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Post by Kahloke on May 11, 2022 14:27:26 GMT -8
Is putting the Skeena Queen (92 AEQ) on Route 23 - Campbell River plausible for a ten minute passage and try for 30 min turnarounds? A sailing every 30 min from each Terminal? When you do the numbers it works and there would never be a sailing waits in the foreseeable future. The problem, perhaps is Car Park Containment Areas? Do you mean Skeena Queen in addition to an Island Class vessel, or just Skeena providing a single-vessel service? I don't think 30 minutes from each side is achievable with a single vessel. Hypothetical: Skeena departs Campbell River at 08:00, arrives Quadra at 08:10 - leaves Quadra at 08:20, arrives back at Campbell River 08:30 - departs Campbell river at 08:40.......so it's more like departures every 40 minutes, and that's with a 10 minute dwell time at each end, which I'm not sure is realistic with a 92 car vessel, or is it? My other question is, what happens to Route 4 without Skeena Queen? What replaces her there?
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Neil
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Post by Neil on May 12, 2022 9:09:29 GMT -8
I checked it out two weeks ago and the Crew seems pleased. The problem, because of the lack of Crew some are tired of 13 hr days. That's why they tie up the one vessel too early, around 1700 -1800. Need more crew for the Summer Peak Season. Thursday night of the Easter Long Weekend, ugly for that very reason. It was suggested they regularly pack 50 vehicles on new vessels. Some Patrons get freaked about the overhead lounge ramp and won't go up there. Especially those with mobility issues. It seems the Two Ferry Service gets a Two Thumbs up. More frequency means less traffic gridlock and sailing waits. Nice! Is putting the Skeena Queen (92 AEQ) on Route 23 - Campbell River plausible for a ten minute passage and try for 30 min turnarounds? A sailing every 30 min from each Terminal? When you do the numbers it works and there would never be a sailing waits in the foreseeable future. The problem, perhaps is Car Park Containment Areas? We've been over this before. The main reason BC Ferries went to two boat service at Quadra is the inability to expand the vehicle compound. Supporting reasons would be the amount of time needed to load and unload a larger vessel on a run that's barely ten minutes, and the wishes of residents. Since BC Ferries uses the size of a Ford F150 as their yardstick for measuring capacity, I wouldn't be surprised if they regularly put 55 cars onto a vessel with an official capacity of 47. The Denman cable ferry has a listed capacity of 45- The record, as of a couple of years ago, was 57.
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Post by explorer on May 16, 2022 7:27:20 GMT -8
We've been over this before. The main reason BC Ferries went to two boat service at Quadra is the inability to expand the vehicle compound. Supporting reasons would be the amount of time needed to load and unload a larger vessel on a run that's barely ten minutes, and the wishes of residents. Since BC Ferries uses the size of a Ford F150 as their yardstick for measuring capacity, I wouldn't be surprised if they regularly put 55 cars onto a vessel with an official capacity of 47. The Denman cable ferry has a listed capacity of 45- The record, as of a couple of years ago, was 57. You're the perfect advocate to the New BC Ferry Authority on our behalf regarding a Two Ferry Service on Route 4 and 6 during Peak Demand. Route 6 - MV Quinsam 63 AEQ - Vesuvius Bay Parking Containment Area - 45 AEQ - Crofton - 38 AEQ Route 4 - MV Skeena Queen 92 AEQ - Fulford Hrb Containment Area - 60 AEQ (on a good day). Traffic Gridlock, One Way Gauntlets seriously prevent Terminal Drop Offs and first responders at all 3 Terminals. Total disregard for Public Safety. Hornby Island went Public on CBC and CHEX 6 and low and behold have been blessed with the MV Quinitsa for the Peak Demand Season. ~100 increase in uplift capacity. The truly interesting part, the Corporation will spend $100 Million for two vessels at Campbell River - Quadra, plus infrastructure costs but refuse to spend a nickel on Parking Containment Areas which date back to the 70's at most Terminals. The least subsidized Route in the whole of Intra Island Services last year was Route 6 at ~ $205/Capita. The next is Route 4. Both are desperately underserved during Peak Demand.
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on May 16, 2022 8:38:23 GMT -8
"We've been over this before. The main reason BC Ferries went to two boat service at Quadra is the inability to expand the vehicle compound. Supporting reasons would be the amount of time needed to load and unload a larger vessel on a run that's barely ten minutes, and the wishes of residents. Since BC Ferries uses the size of a Ford F150 as their yardstick for measuring capacity, I wouldn't be surprised if they regularly put 55 cars onto a vessel with an official capacity of 47. The Denman cable ferry has a listed capacity of 45- The record, as of a couple of years ago, was 57."
You're the perfect advocate to the New BC Ferry Authority on our behalf regarding a Two Ferry Service on Route 4 and 6 during Peak Demand. Route 6 - MV Quinsam 63 AEQ - Vesuvius Bay Parking Containment Area - 45 AEQ - Crofton - 38 AEQ Route 4 - MV Skeena Queen 92 AEQ - Fulford Hrb Containment Area - 60 AEQ (on a good day). Traffic Gridlock, One Way Gauntlets seriously prevent Terminal Drop Offs and first responders at all 3 Terminals. Total disregard for Public Safety. Hornby Island went Public on CBC and CHEX 6 and low and behold have been blessed with the MV Quinitsa for the Peak Demand Season. ~100 increase in uplift capacity. The truly interesting part, the Corporation will spend $100 Million for two vessels at Campbell River - Quadra, plus infrastructure costs but refuse to spend a nickel on Parking Containment Areas which date back to the 70's at most Terminals. The least subsidized Route in the whole of Intra Island Services last year was Route 6 at ~ $205/Capita. The next is Route 4. Both are desperately underserved during Peak Demand. Where do you get your information about Hornby getting Quinitsa for the summer?
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Post by explorer on May 17, 2022 9:33:31 GMT -8
"Where do you get your information about Hornby getting Quinitsa for the summer?"
Good Question.
When I asked those affected last week on Hornby, the answer was - "We don't know" - "BCF Mgt was non-committal".
Forgive me, an assumption on my part. Is the regular vessel being repaired and The Q will be changed once ready?
The Quinitsa was supposed to provide extra uplift this Summer from Fulford Hbr to Swartz Bay thru a Service Request actioned last June by the SSI - FAC. When the 9 Member BCF Team showed up on Salt Spring on May 3, 2022 for the first time in a very long time, it was sincerely appreciated. The question was raised vociferously by one of the SS FAC Member's - "Will the Quinitsa be providing extra sailings from Fulford Hbr this Summer?" - "BCF Mgt was non-committal".
The Bulletin Board read capacity up 45% on Route 6 with the introduction of the MV Quinsam. What they failed to mention is capacity is up 3% or 2 AEQ/Vehicles over the last 3 Summers while using the Bowen Queen. A misleading point they make to Minister Rob Fleming as well.
Then they announced the Quinitsa is back after Thanksgiving Weekend while the Quinsam goes in for refit. Which solicited a round of sighs.
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Post by Departure Bay on Jun 6, 2022 18:49:14 GMT -8
Looks like the Queen of Alberni is going to be on the Departure Bay - Horseshoe Bay starting on June 23, while the Duke Point run will be served by the Coastal Inspiration and Coastal Renaissance. This is unusual, isn't it? I thought I have read on here that there is no crew for the Coastal class ferries that have their home base in Tsawwassen? I also haven't seen the Queen of Alberni on a regular basis in Departure Bay since I moved here in 2017, only occasionally when Duke Point is unavailable for some reason.
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Post by 1foot2ships on Jun 10, 2022 23:23:40 GMT -8
When I first read your post, I wasn't sure if any of what you wrote had any truth, you asked yourself if swapping the Alberni for a Coastal would be highly unusual or not.
I have reason to believe now, that everything you said is/will be 100% correct.
As for that bit about TSW not trained on the Coastals, you are again correct. Their home ports are SWB, DP and DB - don't ask me which one sleeps where. It shouldn't be that difficult, but I have no clue how TSW plans to train their Alberni watches in time, in this environment. FWIW, the Coastal watches jumping the other way to the Alberni won't be that difficult considering they all usually work on the Cowichan/Coquitlam.
... but if the math adds up the way you are saying, that means this summer of revenge travel will see - route 30 with 2 of the Coastals - route 2 with the Oak Bay, the Alberni, the Cowichan/Coquitlam FT, the other PT - route 3 with the Surrey plus the other Cowichan/Coquitlam doing the L route
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 11, 2022 0:44:41 GMT -8
I have no clue how BCF plans to train 4 watches in this current environment, and in time. ... but if the math adds up the way you are saying, that means this summer of revenge travel will see - route 30 with 2 of the Coastals - route 2 with the Oak Bay, the Alberni, the Cowichan/Coquitlam FT, the other PT - route 3 with the Surrey plus the other Cowichan/Coquitlam doing the L route I don’t think L-runs exist in summer because Queen of Coquitlam is based out of Langdale along with Queen of Surrey.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 11, 2022 20:16:42 GMT -8
It seems like when Gabriola Island goes down to one boat service the one vessel fills up completely full which seems very unsustainable in all long run. I wonder when BC Ferries will increase hours for second vessel to help out with capacity.
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Jun 11, 2022 21:17:38 GMT -8
It seems like when Gabriola Island goes down to one boat service the one vessel fills up completely full which seems very unsustainable in all long run. I wonder when BC Ferries will increase hours for second vessel to help out with capacity. You need to let us know what your source is for the capacity issue.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 11, 2022 21:32:50 GMT -8
It seems like when Gabriola Island goes down to one boat service the one vessel fills up completely full which seems very unsustainable in all long run. I wonder when BC Ferries will increase hours for second vessel to help out with capacity. You need to let us know what your source is for the capacity issue. I have seen happen a couple of times.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Jun 12, 2022 8:43:27 GMT -8
I have no clue how BCF plans to train 4 watches in this current environment, and in time. ... but if the math adds up the way you are saying, that means this summer of revenge travel will see - route 30 with 2 of the Coastals - route 2 with the Oak Bay, the Alberni, the Cowichan/Coquitlam FT, the other PT - route 3 with the Surrey plus the other Cowichan/Coquitlam doing the L route I don’t think L-runs exist in summer because Queen of Coquitlam is based out of Langdale along with Queen of Surrey. They don't exist in the summer, only on the weird shoulder schedule in March-ish. And I thought we confirmed the Alberni sailings on Route 2 in March as well?
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 12, 2022 11:04:57 GMT -8
I don’t think L-runs exist in summer because Queen of Coquitlam is based out of Langdale along with Queen of Surrey. They don't exist in the summer, only on the weird shoulder schedule in March-ish. And I thought we confirmed the Alberni sailings on Route 2 in March as well? Let’s be honest, we need to see if actually happens because service notices seem to be swapping vessels in & out couple of times.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 12, 2022 18:13:56 GMT -8
I think route 30 should switch to summer schedule early June or late May to help reduce wait times on Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay and Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay routes because I have notice that ferries are fuller compared to normal.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 21, 2022 11:55:11 GMT -8
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Post by hwy19man on Jun 21, 2022 13:26:18 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 21, 2022 13:49:10 GMT -8
That next week that seem to change because those sailing have been added back. When last time I checked the summer schedule for route 1 it had Queen of New Westminster going all day.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 21, 2022 20:59:42 GMT -8
I cannot believe that BC Ferries is planning only twelve return trips on route one for virtually every day this upcoming summer. Outside of our recent covid era, I don't think there's been such a sparse schedule since the earliest days of the system, circa 1962. I suppose it's the usual problem of a lack of qualified crew. The backups this summer will be dreadful, and the usual advice of reserving to be sure doesn't work anymore with all the cancellations. Yikes.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 21, 2022 23:40:33 GMT -8
I cannot believe that BC Ferries is planning only twelve return trips on route one for virtually every day this upcoming summer. Outside of our recent covid era, I don't think there's been such a sparse schedule since the earliest days of the system, circa 1962. I suppose it's the usual problem of a lack of qualified crew. The backups this summer will be dreadful, and the usual advice of reserving to be sure doesn't work anymore with all the cancellations. Yikes. Now I am extremely confused because reservations page does say Queen of New Westminster will operate normally compared to what I am getting from schedule page.
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 24, 2022 7:44:04 GMT -8
I cannot believe that BC Ferries is planning only twelve return trips on route one for virtually every day this upcoming summer. Outside of our recent covid era, I don't think there's been such a sparse schedule since the earliest days of the system, circa 1962. I suppose it's the usual problem of a lack of qualified crew. The backups this summer will be dreadful, and the usual advice of reserving to be sure doesn't work anymore with all the cancellations. Yikes. Now I am extremely confused because reservations page does say Queen of New Westminster will operate normally compared to what I am getting from schedule page. I'm finding it odd that there is still no sign of the New West's sailings on route 1 after June 30, but they are still showing up (and bookable) on the reservations page. I understand the crew shortage issue, but if they can still operate at least some of her sailings this week you'd think they'd be able to continue doing so for the rest of the summer. Unless, that is, they're going to be "losing" more crew in the upcoming weeks.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 24, 2022 8:03:51 GMT -8
Now I am extremely confused because reservations page does say Queen of New Westminster will operate normally compared to what I am getting from schedule page. I'm finding it odd that there is still no sign of the New West's sailings on route 1 after June 30, but they are still showing up (and bookable) on the reservations page. I understand the crew shortage issue, but if they can still operate at least some of her sailings this week you'd think they'd be able to continue doing so for the rest of the summer. Unless, that is, they're going to be "losing" more crew in the upcoming weeks. But I would think there would be service notice saying modified service on Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay like there doing on Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay to Langdale routes.
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 24, 2022 18:53:41 GMT -8
I'm finding it odd that there is still no sign of the New West's sailings on route 1 after June 30, but they are still showing up (and bookable) on the reservations page. I understand the crew shortage issue, but if they can still operate at least some of her sailings this week you'd think they'd be able to continue doing so for the rest of the summer. Unless, that is, they're going to be "losing" more crew in the upcoming weeks. But I would think there would be service notice saying modified service on Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay like there doing on Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay to Langdale routes. The reservation pages have now been updated...no QoNW sailings.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 24, 2022 19:29:12 GMT -8
But I would think there would be service notice saying modified service on Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay like there doing on Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay to Langdale routes. The reservation pages have now been updated...no QoNW sailings. Hopefully this will change sometime soon because route 1 vessels will all be 100% full on all sailing.
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 28, 2022 19:00:42 GMT -8
Both the reservation and schedule pages were updated today showing that the QoNW's summer sailings have been reinstated stating this Thursday.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 28, 2022 20:20:01 GMT -8
Both the reservation and schedule pages were updated today showing that the QoNW's summer sailings have been reinstated stating this Thursday. I wonder why they where cancelled in first place?
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