 23:06:48 GMT -8
No Nick says the berth 3 walkway dosent line up to anything which to me I think it pretty pointless in having it then, lol!
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Jan 17, 2011 21:33:08 GMT -8
It seems as if the Queen of New Westminster chose to use the Spirits inbound route between Portland Island and Moresby Island for her last trip back to Tsawwassen. She used her usual inbound route between Piers Island and Knapp Island. Does anybody know why she used the Spirits inbound route on her return trip?
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