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MV Hiyu
Jan 20, 2014 21:25:35 GMT -8
Post by compdude787 on Jan 20, 2014 21:25:35 GMT -8
The Hiyu wasn't even built for WSF. She was built for the Navy to use as a ferry to and from Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. She remained in service until 1998, when a bridge was built to Ford Island. The Hiyu was built for WSF, her sister (named the Moko Holo Hele according to EGFleet) wasn't. Get your ships right. Oops, sorry. Thanks for pointing that out, I've fixed my original post.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 20, 2014 22:31:04 GMT -8
Ouch that's deep, might make my idea not work, which I will explain later. Jim Let me guess... you're in discussion with a shipyard for a stretched Hiyu-II, to be constructed right after they deliver the stretched Steilacoom II design, which will go into service on the Port Townsend route, allowing the sale of the current lemons on the route...
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MV Hiyu
Jan 20, 2014 23:14:57 GMT -8
Post by compdude787 on Jan 20, 2014 23:14:57 GMT -8
Ouch that's deep, might make my idea not work, which I will explain later. Jim Let me guess... you're in discussion with a shipyard for a stretched Hiyu-II... Make sure to make it ADA accessible! The current Hiyu cannot be made ADA accessible. I think that's because the place where they have the stairways is not wide enough to fit an elevator. (not that I need to use an elevator though. There are some people that do, but fortunately not me.)
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lifc
Voyager
Posts: 471
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MV Hiyu
Jan 21, 2014 8:59:01 GMT -8
Post by lifc on Jan 21, 2014 8:59:01 GMT -8
Ouch that's deep, might make my idea not work, which I will explain later. Jim Let me guess... you're in discussion with a shipyard for a stretched Hiyu-II, to be constructed right after they deliver the stretched Steilacoom II design, which will go into service on the Port Townsend route, allowing the sale of the current lemons on the route... Nope, no Port Townsend, no stretching, no replacing the lemons, well maybe later. Like Monty Python said, "Now for something completely different". That will have to suffice until I get my "ducks" lined up. Or, maybe it has to do with getting some corroded green and white steel from an un-named Mexican Scrapyard. Then slicing and putting together and another 'Vintage" boat which, after a year or two, can be condemned so the politicians in charge can throw another bone to their supporters to get another inappropriate, expensive, as you say, lemon, built. Or maybe, cutting the keel off, taking the engine ends and grafting it all onto the new, Chinese built, Titantic II, so it can be registered as a U.S. built ship so the owner's can sail it between LA and Alaska- to look at the icebergs at Glacier Bay.
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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MV Hiyu
Jan 27, 2014 15:43:15 GMT -8
Post by FNS on Jan 27, 2014 15:43:15 GMT -8
For those floating "Flying Saucer" fans, here's a treat for you. The MV HIYU was spotted on this Orcas Island cam this afternoon: The aliens have arrived at Orcas. Some folks on this Forum affectionately call the HIYU a "Flying Saucer". This posting isn't complete without some sound effects:
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SolDuc
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MV Hiyu
Jan 27, 2014 23:47:56 GMT -8
Post by SolDuc on Jan 27, 2014 23:47:56 GMT -8
lifc - Looking back at my pictures of the Hiyu at Anacortes in November the 10' mark was visible on the Hull so that 3.05m figure for lightship would be quite accurate. However I'm sure she draws much more when she has five trucks on, like she did today. So yeah, in case you were wondering, we did have some forum members on the Hiyu today: Mr. Elwha on the Rocks and myself! We picked a great day to sail and the timing was just right. Photos to come on Wednesday.
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lifc
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MV Hiyu
Jan 28, 2014 1:29:58 GMT -8
Post by lifc on Jan 28, 2014 1:29:58 GMT -8
SolDuc,
Thank you for the answer. Even though I have seen her a number of times at Eagle Harbor, I have never got to ride her. I'm curious, you seem to go around riding a lot of ferries, for fun or avocation?
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Jan 28, 2014 16:47:58 GMT -8
SolDuc, Thank you for the answer. Even though I have seen her a number of times at Eagle Harbor, I have never got to ride her. I'm curious, you seem to go around riding a lot of ferries, for fun or avocation? Yes, I guess you could call ferry fanning a vocation. Like most other people in this forum, I enjoy riding ferries and taking pictures of them. Had the Hiyu been on service any other day, I wouldn't have ridden on her since I had yesterday off. The Hiyu was the last ferry I needed to ride to have been on every single WSF. Had the Hiyu not been in service I would have been biking on the Kitsap peninsula to see supers pass in Rich Passage. Let's say I want to fully enjoy my days off, and successfully do it every time!
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SolDuc
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SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
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Post by SolDuc on Feb 3, 2014 22:45:27 GMT -8
All right, before we all get blown away with Scott (Former Account)'s incredible NIP shots, here are some pictures from the Hiyu trip Elwha on the Rocks and I made on January 27th, 2014, with perfect weather and the most friendly crew in the whole system. !!PHOTO HEAVY!!We got on her at Shaw and got very good pictures while she was coming over from Orcas. Here's a thru shot: MV Hiyu en-route to Shaw Island - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr With the Sealth docking at Orcas. Notice how much she leans forward with the two trucks. They got off at Lopez and the Hiyu is such a small boat that her bow raised by half a foot each time one got off: MV Hiyu en-route to Shaw Island - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Allright, you guessed it, the most incredible part of the trip. Instead of backing off at Orcas and getting back to the Shaw end to take the trip across the Channel, she aimed straight for Shaw then powerslided into the dock to turn around. First time I've ever seen that happen on a WSF! MV Hiyu en-route to Shaw Island - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Builder's plaque: Builder's Plaque, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr A shot of the less rusty of the Bulwark names, along with some Harney Channel Scenery: Bulwark Name, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Some cabin shots. Actually a lot of cabin shots. Cabin, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Cabin, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Cabin, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Notice the rounded bench in the background of this one: Cabin, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Newspapers were selling for 50 cents on the other side of this bench. No fancy distributor, just a stack and somewhere to place your money: Cabin, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Making the turn into Friday Harbor: Wake while entering Friday Harbor, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Car deck and Bridge while docked at Friday Harbor: Car Deck and Superstructure, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Underway to Orcas from Friday Harbor: Wake in Friday Harbor, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr One of the four liferings (two on the car deck, two on the bridge deck): Lifering, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Lots of shots of the wake in Wasp Passage, which is perhaps the most beautiful of all the passages the ferry travels through. Can anybody spot Spencer in this photo? Wake in Wasp Passage, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Symmetrical shot: Wake in Wasp Passage, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Another one from the port starboard side: Wake in Wasp Passage, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr The best one I got, from the port side: Wake in Wasp Passage, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Panorama of the whole car deck while docked at Orcas: Car Deck and Superstructure, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr One of the car deck wings: Car Deck, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Just because I'm a bike commuter... Bikes on MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr The wake as we were turning towards Lopez: Wake in Harney Channel, MV Hiyu - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Disembarking at Lopez: Disembarking the MV Hiyu at Lopez Island - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Sailing away from Lopez to Shaw on her last trip in service that day, and probably her last for the rest of the year: MV Hiyu en-route to Shaw Island - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Disappearing behind upright head: MV Hiyu en-route to Shaw Island - Washington State Ferries by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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MV Hiyu
Feb 11, 2014 1:07:03 GMT -8
Post by FNS on Feb 11, 2014 1:07:03 GMT -8
All right, before we all get blown away with Scott (Former Account)'s incredible NIP shots, here are some pictures from the Hiyu trip Elwha on the Rocks and I made on January 27th, 2014, with perfect weather and the most friendly crew in the whole system. Here's a treat for you. A few photos of the interior of the MV HIYU taken in 1980 on the Tahlequah run: This is the side that has the rescue boat at the end. Underway for Tahleqhah with an afternoon sun shining into the cabin. The camera faced the direction of travel. This is the other cabin of the HIYU. That's the ship's office. We were at the landing at Tahlequah when this photo was taken. The other end of this cabin. Interesting to note is the use of seats that closely resembled in color of those that were originally installed aboard the Superferries. As you know, the Supers came from California, known for its mostly tan deserts. They were fitted with mostly tannish seating. You could call the Supers the "Californian Desert Class" if you wish. Also, you can see that the HIYU retains the light fixtures in her cabins as you can see in "SolDuc"'s photos as well as these. ENJOY!
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 11, 2014 18:14:55 GMT -8
Huh. I had no idea the built-in benches on the HIYU were not original to the vessel. Thank you for sharing!
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lifc
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Posts: 471
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Post by lifc on Feb 13, 2014 13:25:30 GMT -8
Yesterday was a great Ferry day for me. I had six Ferry events involving four trips and five Vessels. Since I live on Lummi Island, I started the day with a ride to the mainland on the Whatcom Chief. Then to Seattle, a trip on the Wenatchee to Bainbrige, then back to Seattle on the Tacoma, then a late night return to Lummi on the Whatcom Chief.
While at Bainbridge, Whatcom County Ferry Committee Person Greg Brown and I visited the Hiyu at Eagle Harbor. Since it is slated to be surplussed by the State with their receipt of the Samish, we thought we'd look at it a a possible replacement for the aging and worn out Whatcom Chief. We had a great tour of the boat including the Pilot House and Engine Room. The Hiyu is in overall excellent condition, the engines have just been rebuilt, the hull is just about perfect, and it has a charm and appeal to it I have only experienced on a boat a few times in life. If you follow my earlier postings, the issue we would have with it would be its draw, which shows just under 10 feet on the markers. To use it as it is we would need to dredge the Island side slip, although 99% of the time the draw would never be an issue. There is another option we could use to make it work, but that would change to look of the boat drastically, which none of us would like. In my opinion, we could make it ADA compliant by building out a small room on the outside of one of the support caissons on either of the innermost outer lanes. This would lose about one car space and necessitate a simple parking sequence to make it work. The 34 car capacity would just be about perfect for us, although we would likely get a few more on as we load the cars closer to the ends than the State does. As as the economy slowly improves, the Chief is again having troubles keeping up with seasonal loads, as well as having much too narrow car lanes. Now we just have to figure out if we can make it work, I am on a citizen sub-committee, tasked with recommendations on a replacement Ferry.
One thing I found out about the Hiyu was that about 15-20 years ago there was a plan to lengthen it by 60 feet and install larger Cat 3512 engines in it, which in total, would have increased its speed to about 13-14 nauts, cost at the time was 2-3 million. Too bad this wasn't done, would have made it a great Inter-Island and Point Defiance boat. In light of the events of 2007 and later this now seems totally irresponsible. She's just to old now.
Back in Seattle we visited the privately owned Trek ferry boat on Lake Union. It is the former Ketchikan Airport Ferry -Bob Ellis and previously Lake Champlain Ferry -Mount Marcy.It is also in excellent condition and currently licensed to carry about 15 cars with 100 passengers. We are looking at this to be a rented Emergency and Dry-Dock replacement for the Whatcom Chief. While not a permanent replacement, it would do this duty very well, it's quite a nice boat.
So yesterday was a quite a day, four rides and five ferries.
Jim
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Post by chokai on Feb 13, 2014 15:13:02 GMT -8
Hehe. I was suspecting that was what you were up too when you asked about her a few weeks back. I really hope she works. :-)
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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MV Hiyu
Feb 13, 2014 16:46:58 GMT -8
Post by FNS on Feb 13, 2014 16:46:58 GMT -8
Hehe. I was suspecting that was what you were up too when you asked about her a few weeks back. I really hope she works. :-) Me, too! I didn't want to jump in to spoil what our Lummi friend has up his sleeves for MV "PLENTY". I knew already as it's overdue that the MV WHATCOM CHIEF needs to sail off to another user willing to upgrade her for use on their service where a ferry her size is adequate. It's time that Lummi islanders get an upgrade. Plus a decently comfortable vessel that could do an hour's trip to Fairhaven if the regular mainland dock has to be closed for whatever reason that's needed (maintenance et al).
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lifc
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Posts: 471
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MV Hiyu
Feb 13, 2014 17:35:53 GMT -8
Post by lifc on Feb 13, 2014 17:35:53 GMT -8
We are hoping that we will never have to sail to Fairhaven, but if we had to, the Hiyu could handle the nasty water in the Lummi/Eliza/Portage Island Triangle. It would still be too small for the needed car capacity, but sure better than what we have now.
So, we have a bunch of issues to resolve in regards to the Hiyu, tonnage/crewing, draft and docks, which it will not fit. Our County supplied CAD drawings of the Mainland side show that it will just squeeze in, but it does not look like it to me when the Chief is in the slip. I do not think the outer dolphins are that far apart, we will get them measured to be sure. But, as the docks are going to need quite a bit of replacement work in the ext few years, maybe we can get this done so it will fit.
Every now and then, we have a big flood that cuts off the Lummi Peninsula, and Reservation. Then the Lummi Ferry is the only governmental way to get there. One of the last times it happened the flood went on for about a week. The poor Whatcom Chief was overwhelmed, they chained unheated buses and porta potties to the deck. It was in December, it was cold, then it got real windy and rough. People were throwing up, water was washing over the deck, and coming in through the vents. Instead of an hour passage, it took about three hours, no one was happy. The Hiyu would do much better. The idea of using it to Fairhaven during dock repair is another good one.
As for the Chief, it needs to be retired, at least from everyday use. We previously were going to keep it as a spare boat to be used by both Whatcom and Skagit Counties, except it now costs so much to maintain. That cost would likely keep another group from buying it as a car ferry. It would make a great platform for someone like Argosy Cruises who would cut it off at the deck and replace the house with one like they had on the old Tourist II. If they kept it in fresh water, it will last a long time. If it was up to me. I'd buy the Hiyu and the Trek as the spare, Then I would sell off the Chief. The TREK is 10 years newer and spent 20 years of its life in fresh water, so it's in better overall shape than the Chief, although not quite the weather boat the Chief is.
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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MV Hiyu
Feb 13, 2014 18:22:15 GMT -8
Post by FNS on Feb 13, 2014 18:22:15 GMT -8
And, today marks the 35th anniversary of the sinking of the western half of the Hood Canal Bridge by a massive wind storm.
With convenient access to the Olympic Peninsula cut off, WSF immediately sent a contractor to the little old Quincy Street dock in Port Townsend to prepare it for use by ferries bigger than 226 by 63 feet with an 8.5 foot draft. This is before the new Harrison Dock, we use today, was built.
Quincy was dredged and prepared for use by ferries measuring 440 feet in length, 87 feet in beam, and a pretty good draft. After a couple of weeks, ferry service began to Edmonds, a 90 minute run for the Supers and Jumbos, and 2 hours for the TILLIKUM in the Spring 1980 phaseout when ferries began running between Lofall and South Point.
The docks up on the Lummi Island run will need to be reworked anyway to prepare them for use by better ferries in the future. Like the bigger and wider HIYU (to Lummi standards) et al.
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lifc
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Posts: 471
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MV Hiyu
Feb 20, 2014 12:50:36 GMT -8
Post by lifc on Feb 20, 2014 12:50:36 GMT -8
Last night was the Ferry Board meeting, Greg Brown and I introduced the HIYU as a possible replacement for the Lummi Island Ferry. I have to say I was a bit surprised, even the usual naysayers thought it was a good idea. The Engineer that was just charged with the Ferry System for the County Public Works was there and is receptive to the widening of the docks for larger vessels. Now we just have to figure out the logistics of it working here. Our main problem will be how to deal with its deeper draft than the old Whatcom Chief. It is our feeling that the HIYU would be OK here for about 15 years.
A couple of days ago I spoke with the State Ferry person who is in charge of the disposition of used Ferries. He told me the word came from on-high that the Evergreen State is to be surplussed first, surplus target date of June 30. The HIYU will be surplussed next, upon receipt of the Samish. Apparently the operators are not to happy with that, they would rather see the E State stay around until the peaks season is over in case there are problems with the new Tokatae.
This is the same thing I heard when I was at Eagle Harbor last week, athough they didn't know the surplus date.
Jim
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Feb 24, 2014 17:20:20 GMT -8
Now that I'm back from the desert I'm ready to post a lot of videos in this thread. There's a total of three, the first one a compilation of short videos taken during the crossings of the Sealth and the Hiyu. The Second one is a full tour of the public areas of the Hiyu. The third and last one is a landing signal, blown by request from the "members of the ferry society" as the crew member put it. Enjoy!
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Post by Elwha on the Rocks on Feb 26, 2014 17:37:21 GMT -8
Alright, I know I'm late, but I figured I ought to post my photo essay on the trip Guy and I did on the Hiyu about a month ago. So here we go! Warning: Photo Heavy! These first few are of the Hiyu doing the short crossing from Orcas to Shaw, she passed the Sealth, which made for some great shots! Like Guy said earlier, she did powerslide into the Shaw slip, something you don't see everyday at WSF! Here's a few cabin shots, the cabin wasn't that bad until we got to Friday Harbor, then it got a little crowded, Notice how the seats are all different heights. View of the beautiful San Juan Islands out one of the big picture windows. A couple pics of the cabin while we were at Friday Harbor, nobody in the cabin except us and the "Voyager Moms." Here's where Guy and I hung out for about thirty minutes while they un-loaded, loaded, and departed. You can see my video here: So now we'll head down to the cardeck, these first couple were taken at Orcas, looking at the cabins and pilothouse. Proof that we're on the Hiyu: These next couple are some of my favorites, the first one is looking overboard at her wake, if I'm right going from Lopez to Friday Harbor. The second one is going from Friday Harbor to Orcas, I think you can tell why this one made it into the "top ten" from that trip. A few photos of her wake: Back at Lopez, after a great almost three hours on-board. Doing the "spin" Heading to Friday Harbor, she did one more loop after that before being replaced by the E-State. One more look at the mighty Hiyu before she disappears around the point. An awesome trip, I would definitely give it a "five out of five" score! The timing was just right, as the E-State re-entered service just one loop after we disembarked. And also, a huge thanks to the best crew in the whole system! One more photo, to conclude this trip report. The bulkward name, a shot that took me many tries before succeeding, but that was worth it. Thanks for reading!
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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MV Hiyu
Feb 26, 2014 18:27:20 GMT -8
Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 26, 2014 18:27:20 GMT -8
so you did the round trip from Lopez??? The one time I did the inter island boat I did it from Friday Harbour. What sailings did you take?
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SolDuc
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MV Hiyu
Feb 26, 2014 20:24:26 GMT -8
Post by SolDuc on Feb 26, 2014 20:24:26 GMT -8
so you did the round trip from Lopez??? The one time I did the inter island boat I did it from Friday Harbour. What sailings did you take? We started from Shaw at 12:40 then did a round around the islands stopping at Lopez at 1:05, Friday Harbor at 2:05, Orcas at 2:55 and Shaw at 3:10 before arriving at Lopez at 3:30. All without disembarking the boat.
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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MV Hiyu
Feb 27, 2014 8:16:37 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 27, 2014 8:16:37 GMT -8
I did it too without disembarking taking the 11:30am out Friday Harbour arriving back at like 2:00pm! Friday Garbour would be nicer to hang around waiting for the next boat than Lopez!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 27, 2014 9:08:19 GMT -8
In the USA, they spell "Garbour" as "Garbor"
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 27, 2014 9:35:25 GMT -8
ugh I typed that from my phone! I just absolutely hate that stupid auto correct on phones. It's so annoying!
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SolDuc
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MV Hiyu
Feb 27, 2014 17:05:05 GMT -8
Post by SolDuc on Feb 27, 2014 17:05:05 GMT -8
Friday Harbor would be nicer to hang around waiting for the next boat than Lopez! Not if the ferry comes only half an hour after the first one left and that there's one coming in the middle to entertain you.
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