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Post by Starsteward on Aug 29, 2019 2:21:58 GMT -8
 Seeing the Coho is also a great reminder of BC Ferries' beginnings. Will she be the final one of the original Spauldings to survive? I fear that the 'Coho' will be the last Spaulding standing. That said, must commend Blackball for their diligent upkeep of the old girl. Doesn't look a day over 30  |
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Aug 29, 2019 8:28:13 GMT -8
Seeing the Coho is also a great reminder of BC Ferries' beginnings. Will she be the final one of the original Spauldings to survive? I fear that the 'Coho' will be the last Spaulding standing. That said, must commend Blackball for their diligent upkeep of the old girl. Doesn't look a day over 30 Take a look on the inside instead  |
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Post by Mike on Aug 29, 2019 9:55:44 GMT -8
I fear that the 'Coho' will be the last Spaulding standing. That said, must commend Blackball for their diligent upkeep of the old girl. Doesn't look a day over 30 Take a look on the inside instead The Coho's interior definitely has a 1960s feel to it. Brings back memories of riding the Queen of Tsawwassen.  M/V Coho - Forward Stairwell by Michael, on Flickr |
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MV Coho
Aug 29, 2019 17:15:32 GMT -8
Post by princessofvanfan on Aug 29, 2019 17:15:32 GMT -8
Yes, I hope the old girl carries on for many years to come.
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Post by Kahloke on Aug 29, 2019 17:35:54 GMT -8
There's something kind of refreshing with Coho's vintage cabin. That the crews keep her immaculate always impresses me. I hope Coho lasts awhile, too, but she's no youngster, and there will come a day when the Coast Guard will no longer certify the vessel. I hope that doesn't mean the service will die, but I've gotten the impression that BlackBall is on a bit of a shoestring budget, and I fear once Coho is no longer able to ply the route, there will be no replacement ship, and we will be witnessing the end of the Port Angeles-Victoria car ferry. I hope I'm wrong.
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MV Coho
Aug 29, 2019 18:34:14 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 29, 2019 18:34:14 GMT -8
There's something kind of refreshing with Coho's vintage cabin. That the crews keep her immaculate always impresses me. I hope Coho lasts awhile, too, but she's no youngster, and there will come a day when the Coast Guard will no longer certify the vessel. I hope that doesn't mean the service will die, but I've gotten the impression that BlackBall is on a bit of a shoestring budget, and I fear once Coho is no longer able to ply the route, there will be no replacement ship, and we will be witnessing the end of the Port Angeles-Victoria car ferry. I hope I'm wrong. Not unless WSF, BC Ferries decides or do joint partnership and Sidney to take over the route and build a replacement vessels. |
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Post by Barnacle on Aug 30, 2019 9:58:54 GMT -8
There's something kind of refreshing with Coho's vintage cabin. That the crews keep her immaculate always impresses me. I hope Coho lasts awhile, too, but she's no youngster, and there will come a day when the Coast Guard will no longer certify the vessel. I hope that doesn't mean the service will die, but I've gotten the impression that BlackBall is on a bit of a shoestring budget, and I fear once Coho is no longer able to ply the route, there will be no replacement ship, and we will be witnessing the end of the Port Angeles-Victoria car ferry. I hope I'm wrong. Not unless WSF, BC Ferries decides or do joint partnership and Sidney to take over the route and build a replacement vessels. Not likely. The Sidney run has been on the chopping block too many times as it is to consider expanding international service from our side. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Dec 29, 2019 19:59:40 GMT -8
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MV Coho
Dec 29, 2019 22:00:58 GMT -8
grk likes this
Post by princessofvanfan on Dec 29, 2019 22:00:58 GMT -8
One of my faves. Happy 60th!
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Post by iceberg1 on Dec 30, 2019 7:08:59 GMT -8
Happy 60th MV Coho. I believe the Coho has only missed one trip in her 60 years. This was not because of a mechanical breakdown but because of the weather. So much snow the crew could not make it to the boat for the first sailing of the day.
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grk
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Post by grk on Dec 30, 2019 16:50:32 GMT -8
I watch the Coho a lot! I see her from my work windows, and can follow her across the strait and into the harbour until she passes the Helijet terminal at Camel Point. Pounding swells from the SE often giving passengers their first taste of a heavy sea. In the summer she does a dance with the 18:00 cruise ship arrivals, always staying out of their way but frequently given a chance to sneak by into the harbour by their BC Coast Pilots. From home, I can see her into the inner harbour, and from my favourite pub I watch her dock, and and exchange loads. In the heat of the summer and in the stormy winter weather, the Captain always is on the bridge wing in full uniform including the gold braided cap. A classic on our coast, and a testament to her dedicated crew.
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MV Coho
Dec 30, 2019 19:35:43 GMT -8
Post by roeco on Dec 30, 2019 19:35:43 GMT -8
I wonder if Black Ball is looking into the future as Coho wont last forever.
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MV Coho
Dec 30, 2019 20:03:06 GMT -8
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Dec 30, 2019 20:03:06 GMT -8
I wonder if Black Ball is looking into the future as Coho wont last forever. It seems like they having her another 25 years according to this quote. |
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 30, 2019 21:08:07 GMT -8
I think someone is not being entirely realistic in suggesting that they can get another 25 years out of the Coho. I understand that it has been very well maintained BUT, its sixty, going on 65. At some point someone has to say that it is time for it to be retired.
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MV Coho
Dec 30, 2019 21:33:58 GMT -8
Kam likes this
Post by compdude787 on Dec 30, 2019 21:33:58 GMT -8
Regardless of the condition of the vessel, the steel is not going to last forever and is bound to need replacement which will be really expensive as we've seen with the Elwha. I really hope Blackball is setting aside some money for a replacement vessel.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 30, 2019 22:00:05 GMT -8
I think someone is not being entirely realistic in suggesting that they can get another 25 years out of the Coho. I understand that it has been very well maintained BUT, its sixty, going on 65. At some point someone has to say that it is time for it to be retired. The Coho is drydocked every year, from what I understand. That's certainly more than BC Ferries vessels. It may well be that she has a fully 'updated' hull. A year or two ago, I sent an email to Black Ball asking about the plans, if any, to replace her. Never received a reply. The Langdale Queen was retired in '76, at the age of 73. Her hull was still being used as a barge before it sunk about ten years ago, at the age of about 106. If the Coho has been babied and renewed every year in drydock, maybe she is still viable for the next quarter century. Who knows how much steel is still original. Since the run is apparently profitable, the owners might find it cheaper to continually renew the steel rather than invest the massive amount needed for a newbuild. They just have to satisfy the USCG. |
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Post by princessofvanfan on Jan 1, 2020 1:45:57 GMT -8
Coho will indeed carry on for another 25 years. Black Ball's big marketing gimmick is her "vintage" appeal.
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MV Coho
Jan 14, 2020 23:47:45 GMT -8
Post by trainguru on Jan 14, 2020 23:47:45 GMT -8
Happy Birthday to the MV Coho.
From the "Insider" information I've gathered over the last two years, a source high-up in the Coho's crew, expects her to be sailing to 90-100 years, if not longer. The secret has been yearly dry-docking, her Heavy-Duty nature (she was designed for hauling heavy trucks of Newsprint, and her designer, Philip F. Spaulding, thought of her as His Masterpiece!), and her position as the Rock-Solid link, between the U.S. and Canada. A now-former employee, had told me last year, that it would cost around $70 Million, to build the Coho today (at least; compare how much it cost for the Tribe and Olympic classes, and think how that may hash.). What's needed, is a second, speedier (17-18kn service speed), versatile, smaller vessel, built to the Same Standards (toughness, heavy-duty, kept in top-notch condition from day one!), to open-up new routes and opportunities, for the Black Ball Line. Coho could sail well-beyond the Century mark, I have faith in how they maintain the regal lady of the Strait. It's opportunity that's the necessity, and while they seem limited, there lays opportunity, if one is intelligent to follow Henry J. Kaiser's most famed quote, "Find a Need, and Fill-It!"
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MV Coho
Jan 15, 2020 21:27:57 GMT -8
Post by roeco on Jan 15, 2020 21:27:57 GMT -8
Is she not a nearly identical twin to some of Alaska States ferries??
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 15, 2020 22:08:23 GMT -8
Is she not a nearly identical twin to some of Alaska States ferries?? Yes, indeed she is to the 'blue canoes', two of which remain in service. The Alaska boats have an extra deck added to accommodate state rooms. |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 16, 2020 20:32:30 GMT -8
Happy Birthday to the MV Coho. From the "Insider" information I've gathered over the last two years, a source high-up in the Coho's crew, expects her to be sailing to 90-100 years, if not longer. The secret has been yearly dry-docking, her Heavy-Duty nature (she was designed for hauling heavy trucks of Newsprint, and her designer, Philip F. Spaulding, thought of her as His Masterpiece!), and her position as the Rock-Solid link, between the U.S. and Canada. A now-former employee, had told me last year, that it would cost around $70 Million, to build the Coho today (at least; compare how much it cost for the Tribe and Olympic classes, and think how that may hash.). What's needed, is a second, speedier (17-18kn service speed), versatile, smaller vessel, built to the Same Standards (toughness, heavy-duty, kept in top-notch condition from day one!), to open-up new routes and opportunities, for the Black Ball Line. Coho could sail well-beyond the Century mark, I have faith in how they maintain the regal lady of the Strait. It's opportunity that's the necessity, and while they seem limited, there lays opportunity, if one is intelligent to follow Henry J. Kaiser's most famed quote, "Find a Need, and Fill-It!" I imagine the Black Ball Ferry Line has crunched the numbers long term, but I can't help wondering if their financial structure allows for the ongoing maintenance of the Coho, but not the purchase or construction of a replacement. The notion of the Coho reaching the age of 100 is pretty cool from a ship enthusiast's standpoint, but I wonder if the annual cost of replacing tired steel and everything else involved wouldn't in the end be far more than biting the bullet and going with a new vessel. I'd be surprised if the Coho could ever be designated a 'national historic landmark' like Lake Michigan's SS Badger. She's not a steamship, doesn't have her original power plant, and is a pretty barebones vessel. Still, there's no denying that if she survives long term, she will be carrying on the tradition of a design that many of us love, and will be a much venerated sight in Victoria's inner harbour. If I'm still around on her 100th birthday, I'll be 103, and I doubt by then she'll have any more of her original steel than I'll have original teeth.  |
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MV Coho
Jan 24, 2020 8:29:57 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2020 8:29:57 GMT -8
From a engineering stand point the Coho can easily go over 100 provided that the rapture doesn't happen and the Coast Guard still permits her to sail but I have never taken fore granted the sight of seeing the Coho arriving and departing the inner harbor and hearing her wonderful two tone beautifully kept brass horns happy 60th birthday Coho! 😉
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MV Coho
Mar 13, 2020 18:38:17 GMT -8
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 13, 2020 18:38:17 GMT -8
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MV Coho
May 23, 2020 4:11:09 GMT -8
Post by hwy19man on May 23, 2020 4:11:09 GMT -8
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MV Coho
May 23, 2020 8:32:32 GMT -8
Post by Starsteward on May 23, 2020 8:32:32 GMT -8
Hopefully the border shut-down policy will be changed within 90 days and save the dear old 'Coho' from permanent relegation to the dust-bin. |
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