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Post by Mike C on Jul 17, 2013 14:46:25 GMT -8
You might try asking Gabriola residents how silly it would be to have to make the long drive around and up into town, as opposed to the current direct connection. Ferries are supposed to be serving communities, not the other way around. Well, Gabriola resident footies have to take transit if they have shopping and business to do outside of Nanaimo's downtown core anyway, so I don't see how an additional 10-12 minute bus ride would make much difference. I realize the convenience of direct service to downtown, with Harbour Park mall right there, and all. Just sayin'. Here's the difference I think you're missing, PrincessofVan: Passengers traveling on Route 30 into Duke Point are generally not traveling into Nanaimo - these are people coming from communities such as Ladysmith, Parksville, Comox Valley, Campbell River and Port Hardy. Passengers traveling on Route 19 into Nanaimo Harbour are almost entirely going into Nanaimo to access provisions and services, most of which are available in the downtown core. I trust a small minority are traveling to areas outside of the core, if they are planning to do things in Nanaimo. A concept of Public Transit is that it performs best when it connects urban areas. In this case, I would say that Route 19, as with some other small island routes, act as part of the transit system, and not necessarily part of the highway system. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 17, 2013 17:35:24 GMT -8
princessofvanfan, I would agree with you for route 2. Since, we do not need two major terminals in the Nanaimo and it would save money in fuel and terminal crew because the boats would take off some minutes on route 2. Nanaimo harbour terminal, I would disagree with you because the reasons list above.
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Post by princessofvanfan on Jul 17, 2013 21:50:35 GMT -8
Well, routes 2 and 30 both should definately run out of Duke Point; the other three main terminals each handle departures for 3 different routes. I would re-locate Nanaimo's seaplane base from the busy harbour to the old Departure Bay terminal.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jul 18, 2013 11:33:52 GMT -8
Well, routes 2 and 30 both should definately run out of Duke Point; the other three main terminals each handle departures for 3 different routes. Clarify what you mean by "other three main terminals". Something doesn't add up. |
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Post by Mike C on Jul 18, 2013 12:10:11 GMT -8
I would re-locate Nanaimo's seaplane base from the busy harbour to the old Departure Bay terminal. Not a smart move. Part of the convenience of Seaplane travel is downtown-to-downtown connection (these are, after all, primarily commuter flights). Departure Bay is still a ways out from Nanaimo's core, and it doesn't make sense to move out of their downtown Nanaimo terminal. Although I don't fly into Nanaimo, I am a Harbour Air customer, and this would be a disappointing move. |
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Post by princessofvanfan on Jul 18, 2013 20:12:19 GMT -8
I would re-locate Nanaimo's seaplane base from the busy harbour to the old Departure Bay terminal. Not a smart move. Part of the convenience of Seaplane travel is downtown-to-downtown connection (these are, after all, primarily commuter flights). Departure Bay is still a ways out from Nanaimo's core, and it doesn't make sense to move out of their downtown Nanaimo terminal. Although I don't fly into Nanaimo, I am a Harbour Air customer, and this would be a disappointing move. Horseshoe Bay, Tsawwassen, and Swartz Bay are the three other terminals I was referring to. From a safety standpoint (not that it isn't safe), Departure Bay would make more sense than Nanaimo Harbour. I've flown in and out of Nanaimo Harbour many times, and although it is exhilirating to be sitting up front with the pilot watching him dodge kayaks and sailboats while landing, I've also watched the floatplanes operate into and out of Departure Bay while waiting at the terminal, and can't help but notice how much less marine traffic there is for them to deal with there. They land and take off using Departure Bay half the time anyway, and the taxi time through Newcastle Island Passage merely adds to the total trip time and burns more fuel. But, of course, convenience...convenience. That being said, it is fun coming in from the north east on the base leg, doing a hard left bank over Newcastle Island, and then final approach and landing to the south through the narrow channel into Nanaimo Harbour. Love it. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 16, 2013 17:12:09 GMT -8
Daytime / Nightime views of Duke Point. - June 2, 2013 on Queen of Alberni View towards Jack Point  ------------ I like the night-time look of the lit-up passenger walkways:   |
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Post by ferryrider2013 on Aug 19, 2013 18:43:45 GMT -8
ALL people who say Nanaimo Does Not need 3 Ferry Terminals need a REALITY Check.
First off, Departure Bay can Not handle all the Peak Traffic in the Summer for both routes (2 and 30). Sure Maybe in the Winter it can, But not during say the Canada Day Long Weekend When traffic was lined up all the into Downtown Nanaimo. Then you will get all of the residents of Brechin Hill raising heck because of the traffic.
Second: Move Route 2 terminus over to Duke Point. Can Do, However another REALITY Check! There is only one operational Berth at Duke Point. Duke Point will need a substantial upgrade and Construction. Berth 2 Will need to be completed and another berth constructed. Remember Summer Time, Need Tie up Space for the Coastal Inspiration, Coastal Renaissance and the Queen of Cowichan Plus overhead walkway access To these Berths.
Duke Point will need to be expanded to handle all of this. And this means buy Buy to Jack Point Park. Oh yes I can hear the Uproar now, the complaints from everyone in Nanaimo, and the environmentalist because their beloved Park is gone to make room for a bigger terminal, Because we "Don't" Need? 3 terminals in Nanaimo.
Oh, I almost forgot about the Little mv Quinsam, Where on earth will they ever find time in the schedual to fit her in at Duke Point with Up to 6 ships using this one terminal. She not going into Nanaimo Harbour will mean her crossing time will be only about 10 minutes not 20.
Also need to consider is the huge Cost associated with converting Duke Point and the fact that The RDN Transit does not serve Duke Point.
People please take all of the Facts into Consideration. 3 Terminals in Nanaimo especially in the Summer is needed.
Respectfully
Ferryrider 2013
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 19, 2013 20:17:01 GMT -8
ALL people who say Nanaimo Does Not need 3 Ferry Terminals need a REALITY Check. I propose an alternative viewpoint: - that some people who say that Nanaimo needs less than 3 ferry terminals may want to reconsider their position, based on a better understanding of the street traffic and land availability constraints. |
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Post by princessofvanfan on Aug 20, 2013 17:41:29 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 25, 2014 17:34:13 GMT -8
Duke Point terminal, seen from across Northumberland Channel, on Gabriola Island. - May 24, 2014  ------------- I have always liked this terminal. Why? A combination of factors such as that it was purpose-built into this configuration, and hasn't been continually expanded/modified/re-aligned like many of the other major terminals. I like the closeness to nature, with Jack Point and the cliffs of Gabriola. There is also the view of industry, with Harmac pulp mill, the wood mill, and the new pot farm in the neighbourhood. As a traveler, I've only spent short amounts of time there, arriving in time for my sailing; the terminal is 30 minutes from my home, so it is easy to time my arrival. For a sailing-wait on a hot summer day, I would hypothetically seek shade and quiet while I waited. I'm not sure if I'd find any. So my affection for Duke Point is likely unique to my situation and my ability to spend time doing "nothing" while not being bored. That's ok. |
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Post by DENelson83 on May 25, 2014 23:57:03 GMT -8
I shall be heading through Duke Point later in the week. Perhaps I will get some pictures while I'm there.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 27, 2014 8:25:59 GMT -8
Here is my video of the channel-view of Duke Point terminal.
This shows 2 different ships in the terminal, along with their arrivals and departures. I like the views of the traffic loading and unloading, especially where you can see the large trucks moving in the holding-compound lot.
From May 24, 2014.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 8, 2014 17:37:55 GMT -8
Some images of Duke Point terminal, from the evening of June 6, 2014. 7:30pm and the valet driven trailers are ready for the 8:15pm sailing.  The ferry approacheth   ----------------- 12:45am arrival  The lovey foliage at the point  |
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Post by Luke on Sept 5, 2016 14:19:55 GMT -8
A video that I have been meaning to post for a while. Here we have the Renaissance and Inspiration trading places at Duke Point, just prior to the 3:15 sailing on June 18, 2016.
Video sped-up 10X and 100X
The product of a full day dedicated to documenting a vessel swap that I wish they didn't do in the first place...
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 12, 2016 22:50:29 GMT -8
Duke Point at 10:19pm on Septembe 12, 2016, upon my arrival on Queen of Alberni.  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr I like this HDR effect. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 6, 2016 17:55:17 GMT -8
The upper deck ramp at Duke Point is reflected in the windows of the Coastal Inspiration's bridge, in this 5:15am photo from September 12, 2016: For me, a simple photo-in-the-dark, with a lot to digest.  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 31, 2017 19:23:45 GMT -8
Duke Point at 5:05am on August 31, 2017, while loading the Coastal Inspiration. - my best shot of the day, and it was my first.... (but the rest of the day was fun, as I did a four-ferry-day)  DSC06131 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by mybidness459 on Dec 27, 2017 14:18:17 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 10, 2021 20:47:34 GMT -8
Five years ago ... Duke Point Terminal with the Coastal Inspiration in dock & the Quinsam passing by en route to its downtown Nanaimo terminal. This photo was shot (using a tele lens) from the Queen of Cowichan sailing from Departure Bay to the mainland. 24 April 2016  © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 10, 2021 22:29:28 GMT -8
With vessels hanging out near Snake Island while another vessel is terminal this week due Queen of New Westminster being out service. Will BC Ferries ever built another berth at Duke Point? I personally think that BC Ferries should build another berth because they could better manage vessels at Duke Point and could potentially adding another vessel on route 30.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Feb 17, 2022 14:42:02 GMT -8
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Post by 1foot2ships on Feb 17, 2022 22:33:32 GMT -8
Duke Point will be closed on March 5, 2022 I heard this on the radio also. Thank goodness it was next next weekend and not this first long weekend after lockdown. Even though it's a Saturday and commercial traffic will be decreased, I still expect a lot of leisure travel and a lot of chaos at Departure Bay as a result of this. Will be interesting... |
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 18, 2022 17:01:37 GMT -8
Duke Point will be closed on March 5, 2022 I heard this on the radio also. Thank goodness it was next next weekend and not this first long weekend after lockdown. Even though it's a Saturday and commercial traffic will be decreased, I still expect a lot of leisure travel and a lot of chaos at Departure Bay as a result of this. Will be interesting... When route 30 came into existence Departure Bay handled all the traffic from it, and route 2, including heavy summer traffic. In more recent years they have also handled traffic from both routes. I think they can do it again for just one day without getting into chaos. |
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Post by Departure Bay on Mar 3, 2022 19:06:08 GMT -8
I heard this on the radio also. Thank goodness it was next next weekend and not this first long weekend after lockdown. Even though it's a Saturday and commercial traffic will be decreased, I still expect a lot of leisure travel and a lot of chaos at Departure Bay as a result of this. Will be interesting... When route 30 came into existence Departure Bay handled all the traffic from it, and route 2, including heavy summer traffic. In more recent years they have also handled traffic from both routes. I think they can do it again for just one day without getting into chaos. Can't wait for all the exciting extra traffic at Departure Bay!! |
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