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Post by avgeekjoe on Jan 29, 2021 1:55:30 GMT -8
From this week's WSF newsletter: Figured this should be posted here. I suspect this is WSF's way of saying they expect "the U.S.-Canada border closed" until British Columbia is vaccinated as per the BC schedule. Heartbreaking but 100% understandable. I intend to visit in mid-October anyway. |
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Post by pacificcat99 on Jan 29, 2021 10:33:58 GMT -8
Canada also just today put in place many new restrictions for international travel including mandatory testing at the travellers cost upon arrival (even if you are a Canadian citizen returning) and a mandatory 2-3 day quarantine at the travellers expense. Officials are trying to reduce travel and spread of potential variants as much as possible (especially because many Canadians travelled abroad over winter break and they don't want a repeat over spring break [not all Canadians are perfect  ] Stay patient avgeekjoe. Travel will be back eventually. |
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Post by avgeekjoe on Jan 29, 2021 10:52:10 GMT -8
Canada also just today put in place many new restrictions for international travel including mandatory testing at the travellers cost upon arrival (even if you are a Canadian citizen returning) and a mandatory 2-3 day quarantine at the travellers expense. Officials are trying to reduce travel and spread of potential variants as much as possible (especially because many Canadians travelled abroad over winter break and they don't want a repeat over spring break [not all Canadians are perfect ] Stay patient avgeekjoe. Travel will be back eventually. Agreed, I value the lives of my Canadian friends. |
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Post by northwesterner on Jan 29, 2021 20:03:11 GMT -8
From this week's WSF newsletter: Figured this should be posted here. I suspect this is WSF's way of saying they expect "the U.S.-Canada border closed" until British Columbia is vaccinated as per the BC schedule. Heartbreaking but 100% understandable. I intend to visit in mid-October anyway. The BC Schedule for vaccinations is extraordinarily slow. Here's hoping they're really able to pick up the pace a month or two from now and get this done long before autumn sets in. I know our rollout has had plenty of problems in the US (particularly here in LA County where the public health bureaucracy can't stay out of its own way), but our nationwide vaccination rate is 4x Canada's... The economic impact of keeping the borders closed, and missing out on another summer tourism season, is unimaginable. |
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Post by Dane on Feb 1, 2021 22:33:05 GMT -8
September 26 is interestingly the presumed last day of BC's initial vaccine push out (it's a Sunday) and then move to sustainment after that. Wonder if that was coincidence, it must be? In any event even with our current challenges in vaccination delivery for Canada I am still quote optimistic that will ease significantly running into the summer months. Seems unimaginable to have any meaningful tourism economy for summer 2021 in BC, though. I figure this summer will look a lot like the last? I found it tolerable, albeit not ideal.
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Post by Kahloke on Feb 4, 2021 5:53:54 GMT -8
September 26 is interestingly the presumed last day of BC's initial vaccine push out (it's a Sunday) and then move to sustainment after that. Wonder if that was coincidence, it must be? In any event even with our current challenges in vaccination delivery for Canada I am still quote optimistic that will ease significantly running into the summer months. Seems unimaginable to have any meaningful tourism economy for summer 2021 in BC, though. I figure this summer will look a lot like the last? I found it tolerable, albeit not ideal. Sept 26, or thereabouts, is typically when the WSF summer schedule ends and the fall schedule begins, prior to COVID that is. The transition usually happens on a Sunday, and I see on the calendar this year Sept 26 is a Saturday, so there is some logic in that date. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Feb 4, 2021 22:13:22 GMT -8
September 26 is interestingly the presumed last day of BC's initial vaccine push out (it's a Sunday) and then move to sustainment after that. Wonder if that was coincidence, it must be? In any event even with our current challenges in vaccination delivery for Canada I am still quote optimistic that will ease significantly running into the summer months. Seems unimaginable to have any meaningful tourism economy for summer 2021 in BC, though. I figure this summer will look a lot like the last? I found it tolerable, albeit not ideal. Sept 26, or thereabouts, is typically when the WSF summer schedule ends and the fall schedule begins, prior to COVID that is. The transition usually happens on a Sunday, and I see on the calendar this year Sept 26 is a Saturday, so there is some logic in that date. But is worth it to run the route just for few months? I doubt the route will return this year because budget concerns for the super low amount of passengers on routes. |
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Post by avgeekjoe on Feb 5, 2021 3:34:49 GMT -8
Sept 26, or thereabouts, is typically when the WSF summer schedule ends and the fall schedule begins, prior to COVID that is. The transition usually happens on a Sunday, and I see on the calendar this year Sept 26 is a Saturday, so there is some logic in that date. But is worth it to run the route just for few months? I doubt the route will return this year because budget concerns for the super low amount of passengers on routes. I heard last night on a WSF webinar senior WSF leaders are still going to try for this date, but that Canada just closed itself off to cruise ships until February 2022. Real worried about the prospects of both an Anacortes-Sidney & Victoria Clipper restart this year. I share WSF's optimism and hope they do restart, if for no other reason than to allow friends to visit friends post-pandemic and give some economic aid to our communities. My heart goes out to those impacted by the Covid19 medical-economic crisis. So, so important to mask up. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Feb 5, 2021 23:10:44 GMT -8
But is worth it to run the route just for few months? I doubt the route will return this year because budget concerns for the super low amount of passengers on routes. I heard last night on a WSF webinar senior WSF leaders are still going to try for this date, but that Canada just closed itself off to cruise ships until February 2022. Real worried about the prospects of both an Anacortes-Sidney & Victoria Clipper restart this year. I share WSF's optimism and hope they do restart, if for no other reason than to allow friends to visit friends post-pandemic and give some economic aid to our communities. My heart goes out to those impacted by the Covid19 medical-economic crisis. So, so important to mask up. But Canadian Government would need to reopen the border or agree to open marine-time links from Washington to Vancouver Island which I doubt that they will because Canadian Government is going more strict with border. |
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Post by avgeekjoe on Feb 5, 2021 23:24:16 GMT -8
Right Blue Bus Fan, all depends on the vaccination progress.
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Post by northwesterner on Feb 6, 2021 12:42:51 GMT -8
Right Blue Bus Fan, all depends on the vaccination progress. If Canada can't pick up the pace this is going to be a long border closure. |
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Post by paulvanb on Feb 6, 2021 12:52:43 GMT -8
Right Blue Bus Fan, all depends on the vaccination progress. If Canada can't pick up the pace this is going to be a long border closure. Send us vaccines!!! |
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Post by EGfleet on Aug 12, 2021 15:38:19 GMT -8
Not that this is terribly surprising, but WSF just tweeted: "With an unclear opening of the maritime border between the U.S. and Canada, and ongoing crewing and vessel availability challenges, we made the difficult decision to delay resumption of our Sidney, British Columbia service until 2022."
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Post by paulvanb on Aug 12, 2021 16:17:13 GMT -8
Not that this is terribly surprising, but WSF just tweeted: "With an unclear opening of the maritime border between the U.S. and Canada, and ongoing crewing and vessel availability challenges, we made the difficult decision to delay resumption of our Sidney, British Columbia service until 2022."
Somehow, I don't think that was a hard decision to make.  |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Feb 17, 2022 22:28:01 GMT -8
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Mar 8, 2022 16:19:30 GMT -8
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/washington-state-axes-anacortes-sidney-route-for-this-spring-and-summer-5136429"Washington State Ferries will not operate its Anacortes-to-Sidney ferry this spring or summer because of lack of crew. John Vezina, the organization’s government relations director, said in a statement that it was forced to make a decision on its lone international route this week since it was about to publish its reservations schedule for April through June." Unsurprising to see the route unavailable for the spring or the summer. Focus on domestic service resumption needs to remain a priority, that and the Chelan is not actively certified for the route anyways, so that has to happen again. Hopeful that we can still see it return eventually. This meaning that the upcoming Spring '22 schedule will mirror that of the Fall 21' schedule with the #1 vessel doing domestic runs to Friday Harbor and Lopez during the morning and early afternoon.
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Post by Luke on Mar 8, 2022 19:18:34 GMT -8
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/washington-state-axes-anacortes-sidney-route-for-this-spring-and-summer-5136429"Washington State Ferries will not operate its Anacortes-to-Sidney ferry this spring or summer because of lack of crew. John Vezina, the organization’s government relations director, said in a statement that it was forced to make a decision on its lone international route this week since it was about to publish its reservations schedule for April through June." Unsurprising to see the route unavailable for the spring or the summer. Focus on domestic service resumption needs to remain a priority, that and the Chelan is not actively certified for the route anyways, so that has to happen again. Hopeful that we can still see it return eventually. This meaning that the upcoming Spring '22 schedule will mirror that of the Fall 21' schedule with the #1 vessel doing domestic runs to Friday Harbor and Lopez during the morning and early afternoon. Wholly expected, given the current state of affairs. You say Chelan is not "actively certified"- I'm curious as to where you heard that? It would not surprise me if her SOLAS certification has been allowed to lapse, but this is the first I've heard anything concrete to that effect. |
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 9, 2022 8:02:07 GMT -8
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/washington-state-axes-anacortes-sidney-route-for-this-spring-and-summer-5136429"Washington State Ferries will not operate its Anacortes-to-Sidney ferry this spring or summer because of lack of crew. John Vezina, the organization’s government relations director, said in a statement that it was forced to make a decision on its lone international route this week since it was about to publish its reservations schedule for April through June." Unsurprising to see the route unavailable for the spring or the summer. Focus on domestic service resumption needs to remain a priority, that and the Chelan is not actively certified for the route anyways, so that has to happen again. Hopeful that we can still see it return eventually. This meaning that the upcoming Spring '22 schedule will mirror that of the Fall 21' schedule with the #1 vessel doing domestic runs to Friday Harbor and Lopez during the morning and early afternoon. Wholly expected, given the current state of affairs. You say Chelan is not "actively certified"- I'm curious as to where you heard that? It would not surprise me if her SOLAS certification has been allowed to lapse, but this is the first I've heard anything concrete to that effect. It wouldn't surprise me if the international route doesn't resume until spring of 2023. |
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Neil
Voyager 
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Post by Neil on Dec 10, 2022 21:12:05 GMT -8
The Times-Colonist's Jack Knox, with a look at the suspended Sidney to Anacortes route. Can't say I think the outlook is very bright. Publicly run transportation agencies have to concentrate on essential services, and the argument for this route is rather fraught with very disputable data. The other thought I have on this is how we as ferry fans have so much affection for ancient vessels. In Europe, there is no such thing as a fifty year old ferry, at least not on a high profile route as this. You simply cannot put your faith in half century old steel vessels navigating in salt water. It's not sustainable. www.timescolonist.com/local-news/jack-knox-sidney-anacortes-ferry-grounded-by-shortage-of-crew-and-vessels-6228010 |
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Post by Kahloke on Dec 11, 2022 17:09:49 GMT -8
The Times-Colonist's Jack Knox, with a look at the suspended Sidney to Anacortes route. Can't say I think the outlook is very bright. Publicly run transportation agencies have to concentrate on essential services, and the argument for this route is rather fraught with very disputable data. The other thought I have on this is how we as ferry fans have so much affection for ancient vessels. In Europe, there is no such thing as a fifty year old ferry, at least not on a high profile route as this. You simply cannot put your faith in half century old steel vessels navigating in salt water. It's not sustainable. www.timescolonist.com/local-news/jack-knox-sidney-anacortes-ferry-grounded-by-shortage-of-crew-and-vessels-6228010With no relief in the immediate future for the vessel shortage issue, to say nothing of the crew shortage problems, I think it would be unwise to commit to reopening Sidney until WSF gets some new boats. The Times Colonist article said 2026 is the earliest for the next new-build. I've heard 2027, so that's pretty far out there on the timeline. Now would be a good time to kill the route permanently if that is an option. Year-round 4-boat schedules appear to be working for Anacortes-San Juan Islands without Sidney in the mix. At the very least, the crewing and vessel shortages buys the agency time to keep punting the Sidney reopening down the road until such a time when there are adequate resources to cover the route. |
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Post by paulvanb on Dec 14, 2022 22:52:52 GMT -8
The Times-Colonist's Jack Knox, with a look at the suspended Sidney to Anacortes route. Can't say I think the outlook is very bright. Publicly run transportation agencies have to concentrate on essential services, and the argument for this route is rather fraught with very disputable data. The other thought I have on this is how we as ferry fans have so much affection for ancient vessels. In Europe, there is no such thing as a fifty year old ferry, at least not on a high profile route as this. You simply cannot put your faith in half century old steel vessels navigating in salt water. It's not sustainable. www.timescolonist.com/local-news/jack-knox-sidney-anacortes-ferry-grounded-by-shortage-of-crew-and-vessels-6228010With no relief in the immediate future for the vessel shortage issue, to say nothing of the crew shortage problems, I think it would be unwise to commit to reopening Sidney until WSF gets some new boats. The Times Colonist article said 2026 is the earliest for the next new-build. I've heard 2027, so that's pretty far out there on the timeline. Now would be a good time to kill the route permanently if that is an option. Year-round 4-boat schedules appear to be working for Anacortes-San Juan Islands without Sidney in the mix. At the very least, the crewing and vessel shortages buys the agency time to keep punting the Sidney reopening down the road until such a time when there are adequate resources to cover the route. Such a sad state of affairs right now. I drove past the Sidney terminal during the summer. The vacant terminal is heartbreaking to see. |
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Post by SeahawkNERD8275 on Dec 16, 2022 13:11:42 GMT -8
What is going to be on the route besides the chelan
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Post by pacificcat99 on Dec 16, 2022 23:01:42 GMT -8
What is going to be on the route besides the chelan It is my understanding that the Chelan is the ONLY Washington State Ferries vessel that has the SOLAS requirements to transit in Canadian waters and hence the only ship capable of working the international route. Hopefully WSF is able to ramp up shipbuilding to get the vessels it desperately needs and will be able to refit another vessel for SOLAS to run between Sidney and Anacortes. |
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Post by SeahawkNERD8275 on Dec 17, 2022 20:59:49 GMT -8
They could upgrade the chelan
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Post by Kahloke on Dec 18, 2022 7:15:55 GMT -8
They could upgrade the chelan Chelan was upgraded back in 2001. That's when they put in her upper car deck ramp, and I think when the modifications to make her SOLAS-compliant occurred; not exactly sure on that one. At this point, the vessel is now over 40 years old. any further "upgrades" would only be done to satisfy new SOLAS requirements. As for the next newbuilds, it's hard to say at this point if Wishkah or the one after Wishkah will be built to SOLAS standards or not. The 2018 long range plan showed the next two newbuilds as NOT being equipped to run the international route, but a lot has changed since that plan was drafted. |
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