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Post by lmtengs on May 29, 2012 19:34:51 GMT -8
I'm guessing it would fit the Burnaby or Queen of Nanaimo, though...? What makes you think they would be any different than a V-Class or QoNW? The issue isn't height (providing you aren't trying to serve another boat in berth 2) ... it's overall bow-stern placement of the ramp. So, what if they're docked bow-in? |
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Post by Ferryman on May 29, 2012 20:00:37 GMT -8
What makes you think they would be any different than a V-Class or QoNW? The issue isn't height (providing you aren't trying to serve another boat in berth 2) ... it's overall bow-stern placement of the ramp. So, what if they're docked bow-in? You seem to be missing the point of the discussion that has been happening on this thread lately. In most cases between Mainland and Island terminals, the overhead walkway had been setup to land just forward of the cafeteria of the V/B Class at the Island terminals. On the Mainland terminals, the Overhead walkway was setup to land just aft of the Foc'sle. In relation to the Bow or Stern, there's a huge difference in location for where the walkway would land if the ship were to land in the opposite direction at those terminals. There was never a way for the overhead walkway to be interchangeable between ends. Reason being was because if the V-Class were to suddenly dock stern to at Tsawwassen, the overhead would lineup somewhere in the middle of the cafeteria windows. Also, they likely couldn't use the sundeck for access, since there were likely Davits and Liferaft/Lifejacket boxes that would get in theway. That being said, Berth 3 Swartz Bay, post 2006 upgrades has become an oddball berth in terms of overhead walkway usage. None of the theories mentioned above workout for this berth. As noticed in the picture I posted on the previous page with the Queen of Vancouver in the berth, the walkway lined up close to where the lifeboats were. This is much further forward of where the walkway would normally lineup just forward of the cafeteria. If the ship were to dock 'bow to' at this berth, the walkway still lines up close to midship. Again, no provisioning was ever setup on any of the vessel for a mid ship access point. In conclusion, Berth 3 will either always be the layup berth for the Coastals/Spirits, or regular use berth for the Intermediate vessels. The only vessels it would be practical to provide overhead access to are the Cumberland/Capilano/Island Sky. Also just because I know someone will want to mention it, the Bowen Class will never have provisioning for the Overhead walkway as there are too many obstacles in the way. Just for the sake of seeing how it lines up for a B-Class in Berth 3, here's a picture that member Retro took a couple of years ago of the Queen of Nanaimo in Berth 3.  BCFS's Queen of Nanaimo by indyinsane, on Flickr |
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Post by WettCoast on May 29, 2012 20:46:28 GMT -8
It may well be that this walkway is intended to line up properly with route 1 vessels once this berth (#3) is rebuilt. It may be that they had plans to do that after berth 2 was redone. At some point it will have to get a major rebuild and will no doubt end up looking similar to berth 2.
Berth 3, I would think, is relatively easy to get in and out of for double enders, but not so much for the single enders.
In the past berth 3 did have a fully functional OH walkway, when it was numbered berth 2 (before the current berth 2 was built). It, and berth 1 were both fully functional and used by the four unlifted V-class vessels in routine service.
PS: Chris, if there was a ramp access point installed along the side of any of the route 1 vessels that could line up with the berth 3 apron, would it actually be long enough to reach the ship?
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Post by Ferryman on May 29, 2012 22:09:49 GMT -8
PS: Chris, if there was a ramp access point installed along the side of any of the route 1 vessels that could line up with the berth 3 apron, would it actually be long enough to reach the ship? Good question. Yes it would in fact reach, but only on one major condition. That would be for the ship to layup against the leads below the overhead walkway (ie: Berth 3/2 leads). My impression is that the apron wouldn't be able to reach the ship if it was leaning against the Berth 3/4 leads. BC Ferries prefers to have the apron reach the vessel no matter which side the ship is laying up against for obvious reasons, such as if in case the wind picks up suddenly and the ship swings to the other side (yes, I've seen this happen), or if the ship were to lose power and/or pull away from the dock suddenly. Another minor issue that would arise with leaning up against the Berth 3/2 leads, is that it's prefered for the ships to layup against the otherside, against the berth 3/4 leads, for the ship to have a straight line of sight towards the dock. In other words, if the ship lays up against the Berth 3/2 leads, the cars will have to turn slightly while they drive over on to the apron/ship. However, this is actually very minor, and wouldn't be a factor that would prevent a ship from using the overhead walkway. Would also like to point out, Jim: That was a great obersvation that one day Berth 3 could be rebuilt similarily to Berth 2 and would therefore match up with Berth 2 in terms of overhead walkway usage. I hadn't ever thought of it that way. |
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Post by chinook2 on May 31, 2012 9:25:47 GMT -8
it wouldn't have fit the Bs either--I was told by terminal staff the Burnaby had the standard stern ramp gate position, but on the upper passenger deck, to fit better with the overhead on Berth 1 and 2. Can anyone confirm this??
Berth 3 continued to be the main operational berth till berth one and two were double decked to accommodate the newly modified C Class.
And Queen of Sidney did use berth 4 (originally 3) as an operational berth when she was the summer supplemental boat--at least at beginning and end of her day.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 4:55:38 GMT -8
To anyone that has gone thru Swartz Bay lately - has the berth 4 construction been delaying day-to-day ferry operations?
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Post by Ferryman on Jul 6, 2012 21:59:23 GMT -8
To anyone that has gone thru Swartz Bay lately - has the berth 4 construction been delaying day-to-day ferry operations? It depends on the time of day usually. Right now it's actually OK, because the Celebration is in service for most of the day and isn't tied up in Berth 2. During the winter months when a Route 1 vessel is tied up in Swartz, there would be certain times of the day where the Skeena would be held up by the Queen of Cumberland and Mayne Queen, plus the impending arrival of a Route 1 vessel all at the same time. This would only usually mean about a 10 or 15 minute delay, which is fine with the Skeena since she has the flexibility in her schedule to make up time (scheduled half hour layover at Swartz every arrival). Another scenario that would mess the Skeena up is when the SOVI was tied up in Berth 3, and both Coastals were running as the #1 vessels on Route 1. The Skeena would often be sent over to Berth 1, and loading operations would be a pain with cross traffic (same departure times), and Route 1 would get the priority in loading traffic, and the Skeenas traffic would remain parked on the East side of the Lands End Cafe. So overall the berth 4 and 5 reconstruction hasn't really caused alot of issues to be honest. But that doesn't mean that it won't be appreciated when all of the Berths are operational again. |
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Post by Ferryman on Aug 24, 2012 21:24:16 GMT -8
Berth construction update: Berth 4 reconstruction is just wrapping up. The Skeena, Cumberland and Mayne have all tested out the new Berth 4 I believe. Just waiting on the landscaping and new waiting shelter to wrap up. As seen from the Skeena Queen in Berth 3 tonight  |
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 20, 2012 17:38:55 GMT -8
The Overhead walkway at Berth 2 in Swartz Bay is having some fairly substantial work being done to it. Here you can see the apron for the Berth 2 side is removed, and the roof has partially been removed. In the mean time, Coastal Celebration sails in and out of Berth 3. Skeena will sneak into Berth 2 sometimes though  |
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Sept 20, 2012 18:26:25 GMT -8
The Overhead walkway at Berth 2 in Swartz Bay is having some fairly substantial work being done to it. Here you can see the apron for the Berth 2 side is removed, and the roof has partially been removed. In the mean time, Coastal Celebration sails in and out of Berth 3. Skeena will sneak into Berth 2 sometimes though Interesting...any idea how long the work is going to take? Hopefully it'll be done by Thanksgiving considering the high volume of foot passengers that weekend and that the CC doesn't usually use berth 1. |
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 20, 2012 21:30:40 GMT -8
I'm not really too sure about how long the work is expected to take. All I know is that whatever it is they're doing is that it's still in the dismantling stage. The work just appears to be contained to that one area of the ramp though. Any parts that are removed seem to be getting refurbished right below the ramp, all along the floating platform that divides Berths 2 and 3. I'd expect it to be repaired by Thanksgiving though. Time will tell I guess.
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 21, 2012 15:54:56 GMT -8
A bit better picture of the work being done to the Berth 2 overhead walkway, as seen from Berth 3 this morning.  |
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 24, 2012 22:16:43 GMT -8
Another update on the overhead walkway in Berth 2 from today. The work is pretty much already wrapped up. A few more days and I think things will be back to normal. Until then, vessels will continue to leave Berth 2 empty until that work is 100% complete it seems.  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 13, 2012 20:15:17 GMT -8
A video clip look at berths 4 & 5 at Swartz Bay, and the waiting areas around them.
- November 10, 2012
I really like the grassy area with the low fence for ship watching.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 25, 2012 17:40:11 GMT -8
A few views of Swartz Bay from November 10, 2012. From the short-term parking area: - Lamposts everywhere. Good for safety, bad for photographers who are looking for a clear shot of the berths & approaches.  The new waiting area (photographer's lounge) between berths 4 & 5:  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2012 17:53:54 GMT -8
I have an off topic question, which I have been wondering for a long time. Who owns the berth that Seaspan use at Swartz Bay?
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 18, 2012 10:41:29 GMT -8
I have an off topic question, which I have been wondering for a long time. Who owns the berth that Seaspan use at Swartz Bay? It was built for Canadian Pacific's service to southern Vancouver Island in the 1970's (I think). CP's Carrier Princess used this berth since the beginning, and still does, though she is now part of Seaspan's fleet. I assume that the berth & adjacent property was owned by CP and is now owned by Seaspan. |
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 18, 2012 10:47:29 GMT -8
Swartz Bay - spring 2003 with Mayne Queen, Skeena Queen & Queen of Saanich - 12 May 2003. This was taken shortly after BC Ferries became a 'private' company with all shares held by the Province of British Columbia. As part of this a new branding was chosen to signify the break with the past. The dogwood house flag that had graced the fleet since 1960 was replaced by the new corporate 'wave' logo, aka 'the slugs'.
The Queen of Saanich, on the right, was retired about 5 years after this photo. It was scrapped in Mexico this year (2012). The other vessels shown here remain in service, though the Mayne Queen probably has less than 10 years left.  photo © WCK-JST by Wett Coast, on Flickr[/size] |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2012 19:27:19 GMT -8
Very nice photo, Jim. It appears they have painted the funnel blue, but the slugs hadn't yet attacked?
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Post by chinook2 on Dec 28, 2012 13:43:53 GMT -8
re Seaspan, the terminal predates the launch of Carrier Princess. MV Trailer Princess operated that service prior to 1973, but don't know when CPR began service at that terminal.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jan 22, 2013 21:02:33 GMT -8
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Mayne
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I come from a long line of sinners like me
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Post by Mayne on Jan 22, 2013 21:28:07 GMT -8
Nice shot Scott, but I must say I thought BC Ferries were in a bit of a financial problem. From just recently getting pricing on putting banners on all of my company's vans I know a banner like that are not cheep.
And to add to it I find it very comical that (knowing this falls in to my obsession with trucks) the dodge we are looking at has cheap Ford hub caps with the centers cut out of them.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jan 22, 2013 21:38:20 GMT -8
Nice shot Scott, but I must say I thought BC Ferries were in a bit of a financial problem. From just recently getting pricing on putting banners on all of my company's vans I know a banner like that are not cheep. And to add to it I find it very comical that (knowing this falls in to my obsession with trucks) the dodge we are looking at has cheap Ford hub caps with the centers cut out of them. Thank you, Mayne.
BC Ferries has actually had this van wrapped for a while. This van occasionally appears in community events and other festivities ever since the Spirit of Community float went up in flames below the Berth 2 walkway at Tsawwassen. |
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Mayne
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Post by Mayne on Jan 22, 2013 21:43:14 GMT -8
Nice shot Scott, but I must say I thought BC Ferries were in a bit of a financial problem. From just recently getting pricing on putting banners on all of my company's vans I know a banner like that are not cheep. And to add to it I find it very comical that (knowing this falls in to my obsession with trucks) the dodge we are looking at has cheap Ford hub caps with the centers cut out of them. Thank you, Mayne.
BC Ferries has actually had this van wrapped for a while. This van appears in community events and other festivities ever since the Spirit of Community float went up in flames below the Berth 2 walkway at Tsawwassen. That is interesting with all the time I have spent at both Tsawwassen and Swartz bay I have never seen this van. Thanks for the info Scott! |
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Post by hullnumbers on Feb 9, 2013 21:04:01 GMT -8
Question, when was Swartz Bays CP dock built? I recently looked at two old aerial pictures and found one had no dock and the other did? Curious cause I never noticed that till I discovered it.
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