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Post by WettCoast on Jan 29, 2012 10:46:40 GMT -8
Departure Bay Terminal with Queens of Oak Bay & Alberni @ berths 3 & 2 respectively - 22 December 2011.  photo © JST by Wett Coast, on Flickr This photo was taken a few days after an accident at the nearby Duke Point Terminal in which the Coastal Inspiration, on approach to the lone berth there, failed to adequately slow down and collided with the berth damaging both vessel & berth severely. This forced BC Ferry Services to re-route Duke Point traffic to Departure Bay, which has two fully functional double deck berths, plus a storage berth. The Duke Point accident will cost BCFS several $ million just on repairs alone to the damaged ship and the berth at that terminal, which is forecast to be out of service for more than three months. The damaged vessel was returned to service a full month after the accident. In this photo, the Q of Oak Bay, at the furthest berth (#3) is operating on route 2 to Horseshoe Bay, and the Q of Alberni, at the closer berth 2 is operating on route 30 to Tsawwassen. Route 30 vessels normally operate out of Duke Point Terminal. It is worthwhile to note that when route 30 was established in 1990, Departure Bay was its Vancouver Island terminal. This arrangement continued for most of the 1990's, until Duke Point Terminal went into operation in 1997. Operating two routes with five vessels out of Departure Bay is nothing new. On the other hand, Departure Bay has operated as a single route terminal for all of the past 15 years. |
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Post by DENelson83 on Feb 15, 2012 23:20:15 GMT -8
Duke Point was only constructed, I understand, because residents living around the Departure Bay Terminal didn't want all of that commercial vehicle traffic moving through their neighbourhood. Now that Duke Point is out of commission at the moment, that problem has simply returned.
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Post by lmtengs on Feb 16, 2012 0:16:19 GMT -8
Duke Point was only constructed, I understand, because residents living around the Departure Bay Terminal didn't want all of that commercial vehicle traffic moving through their neighbourhood. Now that Duke Point is out of commission at the moment, that problem has simply returned. Should I even bother getting started on this comment, guys...? |
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Post by DENelson83 on Feb 16, 2012 16:17:49 GMT -8
Should I even bother getting started on this comment, guys...? I wouldn't. He's wrong. Good. I'm glad.  |
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 16, 2012 21:12:24 GMT -8
I need to go back and read the documentation on the genesis of the Duke Point Terminal. My memory tells me, though, that one of the reasons for the new terminal was to reduce the amount of heavy commercial traffic in downtown Nanaimo. The new terminal was directly and efficiently connected to the Nanaimo 'by-pass' (aka Nanaimo Parkway) so as to reduce heavy truck traffic moving through the city centre.
The Wiki article on Duke Point says this:
I believe this is essentially true.
It has been noted before, however, that Nanaimo has three BCFS terminals. In these 'cash-strapped' times, is this really necessary?
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Post by Northern Exploration on Feb 17, 2012 7:54:24 GMT -8
Should I even bother getting started on this comment, guys...? I wouldn't. He's wrong. Would you like fries with that order of dismissive and brusque? |
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piglet
Chief Steward
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Post by piglet on Feb 17, 2012 8:53:02 GMT -8
If I can toss in my two cents worth as a professional driver? I would far rather come off a ferry at Duke then Departure Bay as the combo of heavy traffic like the out flow of cars from a ferry, combined with the road profile around Departure Bay would try my patience with 4 wheelers, trust me.
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Neil
Voyager 
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Post by Neil on Feb 17, 2012 11:15:36 GMT -8
An article by former Nanaimo city councillor Bill Holdom indicates that the switch to Departure Bay has been pretty popular with non-commercial travellers, at least. I'm not surprised. www.canada.com/Departure+ferry+service+working+well/6168646/story.htmlAside from dealing with the city traffic around Departure Bay, I think it's generally preferable for people heading up island. Duke Point is a fair ways south of Nanaimo. Food facilities there are terrible, especially when you consider the wait is two and a half hours- up to five on the worst days. There is decent transit at Tsawwassen, but none at Duke Point, and Departure Bay is right in Nanaimo, for those actually travelling to the city. I guess the Duke Point closure happened at a good time of the year, when the re-done Departure Bay terminal is mostly able to handle the increased traffic, and there probably won't be a huge amount of celebrating, at least not from BC Ferries' non-commercial customers, when it re-opens. I can certainly understand how Departure Bay residents will be happy, though. Residential neighborhoods shouldn't have to endure the amount of trucks they're getting, and at such early and late hours. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 17, 2012 11:46:02 GMT -8
Aside from dealing with the city traffic around Departure Bay, I think it's generally preferable for people heading up island. Duke Point is a fair ways south of Nanaimo. Food facilities there are terrible, especially when you consider the wait is two and a half hours- up to five on the worst days. There is decent transit at Tsawwassen, but none at Duke Point, and Departure Bay is right in Nanaimo, for those actually travelling to the city. The drive from Duke Point terminal to north Nanaimo (by Woodgrove mall) on Hwy 19 (the bypass highway) is approx 30 minutes. Maybe a few more minutes if it's afternoon rush-hour on the Nanaimo parkway in summer. The drive from Departure Bay terminal (as part of the large-group of ferry traffic, with delays at all the traffic lights on Brechin Hill and Hwy 19A) up to Woodgrove mall would also be close to 30 minutes....but a more frustrating stop-and-go 30 minutes. For people wanting to go to the north Island, I think that Duke Point is better for arrival traffic, because of the better highway that gets you moving north. |
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Post by DENelson83 on Feb 17, 2012 12:31:48 GMT -8
What the Duke Point Terminal really needs when it's open is a dedicated transit run to and from Nanaimo City Centre. Out of the five major terminals in the BC Ferries system, only Duke Point lacks transit service. If you want to be really visionary, perhaps commission a SeaBus service across Nanaimo Harbour to and from Duke Point.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,308
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Post by Neil on Feb 17, 2012 12:35:03 GMT -8
Aside from dealing with the city traffic around Departure Bay, I think it's generally preferable for people heading up island. Duke Point is a fair ways south of Nanaimo. Food facilities there are terrible, especially when you consider the wait is two and a half hours- up to five on the worst days. There is decent transit at Tsawwassen, but none at Duke Point, and Departure Bay is right in Nanaimo, for those actually travelling to the city. The drive from Duke Point terminal to north Nanaimo (by Woodgrove mall) on Hwy 19 (the bypass highway) is approx 30 minutes. Maybe a few more minutes if it's afternoon rush-hour on the Nanaimo parkway in summer. The drive from Departure Bay terminal (as part of the large-group of ferry traffic, with delays at all the traffic lights on Brechin Hill and Hwy 19A) up to Woodgrove mall would also be close to 30 minutes....but a more frustrating stop-and-go 30 minutes. For people wanting to go to the north Island, I think that Duke Point is better for arrival traffic, because of the better highway that gets you moving north. Granted, you know Nanaimo area traffic conditions much better than I do, but I prefer Departure Bay when heading north. I always have a sense that I'm going way out of my way with that big loop south around Nanaimo harbour when I go to or from Duke Point, and it saves little time on the trip to Buckley Bay, unless one is extraordinarily lucky with all the lights. Wouldn't taking Northfield to the new highway cut out a fair bit of the distance when landing at Departure Bay? I've never tried that. |
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Post by DENelson83 on Feb 17, 2012 12:37:57 GMT -8
Wouldn't taking Northfield to the new highway cut out a fair bit of the distance when landing at Departure Bay? I've never tried that. It certainly would. I use it all the time when travelling to and from Departure Bay. It just isn't signed as an access road to the terminal because the people living there would not care too much for the extra ferry traffic through their quaint little neighbourhood. I mean, the traffic on Brechin is enough. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 17, 2012 12:40:54 GMT -8
Wouldn't taking Northfield to the new highway cut out a fair bit of the distance when landing at Departure Bay? I've never tried that. Good idea on the Northfield shortcut. - but you'd have a long wait in backed-up traffic to turn left onto Northfield from Hwy19A, and then another wait at Bowen & Northfield. But it could save a bit of time. Lots of the timing depending on the luck of the lights.... |
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Post by lmtengs on Feb 17, 2012 17:11:37 GMT -8
Wouldn't taking Northfield to the new highway cut out a fair bit of the distance when landing at Departure Bay? I've never tried that. Good idea on the Northfield shortcut. - but you'd have a long wait in backed-up traffic to turn left onto Northfield from Hwy19A, and then another wait at Bowen & Northfield. But it could save a bit of time. Lots of the timing depending on the luck of the lights.... Shush, guys, the Northfield shortcut is supposed to be a little voyager secret! ;D |
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 17, 2012 17:46:59 GMT -8
I've known about that Northfield short cut to the parkway pretty much since the parkway first opened. Unless I am in a hurry though, I generally prefer the old route with its great views of all the big box stores ;D.
On a more serious note, from Parksville north, I do prefer the old scenic 'Oceanside Route' to the boring divided highway in the bush. That is unless I am in a rush.
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Post by lmtengs on Feb 17, 2012 18:19:46 GMT -8
I've known about that Northfield short cut to the parkway pretty much since the parkway first opened. Unless I am in a hurry though, I generally prefer the old route with its great views of all the big box stores ;D. On a more serious note, from Parksville north, I do prefer the old scenic 'Oceanside Route' to the boring divided highway in the bush. That is unless I am in a rush. When we drive North, it's about 50/50 for Oceanside versus Inland, and sometimes we'll switch from one to the other halfway up. Southbound, the inland route is the only route I've ever driven, due to the fact I'm usually trying to catch a certain ferry home later that day, and can't get stuck behind a slow-moving driver (Vancouver Island just so happens to have a lot of those). |
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Post by DENelson83 on Feb 27, 2012 22:37:48 GMT -8
3 pics showing dual-destination signage in place at Departure Bay, the likes of which haven't been seen since the mid-90's:  Looks like that little guy's doing split somersaults on that sign. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 3, 2012 20:23:57 GMT -8
Departure Bay ferry terminal, seen on March 3, 2012 from atop Sugarloaf Mountain. View to an empty terminal. Both the route-2 and route-30 ships had recently departed.  Close-up of an empty terminal at Departure Bay  |
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Mar 3, 2012 22:12:32 GMT -8
Departure Bay ferry terminal, seen on March 3, 2012 from atop Sugarloaf Mountain. View to an empty terminal. Both the route-1 and route-30 ships had recently departed. [ I did not know that Departure Bay was hosting route-1 as well. What happened to Swartz Bay?  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 21, 2012 19:10:31 GMT -8
A couple things about Departure Bay, that this photo shows 1) The passenger walkway meets the ship just forward of the cafeteria. It's further from the stern than the bow gangway is from the bow, and that's all because of the space that the 7-Sister cafeterias take up. 2) The metal float off of berth-1 is used to tie the bow of long ships in berth-1.  |
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Post by chinook2 on Apr 24, 2012 20:03:47 GMT -8
A couple things about Departure Bay, that this photo shows 1) The passenger walkway meets the ship just forward of the cafeteria. It's further from the stern than the bow gangway is from the bow, and that's all because of the space that the 7-Sister cafeterias take up. Swartz Bay was first by many years to have separate passenger walkways (early 1960s). Cafeterias didn't dictate position of the ramps, they didn't exist yet, the position appears to be dictated by the location of the aft doors to the outer deck. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 21, 2012 12:09:45 GMT -8
Departure Bay, seen from the Coastal Renaissance as she departs berth-2. - July 8, 2012, 6:20am sailing   |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 7, 2012 19:15:08 GMT -8
Departure Bay views from Sugarloaf Mountain, on a warm summer evening. - August 5, 2012.   |
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 11, 2012 8:46:15 GMT -8
Departure Bay on a September evening as seen from the Queen of Oak Bay, who is just powering up to speed. September 5th  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 21, 2012 18:29:06 GMT -8
Collage of a few videos of Departure Bay terminal, seen by me from Sugarloaf Mountain.
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