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Post by princessofvanfan on Jul 8, 2021 8:46:34 GMT -8
With the possibility of the border re-opening later this month, just wondering how long it would take to get the Coho back up and running? I will probably be in Victoria at the end of the month, and have never rode her.  If you haven't been on the Coho, then you really must do a round trip sometime. She's pretty much in her original condition, and is a real trip down memory lane for those of us who remember what the original Spauldings used to be like. Also, the approach to Victoria is breathtaking, standing outside on her expansive forward deck. A real treat. |
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paulvanb
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Post by paulvanb on Jul 31, 2021 7:56:33 GMT -8
Sad site to see. The empty parking lot for the Coho. However, it looks like they optimistic that things will reopen soon. Someone was pressure washing the parking lot, and the building was having some trim being painted. Hopefully, the Coho will make a graceful appearance some.  |
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MV Coho
Sept 29, 2021 22:59:12 GMT -8
Post by 1foot2ships on Sept 29, 2021 22:59:12 GMT -8
It still baffles my mind how the CDN Gov't thinks it's ok to allow travellers from a place with lower vaccination rates and higher per capital case counts to come up, but the US Gov't thinks it's not ok to allow southbound travellers for the same reasons but...
The Clipper is now back in service. I don't have doubts the Coho will be back, but I was thinking they would have started as soon as restrictions were lifted, (and maybe have even run at a loss?). Not a peep on their TW, nothing on their FB either. Anybody hear/ know anything?
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MV Coho
Sept 29, 2021 23:32:39 GMT -8
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 29, 2021 23:32:39 GMT -8
It still baffles my mind how the CDN Gov't thinks it's ok to allow travellers from a place with lower vaccination rates and higher per capital case counts to come up, but the US Gov't thinks it's not ok to allow southbound travellers for the same reasons but... The Clipper is now back in service. I don't have doubts the Coho will be back, but I was thinking they would have started as soon as restrictions were lifted, (and maybe have even run at a loss?). Not a peep on their TW, nothing on their FB either. Anybody hear/ know anything? |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 21, 2021 9:54:14 GMT -8
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MV Coho
Oct 21, 2021 11:55:58 GMT -8
Post by Kahloke on Oct 21, 2021 11:55:58 GMT -8
Good news for Black Ball. I hope they get enough passengers to start generating a profit again, although we are heading into the low season (vs. summer), and Canada's negative PCR Covid test results within 72 hours prior to entering the country could also deter some travelers. Speaking for myself only, I would love to visit Canada, but I'm waiting until the requirements are less onerous. I understand it can be difficult to find a COVID testing center that can do a PCR test and give you the results within 2 days. If Canada were to relax the type of test required, and allow rapid testing for those who are vaccinated, that would make it easier to plan trips and visit. |
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paulvanb
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MV Coho
Oct 21, 2021 12:30:22 GMT -8
Post by paulvanb on Oct 21, 2021 12:30:22 GMT -8
Good news for Black Ball. I hope they get enough passengers to start generating a profit again, although we are heading into the low season (vs. summer), and Canada's negative PCR Covid test results within 72 hours prior to entering the country could also deter some travelers. Speaking for myself only, I would love to visit Canada, but I'm waiting until the requirements are less onerous. I understand it can be difficult to find a COVID testing center that can do a PCR test and give you the results within 2 days. If Canada were to relax the type of test required, and allow rapid testing for those who are vaccinated, that would make it easier to plan trips and visit. This is great news! Was hoping for summer, but like you, waiting for less restrictions. |
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MV Coho
Oct 21, 2021 13:05:33 GMT -8
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 21, 2021 13:05:33 GMT -8
Good news for Black Ball. I hope they get enough passengers to start generating a profit again, although we are heading into the low season (vs. summer), and Canada's negative PCR Covid test results within 72 hours prior to entering the country could also deter some travelers. Speaking for myself only, I would love to visit Canada, but I'm waiting until the requirements are less onerous. I understand it can be difficult to find a COVID testing center that can do a PCR test and give you the results within 2 days. If Canada were to relax the type of test required, and allow rapid testing for those who are vaccinated, that would make it easier to plan trips and visit. But Black Ball Ferry Lines also benefit from transporting vehicles and essential goods which I think would make it easier to justify operating compared to tourist traffic only. |
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Post by princessofvanfan on Oct 21, 2021 14:14:38 GMT -8
Good news for Black Ball. I hope they get enough passengers to start generating a profit again, although we are heading into the low season (vs. summer), and Canada's negative PCR Covid test results within 72 hours prior to entering the country could also deter some travelers. Speaking for myself only, I would love to visit Canada, but I'm waiting until the requirements are less onerous. I understand it can be difficult to find a COVID testing center that can do a PCR test and give you the results within 2 days. If Canada were to relax the type of test required, and allow rapid testing for those who are vaccinated, that would make it easier to plan trips and visit. But Black Ball Ferry Lines also benefit from transporting vehicles and essential goods which I think would make it easier to justify operating compared to tourist traffic only. Great news! We'll be in Victoria on Dec. 3-5 at The Embassy Inn...can't wait to hear the old one long and two short blasts from Coho's horns announcing her arrival! I just hope the PCR test doesn't cause her to be laid up again. |
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Post by cbachmeier on Oct 24, 2021 9:41:37 GMT -8
Great news, it is wonderful to see the return of the MV Coho, here is the website information about reopening and covid safety measures that will be taken onboard. www.cohoferry.com/covid-19-requirements |
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grk2
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Post by grk2 on Nov 2, 2021 14:30:09 GMT -8
welcome back!
Coho came into Victoria harbour 5 or 6 times this morning. Practiced docking for all 3 Masters. They also had a practice with a Seaspan harbour tug that utilized on days of very high winds; with no bow thrusters the tug is used to swing the bow to align with the harbour channel. It sure was a pleasant to hear her whistle again; a long and two shorts on arrival, one long 5 minutes before departure time, and 3 on her going astern.
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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MV Coho
Nov 2, 2021 22:55:42 GMT -8
Post by FNS on Nov 2, 2021 22:55:42 GMT -8
welcome back! Coho came into Victoria harbour 5 or 6 times this morning. Practiced docking for all 3 Masters. They also had a practice with a Seaspan harbour tug that utilized on days of very high winds; with no bow thrusters the tug is used to swing the bow to align with the harbour channel. It sure was a pleasant to hear her whistle again; a long and two shorts on arrival, one long 5 minutes before departure time, and 3 on her going astern. Good story!  |
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Post by princessofvanfan on Nov 3, 2021 1:28:15 GMT -8
Finally.
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grk2
Chief Steward
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Post by grk2 on Nov 8, 2021 10:04:37 GMT -8
The COHO'S first commercial sailing arrived in Victoria today. She was met off the Ogden Point breakwater by a flotilla of welcoming vessels. Two fire boats welcomed her, and with water cannons in full action escorted her into the inner harbour. Vessels from the Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy, Victoria Fire Department, harbour tugs, whale watching companies, a group of the harbour water taxis, and private boats brought her into the berth. Sirens and claxon horns marked the arrival, as did cheers and waves from those on the vantage points along the shore. A fine showing for the pride of our harbour; and Coho looked splendid dressed in her pennants.
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Nov 8, 2021 10:12:10 GMT -8
 MV COHO on her re-maiden voyage this morning. She is seen in this pic from the Race Rocks Cam on her first morning run to Victoria from Port Angeles after many months of inaction due to CV. WELCOME BACK, MV COHO!
MV COHO on her first re-maiden southbound voyage from Victoria to Port Angeles.  About to hide behind a structure of Race Rocks Lighthouse. In the distance, we see Mount Baring. Baring is between Index and Skykomish along the historic Stevens Pass Great Northern Railway train tracks. GN was still a primary rail line in the area when the COHO originally began her services with Omaha Orange and Pullman Green painted on their modern passenger cars and locomotives.  First afternoon northbound voyage. No matter how big ships are, they'll be dwarfed by huge magnificent mountains! That's Mount Baker.  Final voyage for today. Victoria to Port Angeles. The tug C.H. CATES IV stood by the COHO to assist if need be (winds?) in the tight confines of Victoria's Inner Harbour. It's so great to see this beloved ferry doing her thing again after all these months of CV misery. And, we thank the operators of this camera at Race Rocks for letting us see ships of interest pass by in this area. racerocks.ca |
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paulvanb
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MV Coho
Nov 8, 2021 16:53:05 GMT -8
Post by paulvanb on Nov 8, 2021 16:53:05 GMT -8
The COHO'S first commercial sailing arrived in Victoria today. She was met off the Ogden Point breakwater by a flotilla of welcoming vessels. Two fire boats welcomed her, and with water cannons in full action escorted her into the inner harbour. Vessels from the Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy, Victoria Fire Department, harbour tugs, whale watching companies, a group of the harbour water taxis, and private boats brought her into the berth. Sirens and claxon horns marked the arrival, as did cheers and waves from those on the vantage points along the shore. A fine showing for the pride of our harbour; and Coho looked splendid dressed in her pennants. Hopefully, you will have photos and video to share! Very glad to see her back in service. |
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Nov 8, 2021 17:57:52 GMT -8
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MV Coho
Nov 8, 2021 20:07:17 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2021 20:07:17 GMT -8
I was down and saw her a sight behold it was the first moment I had tears of joy over a ferry, hopefully she will be able to sail without issues regarding the covid test which resulted in the FRS Clipper pulling the plug.
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paulvanb
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MV Coho
Nov 8, 2021 21:01:04 GMT -8
Post by paulvanb on Nov 8, 2021 21:01:04 GMT -8
Watching this literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you! |
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Post by 1foot2ships on Nov 17, 2021 22:56:14 GMT -8
The CEO of the Coho was on the radio a few days ago talking about the return to service. Give him credit, he was very candid and honest during the interview.
I should have posted earlier while my memory 100%, but I think he said aside from some leisure uptake during the initial few days, traffic levels are aren't great. Commercial traffic isn't that significant during normal times so I guess it means freight cannot be relied upon to help pay the bills. I think RV traffic is a big income source for them and I heard on the radio the PCR test will soon be ceased for travellers out of the country < 72hrs. This is good news for both the Coho and the Clipper (if they change their minds).
Another thing I remember him saying is that they were looking forward to American Thanksgiving and the X-mas season when northbound traffic temporarily increases.
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MV Coho
Dec 2, 2021 22:49:19 GMT -8
Post by 1foot2ships on Dec 2, 2021 22:49:19 GMT -8
If I was thinking, I would have parked the car and took some photographs, but last Saturday on the 1st SB sailing, the car hold was full on Belleville St at around 0910. Traffic was about 80% small passenger cars, 20% RVs/Campers.
I thought it was quite impressive at the time, until I realised it was American Thanksgiving. Not a very useful report, but just thought I'de post to share what I saw.
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MV Coho
Feb 6, 2022 20:39:51 GMT -8
Post by 1foot2ships on Feb 6, 2022 20:39:51 GMT -8
Hi guys...
Been meaning to do this for awhile. Finally did. I present to everybody my report.
I've been curious about the traffic patterns between WA and BC for a long time, especially with respect to the leisure travelers. My findings are 100% not scientific nor do they represent any sort of conclusion suggesting something otherwise.
Date: Saturday February 5th
Time at terminal: 0911
Next Departure: 1030
I walked around a bit and saw the toll booth didn't have a queue. I went down and had a chat with the girl there and some of her mates chilling out. After that conversation, I took some photos (I'm pretty sure these are illegal btw).
I'll summarise my findings in a poll just for fun.
Q1: How has traffic been since you guys started up again?
a) fantastic, we are always sold out each sailing
b) pretty good, exactly as expected
c) meh, sometimes busy, sometimes dead
d) kind of bad, not steady at all
e) terrible, absolutely worse than expected
Q2: What's the breakdown of traffic? Is it 50-50 or something else?
a) 25-75 CDN-USA
b) 40-60 CDN-USA
c) 50-50
d) 60-40 CDN-USA
e) 75-25 CDN-USA
Q3: What's the traffic like on Long Weekends?
a) only Americans flock up on their holiday weekends
b) only Canadiand flood down on our holiday weekends
c) both travel lots on their holiday weekends
d) nobody travels any differently on holiday weekends
Q4: How has the company managed staffing during this period?
a) co. treated us well, gave us a living allowance during the shutdown
b) co. just stopped giving us shifts
c) co. laid everybody off, we are all new and earning lower wages
Q5: You guys are all...
a) seasonal hires
b) permanent staff
c) volunteers
I'll let you guys speculate aloud for a few days. I post the answers later. I'm interested in what you guys think.
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MV Coho
Feb 6, 2022 20:49:42 GMT -8
Post by 1foot2ships on Feb 6, 2022 20:49:42 GMT -8
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MV Coho
Jul 14, 2022 19:42:42 GMT -8
Post by WettCoast on Jul 14, 2022 19:42:42 GMT -8
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Post by Kahloke on Jul 14, 2022 19:45:19 GMT -8
That's cool! Vintage cars on a vintage ferry. We'll be on Coho next Thursday - first time in almost 3 years. |
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