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Post by PeninsulaExplorer on Aug 10, 2014 19:56:44 GMT -8
ah the good ol Elwha! Only two times I have been on her have been on the internation run. I am due for a trip on her. Does anyone know if the Elwha is in the San Jauns year round??? Unless she's in for maintenance, she's in the San Juans. She probably hasn't operated on another route in over 20 years. She was on the Bremerton like 5 or 6 years ago.
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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 Aug 11, 2014 1:32:07 GMT -8
Unless she's in for maintenance, she's in the San Juans. She probably hasn't operated on another route in over 20 years. She was on the Bremerton like 5 or 6 years ago. I've seen the ELWHA do trips on the Edmonds - Port Townsend detour from my Puget Sound beach place back in 1979-1980. She took turns doing this route with the KALEETAN, YAKIMA, SPOKANE, WALLA WALLA, and the Spring 1980 phaseout vessel TILLIKUM. Never saw the HYAK on this run. It was a single boat operation and the little old Quincy Street dock took a beating with more cars driving over its single lane transfer span than it was accustomed to. It was reported that Port Townsend had the worst traffic mess in this city's history. Back then, before and after the detour, Port Townsend was served by a 55-car or a 65-car ferry on the Keystone run (both beginning in 1981). Then came the Steel Electrics in 1983. And, then, the new Harrison Street Terminal. Finally, the new KDT ferries.
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Post by Barnacle on Aug 12, 2014 4:25:43 GMT -8
Unless she's in for maintenance, she's in the San Juans. She probably hasn't operated on another route in over 20 years. She was on the Bremerton like 5 or 6 years ago. If so, she was pinch-hitting. I don't recall her actually working at Bremerton, but I'm also first to admit that doesn't mean it didn't happen. I'd be surprised, though--she must've been a vessel of opportunity if that was the case. She very seldom works another route besides the San Juans, since she is equipped for the Sidney run and the office likes to keep her close if at all possible.
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Post by SS San Mateo on Aug 12, 2014 6:48:22 GMT -8
She was also on the Bremerton route for a week or so back in early-mid 1990s. If my memory is correct, there was only one boat service on the route during this period.
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Post by maximase86 on Aug 13, 2014 20:03:55 GMT -8
There is a picture of her loaded with people/cars with the space needle behind her. She doesn't have her flying t though. It's floating out there on the interwebs.
S
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Post by Kahloke on Aug 17, 2014 11:10:44 GMT -8
Here are some more recent pics of Elwha at Friday Harbor, as of Thursday, 14-Aug-2014 - a bit of a different perspective:
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Post by Elwha on the Rocks on Aug 22, 2014 9:15:09 GMT -8
Something I noticed on the Elwha this summer, is that she used to carry three liferafts per extra container on the cardeck, now she only has one per container. Is there a reason for this, she's still SOLAS compliant, isn't she?
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Post by Barnacle on Aug 23, 2014 12:01:59 GMT -8
Something I noticed on the Elwha this summer, is that she used to carry three liferafts per extra container on the cardeck, now she only has one per container. Is there a reason for this, she's still SOLAS compliant, isn't she? All is still well. The reason the smaller, single-can IBA racks were installed was because the Elwha's rafting was actually well in excess of her COI for international service. Reducing the number of depth charges by eight means they don't have to maintain as many rafts, or replace them at the end of their lifespans (which I believe was what was coming up). Plus the launching mechanism on the new racks is considerably less complicated and thus better IMO. Anyway, Elwha's still tagged for 1200 on the international side IIRC. I haven't checked the COI on that lately as it's not my concern.
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Post by PeninsulaExplorer on Oct 12, 2014 8:12:30 GMT -8
From the Yakima thread, judging on the horsepower and how many engines, she has EMD 12-645E3B 12 cylinder.
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Post by PeninsulaExplorer on Oct 12, 2014 8:13:48 GMT -8
Why does the Elwha always emit less prop wash than the rest of the Supers but has more horsepower, does that have to do with her deeper draft?
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Post by Elwha on the Rocks on Oct 18, 2014 18:04:54 GMT -8
I saw the Elwha many times during my trip to the San Juans in August. The first time I saw her was from the Hyak, she was coming into Anacortes from Friday Harbor at the time. M/V Elwha Approaching Anacortes ~Washington State Ferries by Elwha On The Rocks, on Flickr M/V Elwha Aproaching Anbacortes in the Fog ~Washington State Ferries by Elwha On The Rocks, on Flickr The second time I saw her was in Friday Harbor, she was coming in on her 11:55 from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. M/V Elwha Approaching Slip 1, Friday Harbor ~Washington State Ferries by Elwha On The Rocks, on Flickr M/V Elwha ~Washington State Ferries by Elwha On The Rocks, on Flickr The third time I saw her was also at Friday Harbor, she was coming in from her 4:40 sailing to Friday Harbor. This time I actually got on her. I like the seaplane in this photo. M/V Elwha Approaching Slip 1, Friday Harbor ~Washington State Ferries by Elwha On The Rocks, on Flickr M/V Elwha Docking in Slip 1, Friday Harbor~Washington State Ferries by Elwha On The Rocks, on Flickr The wake: Wake, M/V Elwha ~Washington State Ferries by Elwha On The Rocks, on Flickr On a beautiful evening, there's no better place to be than on the sundeck of a ferry in the San Juans! Sundeck, M/V Elwha ~Washington State Ferries by Elwha On The Rocks, on Flickr
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Nov 12, 2014 19:54:51 GMT -8
Any idea how long the Elwha will be on the international run for???
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Post by R30A on Nov 12, 2014 20:04:41 GMT -8
According to the public vessel maintenance schedule, til the international run finishes for the year. (Besides, the Elwha would normally be on the international run now. What was slightly odd was the Chelan staying on it for so long...)
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 12, 2014 20:06:23 GMT -8
Any idea how long the Elwha will be on the international run for??? Probably until December 27, 2014.
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Post by SS San Mateo on Dec 12, 2014 14:23:37 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 12, 2014 16:00:56 GMT -8
Remind me again why WSF's has never seen fit to go with some sort of weather/wave protection at the extreme ends of the car decks on their vessels; all their vessels? In those linked photos I see a potential for disaster.
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 12, 2014 21:30:35 GMT -8
Was this recently?? I sure would be mad if I had my vehicle right at the front. That is saltwater and that is not good for a car.
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Dec 12, 2014 21:42:49 GMT -8
You'd better not leave your bike on the usual spot under the ramps! I wonder if WSF would allow bikes in the cabin on occasions like this.
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Post by Kahloke on Dec 13, 2014 11:34:19 GMT -8
Remind me again why WSF's has never seen fit to go with some sort of weather/wave protection at the extreme ends of the car decks on their vessels; all their vessels? In those linked photos I see a potential for disaster. 99% of the time, it would not be needed, as our waters are pretty protected as compared with most BC Ferries routes. Rosario Strait, Haro Strait, and Admiralty Inlet are the exceptions to that. It does make me wonder whether they should have cancelled that one sailing, however. I was on Elwha several years ago in similar conditions. I don't think the spray sloshed that far back into the car deck as what these pictures are showing, but it was close. The day I was on it, it took Elwha 90 minutes to do the normally 40 minute crossing between Lopez and Anacortes - granted, that was going up through Peavine Pass and around the top of Cypress Island, coming back down Bellingham Channel to reach Anacortes. There were times when crossing the narrow bit of Rosario Strait that it seemed like the ship was not moving at all. That was a most interesting day. It was blowing wind and rain in the islands and across Skagit Valley, but once I climbed the hill south of Skagit Valley on I-5, it started to snow. Then it went back to rain in Arlington, and was then snowing in earnest from Everett south. I had a nice 30mph drive from there to the Edmonds ferry terminal that night with enough of the white stuff on the freeway to obscure any lane markings. What a day!
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 13, 2014 13:20:28 GMT -8
Remind me again why WSF's has never seen fit to go with some sort of weather/wave protection at the extreme ends of the car decks on their vessels; all their vessels? In those linked photos I see a potential for disaster. 99% of the time, it would not be needed, as our waters are pretty protected as compared with most BC Ferries routes. Rosario Strait, Haro Strait, and Admiralty Inlet are the exceptions to that. It does make me wonder whether they should have cancelled that one sailing, however. So, if its just 1% of the time (and I imagine it actually might be 0.1%) is WSF accepting an excessive level of risk by either: a - not cancelling sailings in such conditions -or- b - not fitting car decks with some sort of high seas protection Is there a probability of sea water on the car decks getting below deck and causing flooding for instance of machinery spaces? Could sea water sloshing around on the car deck cause stability issues? I assume that such a scenario is extremely unlikely but possibly a one in 25 year event, maybe? WSF, I understand, may choose to operate pretty much any vessel on any route. As such vessels normally assigned to routes over very protected waters could end up on very exposed routes in potentially very difficult conditions. Or are there seasonal restrictions? For example, BC Ferries is permitted to operate the Bowen Queen across the open waters of Georgia Strait during summer, but not fall & winter when high seas are much more likely.
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Post by northwesterner on Dec 13, 2014 15:42:31 GMT -8
So, if its just 1% of the time (and I imagine it actually might be 0.1%) is WSF accepting an excessive level of risk by either: a - not cancelling sailings in such conditions -or- b - not fitting car decks with some sort of high seas protection Is there a probability of sea water on the car decks getting below deck and causing flooding for instance of machinery spaces? Could sea water sloshing around on the car deck cause stability issues? I assume that such a scenario is extremely unlikely but possibly a one in 25 year event, maybe? WSF, I understand, may choose to operate pretty much any vessel on any route. As such vessels normally assigned to routes over very protected waters could end up on very exposed routes in potentially very difficult conditions. Or are there seasonal restrictions? For example, BC Ferries is permitted to operate the Bowen Queen across the open waters of Georgia Strait during summer, but not fall & winter when high seas are much more likely. The only route restrictions were placed on a couple of vessels by the USCG on their COIs. The Rhody had and the Hiyu has route restrictions and they are year round, not seasonal. The rest of the fleet can operate anywhere, with the exception of the Sidney route where only the two SOLAS vessels (Elwha and Chelan) can operate.
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Post by northwesterner on Dec 13, 2014 15:44:12 GMT -8
You'd better not leave your bike on the usual spot under the ramps! I wonder if WSF would allow bikes in the cabin on occasions like this. I wonder if the crew would know at loading that they were going to encounter conditions that weren't just stormy but stormy-to-the-point-of-water-on-the-deck while loading. Probably not.
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Post by Barnacle on Dec 14, 2014 7:00:00 GMT -8
Okay, I'll weigh in on these. 1) No, these are not recent photos. In the photo which shows the signage "No. 1 End M.V. Elwha," the liferaft rack is visible in the upper left corner. That's the old rack that held three canisters. The current rack only holds one, has no walking platform around the edge, and is only about 3 1/2 feet deep versus the larger rack that covered the width of the ramp (and actually had that corner shaved off because it protruded into the tunnel and was frequently snagging trailers, campers etc.). These photos were taken at least a year ago. 2) The photos are labeled ferry7 through 11, with #9 missing. I'd like to see 1-6 and 9 just to get a better idea of the weather conditions. But, with the images provided, it honestly looks to me like what is happening here is that the Elwha is running with the seas, and the bow has just caught up with the wave in front of the vessel as the boat is running slightly faster than the sea. If the boat is moving just a little faster than the waves, it invites a tremendous amount of water on deck (the Elwha has a little less freeboard than other Supers). It's not a comfortable position to run in during heavy weather, but occasionally it happens. Doesn't mean it's any fun. 3) The Bicycle Question. I can't think of an occasion where this has been a heavy weather concern... who is riding a bicycle when it's that miserable out? 4) Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially in Haro Strait. We take every precaution to provide a safe and comfortable ride for our passengers, but sometimes we get caught out in it. I personally don't enjoy heavy weather, especially on the Elwha, but I will do everything I can to avoid beating up the boat and its cargo. As I once said to my captain, "if there's a flat spot out in this mess somewhere, you can rest assured I'll find it."
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Dec 14, 2014 10:50:48 GMT -8
3) The Bicycle Question. I can't think of an occasion where this has been a heavy weather concern... who is riding a bicycle when it's that miserable out? I am! As long as there's not too much wind, riding when it's raining is a lot of fun. Seriously, you'd be amazed at how many people get out there when it's raining. Perhaps not on the international run, but on commuter routes I doubt you'd see a huge decrease in bikes.
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Post by northwesterner on Dec 14, 2014 22:49:21 GMT -8
4) Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially in Haro Strait. We take every precaution to provide a safe and comfortable ride for our passengers, but sometimes we get caught out in it. I personally don't enjoy heavy weather, especially on the Elwha, but I will do everything I can to avoid beating up the boat and its cargo. As I once said to my captain, "if there's a flat spot out in this mess somewhere, you can rest assured I'll find it." A little background... For years I drove charter buses out of Seattle. In the winter time a good portion of our business is ski charters in additional to all the regular charters trips over the passes. I used to relish the hardest, most difficult ski charters into the worst weather. I used to grab a group that went to Mt. Baker, and had another where I was the Stevens Pass Employee Shuttle, going up the hill at a time of the morning when plows were infrequent. While I would prefer a clear sky, calm weather day to a nasty one, I didn't run from them, either. Why? I loved the sense of accomplishment that came from using all my training and experience to get the job done. When I later moved into a management position, I wanted drivers that had the same perspective I did when I was making the assignments. A few years ago, Alaska Airlines had a small fleet of 8 737-200 Combi passenger/cargo aircraft. These exclusively used Anchorage based pilots, and regularly flew into the smallest and worst weather airports that Alaska Airlines served. Because they were an older generation of 737, the pilots for these aircraft could not operate the newer aircraft in the fleet. When the planes were retired, this group of pilots made the front page of the Wall Street Journal, expressing their dismay at losing that fleet. Why? These guys absolutely loved flying in the toughest, worst conditions, and the personal satisfaction they received from serving these isolating communities in the toughest conditions by putting every ounce of their training on display, every day. With the retirement of the fleet, they were going fly the newest 737s with everyone else, which meant they might have to fly a trip to Boston or San Diego, something they had no interest in doing. They only wanted the toughest jobs on their schedule. (Follow this link, then copy the headline and paste it into google. Its behind a paywall but you can access it if you click on it through a google search. www.wsj.com/articles/SB117642845035668637). I'm curious how your colleagues view these bad weather days on the water? Does everyone have the same perspective that you do? Or do you work with other colleagues who genuinely look forward to the bad weather days?
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