|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 23, 2014 18:51:24 GMT -8
The lovely, but small, waiting room at Lopez Island. A reflection of island community.  A historical photo hanging in the Lopez waiting room. I'm thinking this is the Vashon or the Kitsap.  The mass of bicycles and riders cue for their departure.  |
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Jul 23, 2014 19:53:56 GMT -8
A historical photo hanging in the Lopez waiting room. I'm thinking this is the Vashon or the Kitsap. It's Vashon. Great photo! |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 23, 2014 21:16:37 GMT -8
Here's my view of Klahowya's trip from Friday Harbor to Orcas Island, via Wasp Passage.
- morning of July 15, 2014.
My filming challenge was the direction of the sun, hence the video-view that is low to the water.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 23, 2014 22:00:47 GMT -8
...and to continue the inter-island morning journey, here's the portion from Orcas to Shaw to Lopez.
All on Klahowya.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 24, 2014 11:12:10 GMT -8
...and to continue the inter-island morning journey, here's the portion from Orcas to Shaw to Lopez. All on Klahowya. The 6:07 marks of this video shows the evidence of the strong currents near Upright Head, which impact the stern of a vessel in the berth at Lopez Island. Keep in mind that my video is sped-up, but you can see the impact while the ship is still being loaded with traffic. |
|
Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,308
|
Post by Neil on Jul 24, 2014 21:22:01 GMT -8
Mr Horn: your video shows the Klahowya backing out from Lopez even before the ramp is fully raised. Another small example of how- at least it seems to me- WSF gets their vessels in and out of dock faster than BC Ferries does. Have you gotten the same impression on your travels stateside?
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 24, 2014 21:32:33 GMT -8
Mr Horn: your video shows the Klahowya backing out from Lopez even before the ramp is fully raised. Another small example of how- at least it seems to me- WSF gets their vessels in and out of dock faster than BC Ferries does. Have you gotten the same impression on your travels stateside? Yes, they waste no time in pulling away. I noticed this on all my WSF trips. That same video shows how quick and efficient the stop at Shaw Island is. -------------- One of the reasons that they can do this, while BCFerries major ships can't (besides the regulations), is that WSF ships have only one shore ramp. So it is easy for those on-board to see the traffic on the one ramp, and to know when traffic has ended and when the bar has been lowered at the shore-end of the bridge. Multiple-ramps bring added risk of a ship not knowing the traffic-loading situation. But for WSF, the situation is simple, and so they can depart quickly. As for the comparison of minor BCFerries ships to WSF ships, I think the WSF-speed factor is because most (or all) WSF terminals have an on-shore staff person to do the ramp & traffic-bar work. This speeds up the process. - Not that the Kahloke crew member takes a long time to walk from the ship, up the ramp at Shingle Spit, and back to the ship again, but this adds a bit of time. |
|
|
|
Post by northwesterner on Jul 24, 2014 22:45:45 GMT -8
Mr Horn: your video shows the Klahowya backing out from Lopez even before the ramp is fully raised. Another small example of how- at least it seems to me- WSF gets their vessels in and out of dock faster than BC Ferries does. Have you gotten the same impression on your travels stateside? Yes, they waste no time in pulling away. I noticed this on all my WSF trips. That same video shows how quick and efficient the stop at Shaw Island is. -------------- One of the reasons that they can do this, while BCFerries major ships can't (besides the regulations), is that WSF ships have only one shore ramp. So it is easy for those on-board to see the traffic on the one ramp, and to know when traffic has ended and when the bar has been lowered at the shore-end of the bridge. Multiple-ramps bring added risk of a ship not knowing the traffic-loading situation. But for WSF, the situation is simple, and so they can depart quickly. As for the comparison of minor BCFerries ships to WSF ships, I think the WSF-speed factor is because most (or all) WSF terminals have an on-shore staff person to do the ramp & traffic-bar work. This speeds up the process. - Not that the Kahloke crew member takes a long time to walk from the ship, up the ramp at Shingle Spit, and back to the ship again, but this adds a bit of time. WSF is substantially faster at the whole docking thing than BC Ferries. The process is expected to go fast, and generally, there's no messing around. Ferry gets square into the slip, ramps come down, deckhands tie off the lines, gates go up, and passengers start getting off. I find travel on BC Ferries to be painfully slow in comparison. On the Queen of Nanaimo trip a few months back I commented on how long it took to start unloading to some of the other forum members. Like Neil, I also noticed this sequence on your videos. It really is a good illustration for those members that aren't familiar with WSF how quickly the vessels get in and out of the slip. |
|
|
|
Post by Political Incorrectness on Jul 25, 2014 9:27:28 GMT -8
Mr Horn: your video shows the Klahowya backing out from Lopez even before the ramp is fully raised. Another small example of how- at least it seems to me- WSF gets their vessels in and out of dock faster than BC Ferries does. Have you gotten the same impression on your travels stateside? Yes, they waste no time in pulling away. I noticed this on all my WSF trips. That same video shows how quick and efficient the stop at Shaw Island is. -------------- One of the reasons that they can do this, while BCFerries major ships can't (besides the regulations), is that WSF ships have only one shore ramp. So it is easy for those on-board to see the traffic on the one ramp, and to know when traffic has ended and when the bar has been lowered at the shore-end of the bridge. Multiple-ramps bring added risk of a ship not knowing the traffic-loading situation. But for WSF, the situation is simple, and so they can depart quickly. As for the comparison of minor BCFerries ships to WSF ships, I think the WSF-speed factor is because most (or all) WSF terminals have an on-shore staff person to do the ramp & traffic-bar work. This speeds up the process. - Not that the Kahloke crew member takes a long time to walk from the ship, up the ramp at Shingle Spit, and back to the ship again, but this adds a bit of time. One thing I noticed is at Bainbridge Island where the ramp operators are on the vessel, you will notice one person from the car deck will wave when it is clear to depart. Once that is given, it's full ahead. For the major routes in BC and with the two car decks, radio contact along with CCTV confirmation would be required for the main car deck to verify they are ready for departure. To me, the sixty second regulation is a minute of wasted time. Visual and audio confirmation of ramps lifted and cleared should be enough to permit a safe departure. |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 25, 2014 9:54:23 GMT -8
One thing I noticed is at Bainbridge Island where the ramp operators are on the vessel, you will notice one person from the car deck will wave when it is clear to depart. Once that is given, it's full ahead. For the major routes in BC and with the two car decks, radio contact along with CCTV confirmation would be required for the main car deck to verify they are ready for departure. To me, the sixty second regulation is a minute of wasted time. Visual and audio confirmation of ramps lifted and cleared should be enough to permit a safe departure. The 3 people killed in August 1992 at Departure Bay was the main reason for the 60-seconds of flashing red lights. Because of those deaths, I don't think the 60-second wait will ever be changed, even though that was 22 years ago now. |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Jul 25, 2014 12:29:40 GMT -8
What about foot passengers?? I have been on the main bc ferries routes and it takes forever to offload and load it seems! Even the Coho is fast!
|
|
SolDuc
Voyager
West Coast Cyclist
SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
Posts: 2,055
|
Post by SolDuc on Jul 25, 2014 12:38:31 GMT -8
What about foot passengers?? I have been on the main bc ferries routes and it takes forever to offload and load it seems! Even the Coho is fast! Foot passengers only load or unload before or after cars where there's no footie plank and it's quite fast except when they really have a lot of people. When they do have the plank like at Anacortes it goes much faster than BC Ferries because it's much wider, allowing 3-4 people to disembark at the same time instead of 1-2 at BC Ferries. |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Jul 29, 2014 17:56:19 GMT -8
with the BC Day long weekend this coming weekend would Anacortes be busier than usual??? I dont know being it's not a holiday in the US and just in Canada if more Canadians would be going down to the San Juan Islands for the long weekend. Was last years BC Day long weekend busier in the Islands?? Just curious.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Jul 29, 2014 18:48:59 GMT -8
with the BC Day long weekend this coming weekend would Anacortes be busier than usual??? I dont know being it's not a holiday in the US and just in Canada if more Canadians would be going down to the San Juan Islands for the long weekend. Was last years BC Day long weekend busier in the Islands?? Just curious. It's a weekend in the summer, so it will be very busy to be sure. Not sure if there will be a definitive spike in traffic as compared to any other weekend in July and and August. |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 12, 2014 16:01:37 GMT -8
Shaw Island, seen by me from Klahowya on July 15, 2014 A series of views:    The iconic sign  |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 17, 2014 19:53:22 GMT -8
I guess labor day wouldent be a good weekend to go to Anacortes being a long weekend and the last weekend of summer eh?? I might just stick with my plan in going the following weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Aug 18, 2014 3:51:02 GMT -8
I guess labor day wouldent be a good weekend to go to Anacortes being a long weekend and the last weekend of summer eh?? I might just stick with my plan in going the following weekend. Labor Day weekend tends to be somewhat anti-climatic, at least it has in the last several years. Traffic levels do seem to be up this year, however, so I expect Labor Day weekend will be busy, but I'm not sure it will be any busier than a typical weekend in July or early August. If you're not driving on, you shouldn't have any problem making your sailing, and there are plenty of parking options available at Anacortes, so don't let that deter you. Also, if you go on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, traffic won't be nearly as heavy as on the Thursday and Friday leading up to the weekend, and Labor Day Monday, when everyone is trying to leave the islands to go home. Saturday, especially in the afternoon, and Sunday, tend to be quieter days. |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 18, 2014 7:13:30 GMT -8
I just remember the 4th of July weekend this years parking at Anacortes ended up being full! Just wouldent want that to happen! But I was planning to go after Labor Day which might be better!
|
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Aug 18, 2014 7:41:05 GMT -8
I just remember the 4th of July weekend this years parking at Anacortes ended up being full! Just wouldent want that to happen! But I was planning to go after Labor Day which might be better! Labor Day weekend tends to be not quite as busy as the 4th of July weekend, and seriously, even on busy holiday weekends, I have never had a problem parking at Anacortes. Between the terminal lots, and all of the other private lots on the way into the terminal, you'll find something. And, if you go on the Saturday or Sunday of Labor Day weekend, it probably won't be as hectic as the days leading up to it, nor as busy as Monday, the "going home" day. |
|
|
|
Post by Barnacle on Aug 19, 2014 18:45:38 GMT -8
I just remember the 4th of July weekend this years parking at Anacortes ended up being full! Just wouldent want that to happen! But I was planning to go after Labor Day which might be better! Well, no promises, but this weekend coming up--the one before Labor Day (all right, Labour Day, if you must)--has traditionally been "Last Hurrah" weekend. Labor Day is busy, but this one should be the last big crush. BUT... The weekend behind Labor Day will be quieter. |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 19, 2014 19:58:03 GMT -8
Yeah after labor day sounds better for me anyways as it should be quieter. I thought about even doing a mid week but I will have to see as I would need to take time off work lol!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2014 16:10:48 GMT -8
For all of you out there that have not traveled to the San Juans, this is what a typical Friday in Anacortes looks like.
Depart Destination Drive-up Vessel (Pasted at 5:10PM)
06:00 PM Lopez Island -> Friday Harbor
0 Space
Elwha
06:30 PM Shaw Island -> Orcas Island
0 Space
Chelan
08:25 PM Lopez Island -> Friday Harbor
138 Spaces
Yakima
08:55 PM Shaw Island -> Orcas Island
42 Spaces
Chelan
10:30 PM Lopez Island -> Orcas Island -> Friday Harbor
79 Spaces Klahowya
Anacortes – 6:30pm to Shaw & Orcas Full – Now staging 8:55pm to Shaw and Orcas
The 6:30pm sailing from Anacortes to Shaw and Orcas Island is full for vehicle traffic. The next sailing to Shaw and Orcas will be at 8:55pm. Drivers are advised to arrive 2 hours in advance. Walk-on space is available for all departures. Updates will occur as more information becomes available.
Anacortes- 6:00pm to Lopez & Friday Harbor Full. Staging 8:25pm Lopez & FH
The 6:00 pm sailing from Anacortes to Lopez and Friday Harbor is full for vehicle traffic. The Anacortes terminal is now staging for the 8:25pm sailing to Lopez and Friday Harbor. Walk-on space is available for all departures. Updates will occur as more information becomes available.
 
_
|
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Oct 9, 2014 19:25:42 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Oct 9, 2014 19:32:51 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 9, 2014 19:43:22 GMT -8
Anacortes Terminal from above - 5-Oct-2014:  I like this photo for 3 reasons: 1) It's a unique perspective 2) It shows the Ship Harbor Inn (red roof) in relation to the terminal. 3) It shows which parking spaces in the upper-lot are unused on a typical October 5th day. |
|
