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Post by Nickfro on Feb 2, 2010 9:16:11 GMT -8
Went Downtown to renew my passport this morning, and ended up riding the Breeze in both directions. I must say overall I quite like the ship. My least favorite thing about it is the tone of the horn. . .too high of a note for my liking.
One observation I had is that, like the Coastals did in their early going, the Breeze sure takes its time pulling into dock, crawling for the last 3 minutes into port. Certainly they're still trying to get used to her, but when I came back to the North Shore on the 815am trip, all but 1 bus had left Lonsdale Quay before the Seabus passengers exited the terminal, as the BPB was a wee bit behind schedule.
On board I read the posting for the Seabus schedule from Feb 8 to Feb 28. . .
Start of service to 10am - 15 min frequency (2 boats)
10am to 1230am - 10 min frequency (3 boats)
1230am to 115am - 15 min frequency (2 boats)
115am - 215am - 30 min frequency (1 boat)
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Post by Balfour on Feb 2, 2010 12:33:11 GMT -8
I have been taking the BPB fairly regularly for getting to work downtown and I've found that sometimes it takes forever for the captain to dock her, and other times they come in quite smoothly.
I think this is due to different captains with different levels of experience. I find sometimes they take forever docking the Beaver and the Otter.
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Post by whalebreath on Feb 2, 2010 19:31:20 GMT -8
....I think this is due to different captains with different levels of experience. I find sometimes they take forever docking the Beaver and the Otter. It was ever thus, and I mean going back decades. |
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Feb 2, 2010 20:42:22 GMT -8
....I think this is due to different captains with different levels of experience. I find sometimes they take forever docking the Beaver and the Otter. It was ever thus, and I mean going back decades. I've been aboard the BEAVER and OTTER myself. I think their captains are being extra careful in not throwing the passengers to the deck. Can't really force all passengers to be seated for the landings on these buoyant public buses. I guess they are also keeping their minds on the crew lounges and to keep them from getting messed up by spilled coffee. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2010 17:19:25 GMT -8
I'm also rather appalled to hear that time could be short for either the Otter or Beaver. Why retire one? Why not keep one around for supplementary service at peak times? The Olympics can't be the only thing that will see tons of Seabus users move between Downtown and North-Van. Translink's current budget essentially only allows for maintenance of the status quo, which is two Sea Buses. Just "keeping a Sea Bus around" is a multi-million dollar a year proposal. If you think BCF is a money loser you should see the SeaBus stats! Currently the Sea Buses are operating nearly pass up free every day of the year. The addition of a third Sea Bus would have allowed "main" North Vancouver bus routes to switch to a 10 minute headway (229, 230, and 239 already is) which presumably would grow ridership, which in turn would justify the existence of the third Sea Bus. Immediately prior to TL's budget crunch technical assessments found that the Sea Buses would require a very pricey refit to keep them in service for an extended period of time. This in itself wasn't problematic until TL essentially "ran out of money," and is currently raising some taxes and tariffs just to maintain current service levels with no meaningful service improvements. When greener financial pastures appear I believe (and it is a somewhat educated belief) that two new Sea Buses will be among the top priorities. Somewhat related is TL's recent acquisition (or near acquisition, is a more appropriate label) of land to expand North Van's bus garage, which makes 10 minute headways more attainable for a few routes. Currently a lot of North Van's buses come from Burnaby, across the Iron Worker's Memorial bridge. Dane You apear to know a lot about the Seabus and Translink, do you work for them? |
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Post by lmtengs on Feb 3, 2010 18:01:30 GMT -8
Dane You apear to know a lot about the Seabus and Translink, do you work for them? I know I'm not Dane, but I'm gonna pipe in anyways  Most of the regulars here on the forum learn a lot from other posters, and research a fair bit into ferry-related topics. I don't know if Dane works with T-Link, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's just knowledge he learned from both his own personal experiences and help from everyone else posting here, then compiling it all into a list of facts, like the post you quoted up there ^^. This place can be a really great knowledge base, if you know how to ask your questions  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 27, 2010 18:53:45 GMT -8
Here's a picture of a seabus, from Autumn-2005. Photo taken by my colleague Leif.  |
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Post by lmtengs on Feb 28, 2010 21:53:49 GMT -8
Today I was on the Seabus (not the BPB, luckily, for reasons you will soon see...) going back Downtown after touring the Russian Tallship moored in North Van. As the seabus was nearing the Vancouver berth, probably about 10 meters away, an announcement blared from the bridge: Team Canada has scored a goal! It's now 2-nothing for Canada. So, everybody cheered. Meanwhile in the bridge, I guess everybody was focused on the hockey game, because we obviously weren't aligned with the berth properly. So, we got closer, and closer, still about 2 meters off to the port side of the entrance to the terminal. Finally, someone shouted something like 'hold on!' BANG. Luckily, we were going slow, and nobody was hurt. The seabus instantly kicked into hard reverse. A little bit of smoke arose from the engines, but I think it was just exhaust from the revv of the engines. We went back a few feet, realigned, and drove into the berth. I think that SOMEBODY was paying too much attention to the replay The ship obviously wasn't damaged, because the captain backed out quickly after everyone got off, and somebody inspected the damage. Within 2 minutes the seabus was loading and they left again. |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 28, 2010 22:02:28 GMT -8
Today I was on the Seabus (not the BPB, luckily, for reasons you will soon see...) going back Downtown after touring the Russian Tallship moored in North Van. As the seabus was nearing the Vancouver berth, probably about 10 meters away, an announcement blared from the bridge: Team Canada has scored a goal! It's now 2-nothing for Canada. So, everybody cheered. Meanwhile in the bridge, I guess everybody was focused on the hockey game, because we obviously weren't aligned with the berth properly. So, we got closer, and closer, still about 2 meters off to the port side of the entrance to the terminal. Finally, someone shouted something like 'hold on!' BANG. Luckily, we were going slow, and nobody was hurt. The seabus instantly kicked into hard reverse. A little bit of smoke arose from the engines, but I think it was just exhaust from the revv of the engines. We went back a few feet, realigned, and drove into the berth. I think that SOMEBODY was paying too much attention to the replay The ship obviously wasn't damaged, because the captain backed out quickly after everyone got off, and somebody inspected the damage. Within 2 minutes the seabus was loading and they left again. 'Olympic-Obsessed', who has the five rings and "Go Team Canada" under his name, is on a boat tour when the gold medal game between Canada and the U.S. is on? What's up with that? |
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Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
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Post by Quatchi on Mar 1, 2010 0:04:21 GMT -8
Today I was on the Seabus (not the BPB, luckily, for reasons you will soon see...) going back Downtown after touring the Russian Tallship moored in North Van. As the seabus was nearing the Vancouver berth, probably about 10 meters away, an announcement blared from the bridge: Team Canada has scored a goal! It's now 2-nothing for Canada. So, everybody cheered. Meanwhile in the bridge, I guess everybody was focused on the hockey game, because we obviously weren't aligned with the berth properly. So, we got closer, and closer, still about 2 meters off to the port side of the entrance to the terminal. Finally, someone shouted something like 'hold on!' BANG. Luckily, we were going slow, and nobody was hurt. The seabus instantly kicked into hard reverse. A little bit of smoke arose from the engines, but I think it was just exhaust from the revv of the engines. We went back a few feet, realigned, and drove into the berth. I think that SOMEBODY was paying too much attention to the replay The ship obviously wasn't damaged, because the captain backed out quickly after everyone got off, and somebody inspected the damage. Within 2 minutes the seabus was loading and they left again. 'Olympic-Obsessed', who has the five rings and "Go Team Canada" under his name, is on a boat tour when the gold medal game between Canada and the U.S. is on? What's up with that? Nice catch Neil. |
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Post by lmtengs on Mar 2, 2010 16:47:14 GMT -8
Today I was on the Seabus (not the BPB, luckily, for reasons you will soon see...) going back Downtown after touring the Russian Tallship moored in North Van. As the seabus was nearing the Vancouver berth, probably about 10 meters away, an announcement blared from the bridge: Team Canada has scored a goal! It's now 2-nothing for Canada. So, everybody cheered. Meanwhile in the bridge, I guess everybody was focused on the hockey game, because we obviously weren't aligned with the berth properly. So, we got closer, and closer, still about 2 meters off to the port side of the entrance to the terminal. Finally, someone shouted something like 'hold on!' BANG. Luckily, we were going slow, and nobody was hurt. The seabus instantly kicked into hard reverse. A little bit of smoke arose from the engines, but I think it was just exhaust from the revv of the engines. We went back a few feet, realigned, and drove into the berth. I think that SOMEBODY was paying too much attention to the replay The ship obviously wasn't damaged, because the captain backed out quickly after everyone got off, and somebody inspected the damage. Within 2 minutes the seabus was loading and they left again. 'Olympic-Obsessed', who has the five rings and "Go Team Canada" under his name, is on a boat tour when the gold medal game between Canada and the U.S. is on? What's up with that? It hadn't started yet ;D When it WAS on, I was on the 6th floor of the Hudson's Bay Co. Store in the furniture section cheering on team Canada with about 120 other people on the unsold sofas  During the overtime, I went down to Granville and partied it out until about 30 minutes after CANADA WON, when i got smashed into a tree by some crazy, flag-bearing man and hurt my back. Then I walked to The London Drugs in Woodwards (don't know where else there's a drug store) and bought myself some ibuprofen. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2010 19:24:51 GMT -8
'Olympic-Obsessed', who has the five rings and "Go Team Canada" under his name, is on a boat tour when the gold medal game between Canada and the U.S. is on? What's up with that? It hadn't started yet ;D When it WAS on, I was on the 6th floor of the Hudson's Bay Co. Store in the furniture section cheering on team Canada with about 120 other people on the unsold sofas During the overtime, I went down to Granville and partied it out until about 30 minutes after CANADA WON, when i got smashed into a tree by some crazy, flag-bearing man and hurt my back. Then I walked to The London Drugs in Woodwards (don't know where else there's a drug store) and bought myself some ibuprofen. Just wondering if "it hadn't started yet" how could the score be 2 - 0?  |
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 3, 2010 9:58:09 GMT -8
I actually like the Burrard Pacific Breeze! The one thing that is nicer about the new Seabus is she has nicer seats than the old ones. I dont really care about the windows that's not a big deal for me. I think Seabus could clean there windows more often as they seem to be dirty and is not that great for taking photos through. A few photos    I have been on the new one twice now and I think the new interior is pretty cool! |
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Post by lmtengs on Mar 3, 2010 16:14:28 GMT -8
It hadn't started yet ;D When it WAS on, I was on the 6th floor of the Hudson's Bay Co. Store in the furniture section cheering on team Canada with about 120 other people on the unsold sofas During the overtime, I went down to Granville and partied it out until about 30 minutes after CANADA WON, when i got smashed into a tree by some crazy, flag-bearing man and hurt my back. Then I walked to The London Drugs in Woodwards (don't know where else there's a drug store) and bought myself some ibuprofen. Just wondering if "it hadn't started yet" how could the score be 2 - 0? When I left for North Van the game hadn't started yet. I didn't know i'd be staying so long. Thought I was just getting the tour, then leaving, but instead I stayed to get a bunch of pictures and grab a snack in the Quay. By then the game had started. |
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Post by novabus9228 on May 1, 2010 14:32:41 GMT -8
Had my first ride on BPB yesturday while I made a rare full day trip to Vancouver. This ship is Nice it has my two thumbs up!  I was on the Burrard Beaver leaving Waterfront at 1:30pm and Got on the BPB at 2:30pm. I fell in love with it immediatly upon boarding, and the seats are a BIG Problem....I just feel so comfortable I do not want to disembark!  The new ship is so spacious and open compared to the Beaver and Otter. I agree that the Forward windows are too small, and dirty. Every Translink Bus, Skytrain or Seabus I was on yesturday especially the old Mark 1 Trains had its windows all scratched up or are dirty. Not too good if you wanted to take videos. The Queen of Oak Bay is High and Dry in the Drydock. Videos and pictures will be made public when I upload them |
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on May 3, 2010 7:51:52 GMT -8
Sea water does get onto the end windows occasionally, as I witnessed on my crossings aboard the BPB. When she comes up to a certain wake or wave, the water comes up and crashes onto the windows. Causes some oohing and ahhing by youth riders. Next time I come up and have time to ride SeaBus, I'll try and get a picture of this (if I'm aboard the BPB). That's why the end windows are dirty. Add to this the weather.
All of this make the cleaning of windows a bit difficult and there isn't enough dock time to do this.
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Post by Nickfro on May 3, 2010 15:44:45 GMT -8
Sea water does get onto the end windows occasionally, as I witnessed on my crossings aboard the BPB. When she comes up to a certain wake or wave, the water comes up and crashes onto the windows. Causes some oohing and ahhing by youth riders. Next time I come up and have time to ride SeaBus, I'll try and get a picture of this (if I'm aboard the BPB). That's why the end windows are dirty. Add to this the weather. All of this make the cleaning of windows a bit difficult and there isn't enough dock time to do this. This is especially so with the Burrard Pacific Breeze considering I've noticed it's the one pulling the 20 hour shift almost every day. Not much time left to clean the windows on the exterior. It's smaller ledge beneath the windows doesn't protect it from splash either, compared to the bigger ledge on the first generation boats. |
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 13, 2010 21:56:15 GMT -8
I'll use this for all my Seabus photos from today, because I'm strapped for time:  The otter, sitting stagnant at the Lonsdale maintenance facility. She hasn't seen passengers since the Olympics.  Picking up some water, the BPB sails to Lonsdale.  I'll post more, if i've got any more, tomorrow. |
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Aug 14, 2010 16:36:59 GMT -8
A question for those who are closely connected to SeaBus operations.
According to Siitech, the Seabuses sailing today are the Burrard Otter and the Burrard PB. Yesterday, the Seabuses were the Burrard Beaver and Burrard PB. Do the Burrard Beaver and Burrard Otter take turns in sailing? Meaning that every other day, the other SeaBus is being used, and the Burrard PB is used everyday?
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 14, 2010 17:09:01 GMT -8
It makes sense, Ferrydude. Since they're operating one day on, one day off, it increases their lifespan since their engine parts are only moving half as much as they used to. Maybe they're doing just to keep the Otter in working condition while they decide what to do with it. Personally, I think they should have a three-ship operation during weekends, and between the hours of 6:30am-8:30am and 3:30pm-7pm on weekdays, to keep up with commuter/rider loads.
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Aug 14, 2010 17:25:58 GMT -8
I do believe that at some point, Translink will retire one of the Seabuses, and give the other one a major refit to expand it's lifespan for at at least another 20 years. I'm not sure which one will retire, but I'm assuming the Seabus in the worse condition will be sold or scrapped, or abandoned.
During the Olympics, all 3 Seabuses were operating during daylight hours, and when night came, it was a 2 Seabus service till the end of the day.
I was actually travelling on the Seabus in both directions during the PM rush yesterday, and it wasn't that busy. I think sticking to 2 Seabuses during rush hour is enough for passenger demands, and it saves money, since Translink doesn't have to pay a 3rd crew to operate the 3rd Seabus.
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Post by Nickfro on Aug 14, 2010 17:29:38 GMT -8
They do not need 3 in operation under normal circumstances. Overloads are not common when 2 are in operation, unless there is a special event or something like that. Sure departures every 10 minutes is nice, but isn't a necessity. The otter, sitting stagnant at the Lonsdale maintenance facility. She hasn't seen passengers since the Olympics. Not true. In addition to running all 3 at once during firework evenings, the Otter has been running quite often. I have been on it a few times since February. As Ferry Dude mentioned, it's in operation today. |
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 14, 2010 17:32:15 GMT -8
I was actually travelling on the Seabus in both directions during the PM rush yesterday, and it wasn't that busy. I think sticking to 2 Seabuses during rush hour is enough for passenger demands, and it saves money, since Translink doesn't have to pay a 3rd crew to operate the 3rd Seabus. With CURRENT passenger demands, yes, two is fine most of the time. But I think it would be smarter for T-Link to keep all three then retire one then build a whole new ferry in ten years. They don't need to even keep the surplus one in operating condition. Just get it up out of the water and keep the engine lubricated until they decide it's time to add a third SeaBus. |
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Aug 14, 2010 20:40:03 GMT -8
I don't think Translink will build a new Seabus that quick. First of all, from 1977 till 2009, SeaBus was a 2 vessel operation. Nobody complained about the schedule and the lack of service, even during rush hour, the Burrard Beaver and Burrard Otter could handle the loads. If Translink decided to retire one, or sell one, it wouldn't be until AFTER the other SeaBus finished her major refit. If say the Burrard Beaver got the refit, the Burrard Otter could be sold, and the 10 minute service wouldn't be necessary, waiting every 15 minutes isn't a problem for customers. The Burrard PB and the Burrard Beaver would still manage, with the help of the North Shore and West Van buses. If Translink were thinking of building another SeaBus, it wouldn't be for another 20-30 years, because of the life expansion of the other existing Seabuses.
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 14, 2010 21:30:39 GMT -8
The otter, sitting stagnant at the Lonsdale maintenance facility. She hasn't seen passengers since the Olympics. Not true. In addition to running all 3 at once during firework evenings, the Otter has been running quite often. I have been on it a few times since February. As Ferry Dude mentioned, it's in operation today. I'm mistaken then.  Both times that I got photos of their surplus berths, the Otter was there, so I assumed that she had been dead since the Olly's, which was the last time that I had heard of them having three-boat service. |
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The new ship is so spacious and open compared to the Beaver and Otter. I agree that the Forward windows are too small, and dirty. Every Translink Bus, Skytrain or Seabus I was on yesturday especially the old Mark 1 Trains had its windows all scratched up or are dirty. Not too good if you wanted to take videos.
