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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 6, 2019 19:24:39 GMT -8
Snowy day views of the Gravelly Bay and Shingle Spit areas, on the Hornby Route: - February 3, 2019 Mike, I know you're hardcore, but I have to ask: what would possess you to do an expedition to Denman and Hornby on such an unpleasant day? And wasn't Denman kind of dicey for driving? It was a work trip. The company that I work for has a client on Hornby Island that had its business year-end on that weekend. So I needed to attend to some of their year-end stuff. ...and so I took the time to also have fun observing the snow at Gravelly Bay and Shingle Spit. Denman Island was fine when I went through early on Sunday (I took the 7:40am ferry from Buckley Bay to Denman, with a planned 90 minute wait at Gravelly Bay). But while I was waiting at Gravelly Bay, the snow started falling more intensely. The sensible traffic arriving for the 9:40am sailing to Hornby told me that the Denman hills were bad by that time.
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Post by Kahn_C on May 3, 2019 17:27:43 GMT -8
BC Ferries has started the wingwall replacements at Blubber Bay in anticipation of the first (non-Sky) Island class deployments and trial Texada-Comox stops for whichever Salish Class boat happens to be on the Comox-Powell River route later this summer. This picture was taken (from the sun deck of the NIP) a few days after FRPD moved their gear into Blubber Bay after completing some work on Imperial Limestone's bargeloader south of Van Anda, but before they started making any changes. Hopefully I can find time to get a few more pics as things progress over the next month or so. The current main wingwalls were last 'upgraded' in the early '90s (I had a front row seat for those as I was commuting daily to high school in Powell River from Texada at the time). FRPD at Blubber Bay by KC, on Flickr
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on May 13, 2019 22:15:51 GMT -8
I'm intrigued as to the appearance of ferry models that have cropped up at the Buckley Bay and Denman West terminals. They're on pilings just off from the terminal... at Denman West, they share posts that also house birdhouses, and I'm guessing that they've been placed there by BC Ferries, but I'm not sure. They're models of the Tachek, and what looks like the new Island class vessels. I'm wondering if anyone has seen anything like this at other terminals. It seems a really odd thing for BC Ferries to do... but they look kind of official, and the only other explanation is some sort of guerrilla ferry fan installation. DSCF3410 by neophytef9, on Flickr DSCF3409 by neophytef9, on Flickr
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Post by hullnumbers on May 19, 2019 13:25:13 GMT -8
These models would have been built by ordinary people. I know a friends dad who has built a few. There a birds nesting place but I forget which bird. If you spot a Spirit Class model or Coastal Class or Cowichan Class he did it. The details are very impressive.
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Post by yak on May 20, 2019 11:37:39 GMT -8
Similar models are present at Little River as well. Purple Martins are the residents.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 7, 2020 9:22:36 GMT -8
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Post by articulated on May 18, 2020 9:24:32 GMT -8
BC Ferries has issued a Service Notice advising of preliminary construction work into creating a lay-by berth in Quathiaski Cove, in preparation of the deployment of Island Class vessels on this route.
It appears that the lay-by bay will be constructed away from the current terminal location, which is a bit of a first for BC Ferries to my knowledge. I'm also a little surprised they're putting both vessels on the Quadra side, unlike further south where the second vessel will be stored at Nanaimo Harbour and not on Gabriola Island.
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Post by Mike C on May 18, 2020 10:41:59 GMT -8
BC Ferries has issued a Service Notice advising of preliminary construction work into creating a lay-by berth in Quathiaski Cove, in preparation of the deployment of Island Class vessels on this route.
It appears that the lay-by bay will be constructed away from the current terminal location, which is a bit of a first for BC Ferries to my knowledge. I'm also a little surprised they're putting both vessels on the Quadra side, unlike further south where the second vessel will be stored at Nanaimo Harbour and not on Gabriola Island. Doing a lay-up berth off-site is definitely a first. There are some secondary lay-up berths such as those at Blubber Bay and Fulford Harbour, but those are directly adjacent to the in-service berth. It will be interesting to see how the operations in this new location impact local residences on an ongoing basis, if at all. Regarding the crewing, I’m going to guess it has something to do with there being an existing crewing base in Nanaimo, but not one in Campbell River, therefore it makes more sense to have both vessels based on the island side. I could be wrong though.
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Post by Curtis on Apr 10, 2022 18:32:04 GMT -8
Surprised nobody has posted any pictures of the Lay-by Berth in Quathiaski Cove. Guess I'm one to talk though, I've been sitting on these photos since late September and I'm only just getting around to posting them.
All Photos are © CS16 Photography and may only be used with Permission from the Owner.
As viewed coming into Quathiaski Cove. It's pretty easy to spot from Campbell River too.
As viewed from shore.
A look at the crew parking area.
One more shot as viewed from the terminal.
That's All for Now!
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Post by Curtis on Oct 27, 2022 20:53:12 GMT -8
A few shots of Blubber Bay. All Photos are © CS16 Photography and may only be used with Permission from the Owner.
Don't think we have many shots of Blubber Bay since the wing walls were rebuilt. Interesting to compare with the picture posted at the top of the page.
Island Nagalis at the berth.
Heading back aboard.
That's all for now.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 3, 2023 20:06:25 GMT -8
Gravelly Bay ferry terminal on Denman Island features in this video of mine, of a drive across Denman Island: ------------------- Also, here is a link to the Gravelly Bay redevelopment plan: HERE
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Feb 10, 2023 23:30:08 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 12, 2023 17:36:08 GMT -8
The tree-cutting work at Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) ferry terminal is scheduled to start on Monday February 13 2023.
(see 2 posts previous in this thread for a link to the project plan)
Hornby & Denman people held another protest there today, and I expect there will be "people up in the trees" on Monday, preventing the contractors from doing their work.
It should make for great TV news and even greater social media hyperbole. Think cable-ferry outrage, but way more outrage.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,151
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Post by Neil on Feb 12, 2023 20:55:34 GMT -8
The tree-cutting work at Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) ferry terminal is scheduled to start on Monday February 13 2023. (see 2 posts previous in this thread for a link to the project plan) Hornby & Denman people held another protest there today, and I expect there will be "people up in the trees" on Monday, preventing the contractors from doing their work. It should make for great TV news and even greater social media hyperbole. Think cable-ferry outrage, but way more outrage. Yes: cue the outrage. There is a bottomless pit of animosity on Denman and Hornby, directed at BC Ferries. There's some justification for this, based on Hornby being utterly swamped in the summer with visitors, resulting in residents needing six or seven hours just to get into Courtenay and back for shopping or perhaps essential medical appointments. It inevitably spills over onto Denman. I was kind of/not so amazed at the lack of positive reaction to BC Ferries announcing several months back that for the summer of 2023, Quinitsa would be on the Hornby run, and Kahloke would be shifted to provide two vessel service between Buckley Bay and Denman West. We'll see if that actually happens... we know how hard it has been for BC Ferries just to crew the routes they're currently contracted to do. These two islands are divided in their outlook toward tourism, but also regarding the level of service just for residents. BC Ferries will always be the bad guy.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 13, 2023 22:22:48 GMT -8
www.cheknews.ca/protesters-block-work-crews-from-cutting-trees-for-denman-ferry-terminal-expansion-1140644/Some of the complaining is downright dishonest; people on facebook have been saying there was no consultation. I went to the Hornby consultation five or six years ago, where there was ample information and several options presented, as well as a two month window for online or written responses. However... the results of the consultation showed that residents wanted minimal environmental impact, and BC Ferries at the time did not present the possibility of a bigger ferry, which completely changes the equation. If Quinitsa is indeed placed on the Hornby run this summer, it will cut the wait, and the lineups on both ends, by at least half. In rebuilding terminal facilities and berths, BC Ferries sometimes overbuilds... ridiculously. The Gravelly Bay and Shingle Spit berths could accommodate the Malaspina Sky. Given that they're giving Hornby a much bigger ferry for the summer, and presumably subsequent summers, BC Ferries should meet residents half way, and scale back their rather grandiose terminal improvements. Both sides would win; although the company would have to return to the drawing boards, their construction costs would be significantly reduced.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 18, 2023 20:09:20 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 3, 2023 21:59:45 GMT -8
Campbell River Terminal looks a little different now, if only because the vessels working out of this place are much different than what was the case a few short months ago.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jul 13, 2023 17:46:22 GMT -8
Have any of our really nerdy ferry fans actually timed the Cortes route? I'm asking because, with the tightening up of the schedule this summer, BC Ferries has the Quadra Queen II arriving at Whaletown the same time she departs. Which, you have to admit, is quite the trick. Super efficient loading. I suspect that the route doesn't actually take 45 minutes, which is what the schedule says. Maybe 35? Still, it must be a challenge to do that extra round trip in the same time frame, every day.
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Post by Kahloke on Jul 13, 2023 18:30:24 GMT -8
Have any of our really nerdy ferry fans actually timed the Cortes route? I'm asking because, with the tightening up of the schedule this summer, BC Ferries has the Quadra Queen II arriving at Whaletown the same time she departs. Which, you have to admit, is quite the trick. Super efficient loading. I suspect that the route doesn't actually take 45 minutes, which is what the schedule says. Maybe 35? Still, it must be a challenge to do that extra round trip in the same time frame, every day. Maybe they borrowed Hermione's time turner necklace?
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 13, 2023 20:03:27 GMT -8
Have any of our really nerdy ferry fans actually timed the Cortes route? I'm asking because, with the tightening up of the schedule this summer, BC Ferries has the Quadra Queen II arriving at Whaletown the same time she departs. Which, you have to admit, is quite the trick. Super efficient loading. I suspect that the route doesn't actually take 45 minutes, which is what the schedule says. Maybe 35? Still, it must be a challenge to do that extra round trip in the same time frame, every day. I did a round trip to Cortes on June 1st, and using time stamps on the photos I took (quite a few of them actually) I can confirm a berth to berth timing of 35 minutes, maybe 38. That 35 minute time was pretty much the same both ways.
The QQ II is currently on that run and maybe is waaay faster than the Tachek.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 13, 2023 21:37:41 GMT -8
Have any of our really nerdy ferry fans actually timed the Cortes route? I'm asking because, with the tightening up of the schedule this summer, BC Ferries has the Quadra Queen II arriving at Whaletown the same time she departs. Which, you have to admit, is quite the trick. Super efficient loading. I suspect that the route doesn't actually take 45 minutes, which is what the schedule says. Maybe 35? Still, it must be a challenge to do that extra round trip in the same time frame, every day. I did a round trip to Cortes on June 1st, and using time stamps on the photos I took (quite a few of them actually) I can confirm a berth to berth timing of 35 minutes, maybe 38. That 35 minute time was pretty much the same both ways.
The QQ II is currently on that run and maybe is waaay faster than the Tachek. I think BC Ferries is operating the vessels a little faster and slightly reduced turn around. By the way, according to the fleet page Tachek is only .2 knots faster than Quadra Queen II.
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Post by The Black cat on Aug 31, 2023 12:31:51 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Nov 5, 2023 11:49:01 GMT -8
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Post by yak on Nov 14, 2023 16:27:40 GMT -8
Looks like this will get underway in earnest in the new year. One benefit behind the scenes will be a meeting space in the new building.
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