Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,171
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Post by Neil on Mar 12, 2015 17:45:44 GMT -8
The 8:35 am sailing on Saturday just goes to Mayne and Galiano, then back to Tsawwassen. On all of the morning sailings to Long Harbour, there's too much of a layover to stay on board (at least ninety minutes).
There are more opportunities if you wait until summer. I took the Bowen Queen to Long Harbour and back one afternoon, but I don't recall it making any other stops. I didn't purchase my return fare on board, and almost didn't make it back. The ferry was late, and because of BC Ferries' stupid policy of not selling tickets within ten minutes or so of the scheduled departure, the cashier at Long Harbour wasn't sure if her computer would let her sell me one- even though the Bowen' was just still unloading. So, definitely, buy your return fare on board, just in case.
In my experience, you have to disembark at Long Harbour, as the crew change occurs there, and no passengers are allowed to remain onboard. But the Bowen Queen, of course, is based in Tsawwassen. No crew change at Long Harbour on those summer sailings.
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Post by Starsteward on Mar 13, 2015 5:59:27 GMT -8
The 8:35 am sailing on Saturday just goes to Mayne and Galiano, then back to Tsawwassen. On all of the morning sailings to Long Harbour, there's too much of a layover to stay on board (at least ninety minutes).
There are more opportunities if you wait until summer. I took the Bowen Queen to Long Harbour and back one afternoon, but I don't recall it making any other stops. I didn't purchase my return fare on board, and almost didn't make it back. The ferry was late, and because of BC Ferries' stupid policy of not selling tickets within ten minutes or so of the scheduled departure, the cashier at Long Harbour wasn't sure if her computer would let her sell me one- even though the Bowen' was just still unloading. So, definitely, buy your return fare on board, just in case.
In my experience, you have to disembark at Long Harbour, as the crew change occurs there, and no passengers are allowed to remain onboard. Thanks to 'Neil' and 'Mike' for the do's and don'ts of a Southern Gulf Islands Day Cruise. I really want to take a trip on the Queen of Nanaimo before she gets broken up and recycled into new Hondas or whatever. 'Neil' outlines exactly what my concerns are about ticketing etc. as trying to make sense of what to do, as per the website is none too clear. Perhaps one might consider taking along a pup-tent and sleeping bag, lest one get 'stranded' along the way. Appreciate the help guys.
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Post by hullnumbers on Apr 4, 2015 22:52:43 GMT -8
Does anyone here know when Fulford Harbour was rebuilt to what it is now? I mean the vehicle parking compound for waiting for the ferry was once a road and dock then it was filled in and became what it is now?
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 10, 2015 13:06:36 GMT -8
Village Bay, Mayne Island, with the Queen of Cumberland approaching the dock - 10 June 2015. This view is from the departing Q Nanaimo. © WCK-JST by JST, on Flickr
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Post by gulfislandkayaker on Jun 10, 2015 21:58:05 GMT -8
I was on that Queen of Nanaimo sailing today. Saw a few folks snapping photos, one of which was probably Wett Coast...gorgeous day for a ferry ride.
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Post by Starsteward on Jun 11, 2015 7:04:10 GMT -8
I was on that Queen of Nanaimo sailing today. Saw a few folks snapping photos, one of which was probably Wett Coast...gorgeous day for a ferry ride. Great shot of Village Bay there 'gulfislandkayaker'. Did you do a round trip from Tsawwassen and back on the 'Nanny'? Must do a trip or two before the 'Nanny' is recycled into Hondas or razor blades.
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Post by gulfislandkayaker on Jun 12, 2015 5:47:41 GMT -8
I was on that Queen of Nanaimo sailing today. Saw a few folks snapping photos, one of which was probably Wett Coast...gorgeous day for a ferry ride. Great shot of Village Bay there 'gulfislandkayaker'. Did you do a round trip from Tsawwassen and back on the 'Nanny'? Must do a trip or two before the 'Nanny' is recycled into Hondas or razor blades. I actually have property on Pender...and members of my family have had land there since the early 1900's. So let's just say that I have been on the Tsawwassen-S. Gulf Island run more than most. I have fond memories of all the ferries on that run...both the good (Queen of Tsawwassen and Sidney) and the bad (Queen of the Islands).
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elwha
Oiler (New Member)
I'm always merry when I'm near a ferry!
Posts: 33
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Post by elwha on Jun 12, 2015 18:32:25 GMT -8
On the road down to the marina in Montague there is actually still a ferry sign!
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 13, 2015 13:57:15 GMT -8
...both the good (Queen of Tsawwassen and Sidney) and the bad (Queen of the Islands). I am curious as to why you say 'bad' Queen of the Islands... Please explain...
Long Harbour Terminal, Salt Spring Island, as seen through the rear car deck door of the Queen of Nanaimo - 10 June 2015. © WCK-JST by JST, on Flickr
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elwha
Oiler (New Member)
I'm always merry when I'm near a ferry!
Posts: 33
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Post by elwha on Jun 14, 2015 11:12:07 GMT -8
I was trying to make sense of the Southern Gulf Islands schedule (and was failing) but for the more experienced...how does interisland work? other than the Pender-Mayne-Galiano triangle (and some sailings to Saturna) how do you get to Saltspring? The nanny or bowen queen seem to do some interisland work...but is there any official ferry that does interisland only (i think not) like there is in the San Juans?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 14, 2015 12:17:59 GMT -8
I was trying to make sense of the Southern Gulf Islands schedule (and was failing) but for the more experienced...how does interisland work? other than the Pender-Mayne-Galiano triangle (and some sailings to Saturna) how do you get to Saltspring? The nanny or bowen queen seem to do some interisland work...but is there any official ferry that does interisland only (i think not) like there is in the San Juans? There is no inter-island ferry. The schedule is geared towards either Swartz-to-small-island, or Tsawwassen-to-small-island. There is a grassroots movement on some of the islands to try to return to the old days of easier travel between the islands. In older days, there was more inter-island commerce and community, but the ferry schedule doesn't allow for that easy travel now.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,171
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Post by Neil on Jun 14, 2015 20:40:46 GMT -8
I was trying to make sense of the Southern Gulf Islands schedule (and was failing) but for the more experienced...how does interisland work? other than the Pender-Mayne-Galiano triangle (and some sailings to Saturna) how do you get to Saltspring? The nanny or bowen queen seem to do some interisland work...but is there any official ferry that does interisland only (i think not) like there is in the San Juans? There is no inter-island ferry. The schedule is geared towards either Swartz-to-small-island, or Tsawwassen-to-small-island. There is a grassroots movement on some of the islands to try to return to the old days of easier travel between the islands. In older days, there was more inter-island commerce and community, but the ferry schedule doesn't allow for that easy travel now. I don't think that Ganges, on Saltspring, is quite the hub that Friday Harbor is. There is a water taxi that brings secondary school students over from the other islands. Ease of connection with BC Ferries varies from day to day... but one can always connect more awkwardly, through Swartz Bay.
Back in the 1890s, the local San Juan newspaper often mentioned my grandfather travelling from Orcas to Friday Harbor on business. I guess Friday Harbor has always been the county seat, and something of a draw for people on Lopez, Shaw, and Orcas. As Mr Horn mentions, there is a sentiment toward establishing a passenger service linking the Gulf Islands, but given the history of such services in BC, I would bet against it actually happening.
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Post by Scott on Jun 14, 2015 21:41:38 GMT -8
I was trying to make sense of the Southern Gulf Islands schedule (and was failing) but for the more experienced...how does interisland work? other than the Pender-Mayne-Galiano triangle (and some sailings to Saturna) how do you get to Saltspring? The nanny or bowen queen seem to do some interisland work...but is there any official ferry that does interisland only (i think not) like there is in the San Juans?
No dedicated ferry for interisland ferries, unless Vancouver Island is considered an island!
The QUEEN OF NANAIMO connects Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saltspring (Long Harbour). In the summer, the BOWEN QUEEN also helps out on this route.
The QUEEN OF CUMBERLAND and MAYNE QUEEN connect Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saturna to Swartz Bay.
Usually the above ferries do "island-hop" along the route so you can jump on and off between islands, but it's not always very convenient. The BC Ferries schedule is pretty good at helping figure out the times to connect between two islands, but they don't tell you which ferry it will be - it could be any of the above.
The SKEENA QUEEN has her own route between Swartz Bay and Saltspring Island (Fulford Harbour). - John H
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elwha
Oiler (New Member)
I'm always merry when I'm near a ferry!
Posts: 33
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Post by elwha on Jun 16, 2015 12:37:19 GMT -8
I was trying to make sense of the Southern Gulf Islands schedule (and was failing) but for the more experienced...how does interisland work? other than the Pender-Mayne-Galiano triangle (and some sailings to Saturna) how do you get to Saltspring? The nanny or bowen queen seem to do some interisland work...but is there any official ferry that does interisland only (i think not) like there is in the San Juans?
No dedicated ferry for interisland ferries, unless Vancouver Island is considered an island!
The QUEEN OF NANAIMO connects Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saltspring (Long Harbour). In the summer, the BOWEN QUEEN also helps out on this route.
The QUEEN OF CUMBERLAND and MAYNE QUEEN connect Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saturna to Swartz Bay.
Usually the above ferries do "island-hop" along the route so you can jump on and off between islands, but it's not always very convenient. The BC Ferries schedule is pretty good at helping figure out the times to connect between two islands, but they don't tell you which ferry it will be - it could be any of the above.
The SKEENA QUEEN has her own route between Swartz Bay and Saltspring Island (Fulford Harbour).
Yes, but it seems unusual/inconvenient that they don't have a more frequent connection between Pender, Mayne, Saturna, Galiano and Saltspring. Saltspring seems to be a major island and I find it hard to believe that there hasn't been a convenient all-day connection. Maybe traffic through Swartz Bay? The San Juans just seem more organized in scheduling and services.
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Post by Scott on Jun 16, 2015 21:35:04 GMT -8
I'm sure there are other factors involved, but the San Juan Islands seem to be more self-dependent as a group while the BC Southern Gulf Islands as a group are a bit closer in proximity to the Victoria/Sidney area and therefore traffic gravitates that way instead of between islands.
Also, like Neil said, Ganges isn't quite Friday Harbour. The Gulf Islands "Friday Harbour" is Sidney/Saanich/Victoria. - John H
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 14, 2015 10:49:29 GMT -8
Approaching Lyall Harbour at Saturna Island. - seen from Queen of Cumberland on July 8, 2015 I like the side-trip up/down Navy Channel, which I always find relaxing and beautiful. DSC09513post by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 15, 2015 5:49:42 GMT -8
Does anyone, including BC Ferries have ANY idea of what volume of vehicle or passenger traffic there might be for purely inter-island traffic? Surely there is some percentage of Gulf Islanders who either require or could build upon some sort of reliable service between the various islands. The premise that ALL traffic to the various terminals in the Gulf Islands comes from either Tsawwassen or Swartz Bay is questionable. If BC Ferries wasn't interested in providing a regular inter-island service, would they consider letting a private company take on that role? Dare I add, that 'maybe' BC Ferries would let that private operator use BC Ferries docks? Doubtful I would suspect?
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Post by Mike C on Jul 15, 2015 6:48:02 GMT -8
Does anyone, including BC Ferries have ANY idea of what volume of vehicle or passenger traffic there might be for purely inter-island traffic? Surely there is some percentage of Gulf Islanders who either require or could build upon some sort of reliable service between the various islands. The premise that ALL traffic to the various terminals in the Gulf Islands comes from either Tsawwassen or Swartz Bay is questionable. If BC Ferries wasn't interested in providing a regular inter-island service, would they consider letting a private company take on that role? Dare I add, that 'maybe' BC Ferries would let that private operator use BC Ferries docks? Doubtful I would suspect? Regarding ridership statistics for inter-island service: the best any one of us can do is look at the stats for routes 5 and 9. I am sure BC Ferries would have that information, although it would probably take an FOI request to get them to shell it out - unless someone here has that info... Regarding a private operator: embedded in to the Coastal Ferries Act is the ability to contract out services, specifically minor routes, to private operators. Unfortunately (much to the disdain of our provincial government) public transportation is not profitable, and I can assure that an inter-island service for a vehicle ferry is no exception to this. If it were feasible, and a private operator were interested, BC Ferries would be required to evaluate this through a tendering process. In that instance, I believe use of BC Ferries' terminal assets would be OK. It's worth noting that there are a lot of smaller operators that do water taxi services between the islands for foot traffic.
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 15, 2015 8:02:10 GMT -8
Does anyone, including BC Ferries have ANY idea of what volume of vehicle or passenger traffic there might be for purely inter-island traffic? Surely there is some percentage of Gulf Islanders who either require or could build upon some sort of reliable service between the various islands. The premise that ALL traffic to the various terminals in the Gulf Islands comes from either Tsawwassen or Swartz Bay is questionable. If BC Ferries wasn't interested in providing a regular inter-island service, would they consider letting a private company take on that role? Dare I add, that 'maybe' BC Ferries would let that private operator use BC Ferries docks? Doubtful I would suspect? Regarding ridership statistics for inter-island service: the best any one of us can do is look at the stats for routes 5 and 9. I am sure BC Ferries would have that information, although it would probably take an FOI request to get them to shell it out - unless someone here has that info... Regarding a private operator: embedded in to the Coastal Ferries Act is the ability to contract out services, specifically minor routes, to private operators. Unfortunately (much to the disdain of our provincial government) public transportation is not profitable, and I can assure that an inter-island service for a vehicle ferry is no exception to this. If it were feasible, and a private operator were interested, BC Ferries would be required to evaluate this through a tendering process. In that instance, I believe use of BC Ferries' terminal assets would be OK. It's worth noting that there are a lot of smaller operators that do water taxi services between the islands for foot traffic. Thanks for the insightful information re: my thoughts on inter-island ferry service. In terms of the Coastal Ferry Act, the fact that BC Ferries is 'required' to evaluate any interest from a private operator, especially on areas/routes which could be considered 'minor' in nature, exudes 'protectionism' or a dog in the manger scenario at best. There are more than a few quirks in the Coastal Ferry Act, which in my opinion could use a grand overhaul. The CFA seems to saddle BC Ferries with policies/procedures that create needless requirements. I understand the essence of the CFA, I think) is to ensure that coastal communities receive some measure of service from BCF, but this Act should not be an impediment to free enterprise providing coastal services either.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 15, 2015 19:56:45 GMT -8
On my way to Salt Spring Island for a Mt. Maxwell photoshoot, I was aiming for a specific mid-afternoon sailing, but I gave myself extra travel time in case there was an overload...so I wanted to be there early. It turns out that I arrived at Crofton just as the previous sailing was cut-off and readied for departure. I was happy, because I would be #1 on the jetty, on a lovely July afternoon. Here is what it looks like to either be the first car to miss a sailing, or the first car to arrive early for the next sailing. crofton terminal by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 15, 2015 22:01:28 GMT -8
The Skeena Queen heading toward Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island - 30 September 2015 © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 24, 2015 8:02:38 GMT -8
BC Ferries is starting to publicize the timeline for the Chemainus berth rebuild project. This project is early 2017 and will be 10 weeks.
So BCF is giving lots of lead time to alert the Thetis & Penelakut communities and businesses of this upcoming disruption.
I've seen comment about using Crofton terminal as a two-route base during those 10 weeks, as well as a water taxi on the regular route to Chemainus.
Nothing on the BCF webpage yet, but the story was in Nanaimo Daily News (behind a pay-wall) yesterday, and I saw it somewhere else last week.
I'll post more, when I can find some online content.
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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 Feb 28, 2016 17:05:09 GMT -8
I dont know if I have mentioned this before but I have noticed every time I do a route 5 9 1 trip where I take the ferry to Otter Bay and then from Otter Bay to Tsawwassen they issue boarding passes but they never ever collected them. I did a route 5 9 1 trip yesterday and they never even issued a boarding pass just the regular reciept! I think most of the other islands issue boarding passes for Tsawwassen but anyone know why Pender does not?? It would be easy for someone to sneak on. But I think they do have a passenger count.
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Apr 16, 2016 20:17:28 GMT -8
Two videos I recorded on my trek to BCFerries Land last month that pertain to this thread
Sailing through Active Pass (Sped-up 5X)
Shot from on board Bowen Queen, as we arrive, offload, reload and depart Otter Bay
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 24, 2016 17:15:37 GMT -8
The colours of a bright summer day enhance the views of terminals at Sturdies Bay and Village Bay. - seen on July 13, 2016 from Mayne Queen. Leaving Sturdies Bay, and turning around for our alignment to our next location. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Village Bay with windshield sun-stars. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr The lovely wood dolphin at Village Bay. I just like the look of the old wood. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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