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Post by canadian on Nov 26, 2009 12:46:27 GMT -8
Wouldn't the cost savings of having no ferries make up for the tolls?
As well does everyone that crosses this bridge really pay? I see numerous vehicles with that clear cover across license plates and even though it is illegal in BC I see more and more vehicles with their front plate removed.
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Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
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Post by Quatchi on Nov 26, 2009 15:32:34 GMT -8
And the cameras can get both your plates as well I believe, so no front plate will not help you.
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Post by Barnacle on Nov 27, 2009 7:36:55 GMT -8
^What he said. Mythbusters devoted a good chunk of an episode to this issue, and absolutely NOTHING short of physically obscuring the plate with a non-transparent substance will work.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 5, 2009 9:51:49 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 6, 2009 13:18:27 GMT -8
Regarding the Vanninian quote:
For this scenario, living on an island without ferry service would mean that you'd be willing to have most of your life activities at home on the island. You would not be living a lifestyle of daily / weekly travel. The activity of going-to-town would be a rare event.
For such a person to survive and thrive in that setting, she/he would maybe be single, or a couple that was very much on the same page regarding the choice of lifestyle. Of course, if you add children, the pull of the outside world could be a distraction as the kids might be wired to be city-folk instead of island-folk. (I suppose there's a nature vs nurture debate there, about islander kids who want to be city kids instead).
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 6, 2009 19:55:37 GMT -8
Regarding the Vanninian quote: For this scenario, living on an island without ferry service would mean that you'd be willing to have most of your life activities at home on the island. You would not be living a lifestyle of daily / weekly travel. The activity of going-to-town would be a rare event. For such a person to survive and thrive in that setting, she/he would maybe be single, or a couple that was very much on the same page regarding the choice of lifestyle. Of course, if you add children, the pull of the outside world could be a distraction as the kids might be wired to be city-folk instead of island-folk. (I suppose there's a nature vs nurture debate there, about islander kids who want to be city kids instead). I can't help thinking that remark about sustainability must have been a misquote, or a mistaken turn of phrase. Clearly, without ferries, life on the coastal islands wouldn't be sustainable at all for the vast majority of residents. Businesses would close, supplies for daily life would be largely unattainable, and necessary connections to larger centres would be severed. He must have been talking about how resourceful some people in small communities need to be, and how that would be drastically more necessary without ferry connections.
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ProudCanuck
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Post by ProudCanuck on Dec 15, 2009 10:18:23 GMT -8
And the cameras can get both your plates as well I believe, so no front plate will not help you. Here is a portion of an artilcle on the buzzer blog outlining the operation of the Quickpass program on the GEB. In another area of the office, five staff members examine license plate photos that the Quickpass system has flagged for review.
Quickpass takes 24 photos of every car that crosses the bridge (12 of the front and 12 of the back!), and uses optical character recognition technology to “read” the license from the photos.
If the system is unsure that the front and back plates match—or if there is a match, but the car isn’t registered in the system—a reviewer will take a look and confirm the license plate number.
Oddly enough, the reviewers are currently looking at high number of photos because most people aren’t registered with Quickpass.
Out of 300,000 accounts in the Quickpass system, 266,000 are unregistered customers. That means almost everyone is paying the highest rate to cross the bridge every time. Also, Quickpass is sending out a lot of paper statements to the unregistered, while people registered with the system can opt for e-bills.Here is the link to the article with photos: buzzer.translink.ca/index.php/2009/11/behind-the-scenes-at-quickpass-the-golden-ears-bridge-tolling-centre/#more-6709
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 19, 2009 13:13:01 GMT -8
A post from the Gabriolan forum:
You’re in Nanaimo, on your way home to Gabriola. You pull up to the ticket booth at the ferry terminal, and what are you thinking?
When it’s our turn, my dog is thinking “This is where they love me!” because the ticket booth staff give dog cookies to every single dog. Every time. And where do the cookies come from? The staff buy them, with their own money.
I think the people who make decisions on behalf of BC Ferries should be replaced. But the staff? I love BC Ferries’ staff. And so does my dog.
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Post by royalroadscaptain on Feb 13, 2010 21:51:59 GMT -8
You're right, Neil. I was trying to make the point that in an ideal world we'd all be more skilled at taking care of ourselves--withing small communities--without overly depending on those that live far from us.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Nov 18, 2010 13:27:24 GMT -8
There's an interesting dialogue on the Bowen Online forum about level of service and other issues around ferries & community. A fair bit of debating nonsense, but still worth a look. Page 2, under 'marshalling'. bowen-island-bc.com/forum/read.php?1,1230363
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 23, 2011 9:12:45 GMT -8
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Apr 14, 2011 10:59:32 GMT -8
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Neil
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Post by Neil on May 11, 2011 12:58:58 GMT -8
Here's something that will prompt many of us to visit the Bowen Island Museum this summer: from a post by 'Museum & Archives' on the Bowen forum:
Anyone who has lived on the island, or even visited has experienced taking the ferry. But, it wasn't that long ago that access to the island was limited. The first car ferry launch was celebrated in 1956, when the dock at Snug Cove was completed. Before that the island was largely a place for pleasure visits and picnics, and had a much smaller permanent population. The museum's upcoming summer exhibit will feature the introduction of the car ferry to Bowen Island, and reflect on how that changed the life and culture of Bowen. Do you remember the early car ferries? The Bainbridge vessel? Black Ball ferry lines or, all-wood constructed boats transporting eager passengers to and from the island? Or, perhaps you have a completely different view of the ferry's impact? On behalf of the museum staff, and board members we would like to put out a call for any stories, pictures, or memories you have of those earlier days, and ask that you come in and share them. Your personal accounts will only serve to enrich the exhibit, and incorporate more of your personal memories into the lasting history of the island. As we venture further into the modern age it is important, and worthwhile to stop and reflect on the past, in attempts to keep it alive and learn from it.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 29, 2011 18:12:51 GMT -8
The Klemtu floating-restaurant. aka "Queen of Chilliwack cafeteria". - it's only open for dinner at Klemtu for 10 Sunday's a year, and it's an early dinner (3:30pm-5:30pm approx) Here, as the ferry arrives in Klemtu in afternoon on Sunday July 10, 2011, we can see locals starting to gather around the terminal. - some are likely meeting passengers who are about to disembark and return home. Others are waiting for dinner on the 'Wack. Once we are securely berthed at downtown Klemtu, we can disembark. Check-out is done at the #1-end gate by the steward. It's good for people to be back home. As the disembarked passengers slowly make their way off the ramp, the dinner line is starting to form in the background. People are hungry, and roast-chicken is on the menu. - approx 125 villagers were served that day. --------- For the other summer days and for all the off-season days, the main new-traditional food source is the Kitasoo band store, where 3 drop-trailers sit outside. - these likely arrive from Port Hardy occasionally during the year.
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mrdot
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Mr. DOT
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Post by mrdot on Jul 29, 2011 21:23:44 GMT -8
:)very interesting material on the wack's interaction with Klemtu, I had forgotten how cavernous the cardeck of the wack was, and she is still plodding along, a bit slowly though! mrdot. :)mrdot.
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Jul 29, 2011 22:04:57 GMT -8
I like insights into the role our ferries play in the communities they serve. Thanks for posting these shots, with your thoughts.
Klemtu has to be the only port in BC Ferries' 51 years where people line up just to get onboard to eat. I wonder how that first came about.
The Queen of Chilliwack, head on with the doors open, doesn't even look like a ferry. It looks like some gigantic container with people inside. Poor thing.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 29, 2011 22:14:55 GMT -8
I like insights into the role our ferries play in the communities they serve. Thanks for posting these shots, with your thoughts. Klemtu has to be the only port in BC Ferries' 51 years where people line up just to get onboard to eat. I wonder how that first came about. The Queen of Chilliwack, head on with the doors open, doesn't even look like a ferry. It looks like some gigantic container with people inside. Poor thing. Thanks. I was looking forward to seeing the Klemtu experience. I didn't see the dining in-action, because I was walking around town during that time, and when I got back on-board, the local diners were just leaving (being asked to leave, multiple times on the ship's public-address system). I think the Klemtu tradition probably started during the first summer in 1996. Klemtu's band (Kitasoo-Xaisxais nations) was quick to embrace tourism and to try to take advantage of the new route-40. So the local leaders probably saw the opportunity very quickly. - that's my guess based on what I know of the community and how they relate to BCFerries.
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Post by Scott on Aug 4, 2011 17:28:16 GMT -8
www.vancouversun.com/Police+apprehend+wanted+Gabriola+Island+after+woman+slain/5202134/story.htmlA tragedy on Gabriola Island yesterday where a man stabbed and killed a 50 year old woman and injured her son. The ferry-related aspect to this is that the ferry was "used" by law enforcement to seal off the island and to monitor who came and left. Would you say that the Gulf Islands are generally safer (less crime) than the more populated parts of Vancouver Island and the Mainland? You often see unmanned stands at the side of the road where people pay for food/product based on the honour system - I suppose it works most of the time, otherwise they wouldn't do it. Does anyone know off-hand which islands have an RCMP detachment? I know Quadra Island does, but I don't believe Cortes has one. Salt Spring obviously does, as does Galiano (I think). I suppose most people may think twice about what they do on an island if they're worried about being caught. Last night I heard on the radio that the Gabriola ferry was off schedule because of emergency vehicles leaving the island. I suppose it was related to this incident. But it reminded me of what my sister said about the Quadra ferry. If an ambulance comes, the ferry leaves right away... even if the boat is half full and leaves cars in the holding area. So, she said, Islanders groan when they hear the siren approaching, knowing they'll have to wait for the next sailing (although I think in the case of Quadra Island, the ferry will shuttle back to pick up those left behind).
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Aug 4, 2011 19:58:46 GMT -8
The thing about our small island communities is that they are so self contained, and so identified by their island-ness. Islanders like to think that the water separates them from some of the evils of society at large, although I think they know that isn't really the case.
When something terrible happens, the grief and the reaction in general can also be very island-centric. If the person is well known, it's like a part of the island itself has been taken away. People see a lot of each other, and there is a sense of community and a sense of belonging that is severely rattled by something like this.
Gabriola had another murder six years ago. Extremely unusual for a peaceful island in the Strait. At least the killer has been apprehended, unlike the murder a couple of years back on Hornby, where people thought they knew the culprit but no arrest was made. I get the sense that the victim there is still very much missed by all.
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KE7JFF
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Post by KE7JFF on Aug 5, 2011 17:22:35 GMT -8
Oh, there's a new twist in that murder! its linked to the previous murder on the Island! www.bclocalnews.com/news/126840393.html"The victim in Wednesday’s killing on Gabriola Island was the common-law wife of the victim in the island’s last murder in April, 2005."
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 5, 2011 20:26:43 GMT -8
Speaking earlier of the ferry's importance to the Klemtu community, here is a video of the ferry's approach into Klemtu. - to give you some more context on the size and location of the ferry-dependent village. - from the route-40 Queen of Chilliwack, on Sunday July 10, 2011. www.facebook.com/v/10150268083713647
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Aug 16, 2011 9:47:12 GMT -8
Bob Cain is a fine Hornby Island photographer who shares his work on his blog: www.rcainphoto.com/category/hornby-island-scenics/ferries/A while back, he posted this interesting account of the early days of the Albert J Savoie's service to the island. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fridays were a good day to go to town, especially in the winter. Since the ferry ran late, you could get in all the shopping needed at the Goodwill, Sally Ann, liquor store, and Safeway, then, maybe catch a meal or even take in a movie before heading back to catch the ten o’clock ferry. At the ferry landing you would run into the other happy shoppers coming back from an exciting day in town. Usually there would be lots of sampling of purchases; those acquired at the liquor store the most popular, especially on a windy blustery winter evening. On one such wintery Friday evening the Albert Savoie entered into service on the Hornby Denman run. The previous ferry had been unable to handle the nasty southeasters that occurred every two or three weeks during the equinoctial periods. Consequently, you never knew if the ferry was going to accommodate your travel plans, especially on Friday nights, when you could have gone to town on a calm day only to find that the evening could blow up a real nasty storm. often you were forced to find accommodation on Denman or, worst yet, go back to Courtenay and find a cheap hotel room. The arrival of the Savoie signaled the introduction of guaranteed foul weather service. This guarantee, however, depended upon the expertise(or lack) of the frail human beings inside the wheel-house. Captain Crunch got his name from his blase attitude to physics and the laws of moving bodies. Visitors to the wheel-house had to remember to terminate their conversations when the boat was nearing the landing , otherwise the captain would quite happily sail onto dry land expressing his opinions as he went. Captain Crunch got lost in the fog one winter night. Perhaps his radar failed or he couldn’t hear Maureen, the ramp attendant on Hornby, blowing her portable foghorn. He ended up at the spit, about two hundred yards from the landing, where he went aground. The locals at the bar knew where they were and had been listening to the plaintive sound of the boats foghorn as it searched through the fog. When they heard the ferry trying to climb the spit some went over to lend a hand. This was when the good captain emerged from the wheel-house, spotted the figures on the beach and uttered the immortal words, “Does anybody know where we are?” Joe Lowery replied “you’re on the goddamn Spit, the landings over there.” and pointed off into the fog. The captain calmly backed off and trundled over to the correct berth. This particular trip took three hours and, needless to say, it is an indelible memory for the unfortunate travellers that night. The captain was of even temperament and never flustered whatever he did to the docks, pilings, and landings. One time, however, his patience was brought to a boil; Alan Jones, first mate at the time, as a demonstration of his strange wit, got down on his knees on the deck in front of the wheel-house and prayed to his personal god to grant them a fair docking. The Captain was enraged. Purple faced, he strode out of the wheel-house and screamed at his first mate that he was fired and should never show his cheeky face on his boat again. An uneasy truce prevailed, however, as the ferry crew was employed by the government and one could not arbitrarily dismiss a member no matter how irreverent.
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Mill Bay
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Long Suffering Bosun
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Post by Mill Bay on Aug 16, 2011 10:18:09 GMT -8
The captain was of even temperament and never flustered whatever he did to the docks, pilings, and landings. One time, however, his patience was brought to a boil; Alan Jones, first mate at the time, as a demonstration of his strange wit, got down on his knees on the deck in front of the wheel-house and prayed to his personal god to grant them a fair docking. The Captain was enraged. Purple faced, he strode out of the wheel-house and screamed at his first mate that he was fired and should never show his cheeky face on his boat again. An uneasy truce prevailed, however, as the ferry crew was employed by the government and one could not arbitrarily dismiss a member no matter how irreverent. [/i][/quote] It sounds like it would have been a lot of fun to take the ferry to Hornby in those days. One of the books on the Union steamships mentions a similar story about a captain who had a particular habit of lapsing into prayer in challenging situations to the point where it was the first mate who had to tell him the ship needed his attention more than the almighty did at that particular moment.
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Post by Scott on Aug 20, 2011 22:18:22 GMT -8
In the "Other Passenger Ferries" thread ( ferriesbc.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=smallbcferries&action=display&thread=7552&page=2) Flugel Horn posted some pictures of the passenger ferry, SCHOLARSHIP that is being used as a passenger ferry between Gabriola Island and Nanaimo Harbour while the vehicle pier is being repaired. But it brings up the issue of ferries being involved in everyday community life, like going to school. In the past I have noticed the SCHOLARSHIP at Sturdies Bay on Galiano Island heading through Active Pass. It must be an interesting way to get to school, and I'm sure must require some very early mornings for students on the Gulf Islands. I'm just looking at the District 64 School Board website and it includes schools on all the main 5 Southern Gulf Islands, and also, oddly, Windsor House school in North Vancouver. The website shows that with the exception of Salt Spring Island, the islands have one K-12 school each. However digging deeper, it seems that the schools on Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saturna are actually only elementary schools. Does anyone know how it works? Do 8-12 students just go certain days of the week and do certain courses at home or through the local school? Or do they go every day? There are two School Ferries: The SCHOLARSHIP leaves Sturdies Bay at 7:42 in the morning, Miners Bay at 7:52, and arrives at Ganges at 8:45. In the afternoon, she leaves Ganges at 4:30, arrives at Sturdies Bay at 5:20, and Miners Bay at 5:28.
The GRADUATE leaves Lyall Harbour at 7:32, Port Washington at 8:00 and arrives at Ganges at 8:40. The afternoon run also leaves Ganges at 4:30, hitting Port Washington at 5:10 and Lyall Harbour at 5:32. And how do other islands operate? I know Bowen Island high school kids use BC Ferries to get to High School in West Van, which is another bus ride after the ferry. Cortes has a K-10 "Cortes Elementary Secondary School". After that, I don't know what they do. Quadra Island has an elementary school, but high school kids go to Campbell River. I think Texada only has an elementary school. Lasqueti Island has a K-12 school, although 9-12 is done with a Distance Education program. Denman Island has an elementary school - where do they go for high school? What's on Hornby Island?
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Aug 21, 2011 10:54:14 GMT -8
By my understanding SGI students all attend Gulf Island Secondary, in Ganges. They have classes 4 days a week instead of 5 because the cost of transportation is so high. Somebody else may be able to answer more specifically than me.
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