Seaspan Ferries - photo & discussion thread

[FNS]

The SEASPAN SWIFT is underway for Cristobal, Panama.  Anchor was weighed and first movement was at 2225PDT.

No more postings from me on this thread until she reaches the continents of the Americas.

www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

[Low Light Mike]

Seaspan will apparently order 3 more ferries from that Turkish yard, per this Motorship magazine story:

Seaspan Ferries takes delivery of LNG hybrid

24 Oct 2016
Vancouver-based ferry operator Seaspan Ferries has taken delivery of the first of five LNG-battery hybrid ferries – the first in North America – from Turkish shipyard Sedef.

Seaspan Swift is powered by two Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines and a 1,050V, 546kWh Corvus Energy Storage System (ESS) consisting of 84 AT6500 advanced lithium polymer batteries. The battery system, integrated with an Elkon power distribution system, will be used as a spinning reserve and for port manoeuvres.

The cargo ferry will be joined by a sister ship in February, after which the operator will order a further three ferries, Seaspan CEO Jonathan Whitworth told The Motorship and other shipping media last week. The 148m vessels, designed by Vard Marine, will have capacity for 60 truck trailers compared to the 30-40 trailer capacity of its existing seven vessels – which have been in service for an average of 36 years.

Seaspan Ferries operates cargo-only services between Vancouver Island and the Canadian mainland, carrying up to 800 trailers a day. The company claims to carry around 60% of all products consumed on the island off the coast of British Columbia.

The Seaspan Group (unrelated to the Vancouver-based containership owner of the same name) also operates Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards. The company chose to have its new ferries built in Turkey as its whole building capacity is currently devoted to fulfilling the non-combat package of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, comprising seven vessel types for the Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard.

from HERE

[FNS]

Oct 24, 2016 18:42:18 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Seaspan will apparently order 3 more ferries from that Turkish yard, per this Motorship magazine story:

Seaspan Ferries takes delivery of LNG hybrid

24 Oct 2016
Vancouver-based ferry operator Seaspan Ferries has taken delivery of the first of five LNG-battery hybrid ferries – the first in North America – from Turkish shipyard Sedef.

Seaspan Swift is powered by two Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines and a 1,050V, 546kWh Corvus Energy Storage System (ESS) consisting of 84 AT6500 advanced lithium polymer batteries. The battery system, integrated with an Elkon power distribution system, will be used as a spinning reserve and for port manoeuvres.

The cargo ferry will be joined by a sister ship in February, after which the operator will order a further three ferries, Seaspan CEO Jonathan Whitworth told The Motorship and other shipping media last week. The 148m vessels, designed by Vard Marine, will have capacity for 60 truck trailers compared to the 30-40 trailer capacity of its existing seven vessels – which have been in service for an average of 36 years.

Seaspan Ferries operates cargo-only services between Vancouver Island and the Canadian mainland, carrying up to 800 trailers a day. The company claims to carry around 60% of all products consumed on the island off the coast of British Columbia.

The Seaspan Group (unrelated to the Vancouver-based containership owner of the same name) also operates Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards. The company chose to have its new ferries built in Turkey as its whole building capacity is currently devoted to fulfilling the non-combat package of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, comprising seven vessel types for the Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard.

from HERE

I just wonder if Seaspan is planning on retiring it's aging fleet?  And, the future of train ferries in BC?  I do miss seeing the SEASPAN DORIS (DORIS YORKE) in action.  She's such a cool looking train/vehicle carrier.  She had brightened my day each time I've seen her doing her jobs.

[Neil]

Oct 24, 2016 18:42:18 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Seaspan will apparently order 3 more ferries from that Turkish yard, per this Motorship magazine story:

Seaspan Ferries takes delivery of LNG hybrid

24 Oct 2016
Vancouver-based ferry operator Seaspan Ferries has taken delivery of the first of five LNG-battery hybrid ferries – the first in North America – from Turkish shipyard Sedef.

Seaspan Swift is powered by two Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines and a 1,050V, 546kWh Corvus Energy Storage System (ESS) consisting of 84 AT6500 advanced lithium polymer batteries. The battery system, integrated with an Elkon power distribution system, will be used as a spinning reserve and for port manoeuvres.

The cargo ferry will be joined by a sister ship in February, after which the operator will order a further three ferries, Seaspan CEO Jonathan Whitworth told The Motorship and other shipping media last week. The 148m vessels, designed by Vard Marine, will have capacity for 60 truck trailers compared to the 30-40 trailer capacity of its existing seven vessels – which have been in service for an average of 36 years.

Seaspan Ferries operates cargo-only services between Vancouver Island and the Canadian mainland, carrying up to 800 trailers a day. The company claims to carry around 60% of all products consumed on the island off the coast of British Columbia.

The Seaspan Group (unrelated to the Vancouver-based containership owner of the same name) also operates Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards. The company chose to have its new ferries built in Turkey as its whole building capacity is currently devoted to fulfilling the non-combat package of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, comprising seven vessel types for the Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard.

from HERE

Well, that's interesting news. Five new ferries in total... obviously Seaspan is in the drop trailer business to stay.

I should send them an email, because I'm curious about deployment. They currently have three conventional ferries and two barge/pusher tug units on their Swartz Bay and Nanaimo routes, and two tug/barge units on their Surrey to Duke Point run. They could probably do the current Tilbury schedule with four vessels, which might free up one new ferry to run from Surrey. Or perhaps their long term plans are to consolidate mainland shipping at Tilbury, since they are apparently planning to move all their Nanaimo operations to Duke Point.

[sdh030472]

Swift is anchored in Mindelo Sao Vincente, Cape Verdes Island

[FNS]

The SEASPAN SWIFT made it across the Atlantic.  She was under (south of) Grenada as of 1000PDT, 11-05-2016.

[Chris City]

Oct 24, 2016 21:41:04 GMT -8 FNS said:

Oct 24, 2016 18:42:18 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Seaspan will apparently order 3 more ferries from that Turkish yard, per this Motorship magazine story:

from HERE

  And, the future of train ferries in BC?

There is no future, the last time one of the Seaspan ferries carried railcars was 2012, it's all done by tug and barge now.

[FNS]

It's down the stretch to Panama for the SEASPAN SWIFT.  The waiting begins for her transit.

[FNS]

The SEASPAN SWIFT is entering the Gatun Locks.

PANAMA CANAL CAMS:

www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

You can track her on ship tracking sites, like: siitech.com

[FNS]

Here are two photos of the SEASPAN SWIFT at the Gatun Locks:


We pan from right to left, or north to south.  The image on the right showed her entering the Gatun Locks.  No further images would be shown as that cam's image quality would worsen as the daylight faded to night.

[FNS]

At 2149PST, the SEASPAN SWIFT is in the Miguel Locks.  She passed under the Centennial Bridge at 1920PST and should be spotted on the Miraflores cam shortly.  I'm using the High Resolution cam to watch this (refresh if needed).

[FNS]

At 2239PST, the SEASPAN SWIFT is in the Miraflores Locks.  A few pics will be shown after she disappears from the camera view.

[FNS]

Here are some pics of the SEASPAN SWIFT in Miraflores Locks:


Entering the Miraflores Locks as a ship leaves.  Those lights aboard that ship are really BRIGHT!


Continuing the entrance.  Sunglasses, please!


Ah, you can put the sunglasses aside! 
Hey, look!  No wave breaker on the bow of the SEASPAN SWIFT (that what it appears to me on this pic).


Midway down.


Down and starting out to the next increment.


Last pic in the Panama Canal of the SEASPAN SWIFT.  Next up is Catalina Island, if she passes east in daylight.  Otherwise, Race Rocks.


At 2340PST, the SEASPAN SWIFT was under the Bridge of Americas.  Welcome to the Pacific!

That berthed APL ship tells a story about the new ship we are watching being delivered.  The SEASPAN SWIFT is from Turkey.

During this transit, the SEASPAN SWIFT had a ship trailing her with a "novelty" name (sort of, that is):  GREEN FREEZER

Fair wind and good seas, MV SEASPAN SWIFT!

LATE EDIT:

Just announced, the SEASPAN SWIFT's next port of call is Long Beach CA.  Just to visit the QUEEN, of course.  MARY, that is.  Drink your tea on the 27th!

[FNS]

The SEASPAN SWIFT passed by the Mexican town of Acapulco this afternoon.  Her screws continue to spin well, propelling her miles and miles up the west coast of North America.

She still has a date with the "QUEEN" in Long Beach, as we see.  Her crews must be getting the tea ready.

[FNS]

The SEASPAN SWIFT passed by Cabo San Lucas on Thursday, November 24, 2016.  This was "screen captured" at 1100PST that morning.

This would most likely be her last mostly wide-open sea passage on this journey, crossing over from the Mexican mainland to the west side of Baja California.  It's now up the coast of mostly continuous land all the way up to the Juan De Fuca Strait and BC.

Next update is SOCAL Approach to Long Beach, or when viewable on the Catalina Island webcams.  I'll also search for cams along the shores north of San Diego and get a capture.  All dependent of daylight and visibility.

If an "arrival time in BC gossiping" is proposed for this ship, as well as the ongoing one for the SALISH ORCA, I would call it "arrived in BC" when the Victoria pilots come from the BC shore and board these ships.  My thoughts.  Whatever my answer will be, however, "They will get there in BC when they get there".

[FNS]

At 2300PST, the SEASPAN SWIFT had San Diego off her starboard side.


She continues up the near coastlines of Southern California up to Long Beach.

[grk]

Seaspan will order the Pilot to take the vessel from the Victoria waterfront once they have a good idea of what time she will arrive off Victoria.  Orders are usually put in 24-48 hours in advance, and then firmed up as the vessel gets closer.  The Pilot order time can be seen on the Pacific Pilotage website, which is:  www.ppa.gc.ca  From the black bar select "Traffic" and from the drop down "Region" menu, select "Island".  

[FNS]

The SEASPAN SWIFT is anchored at Long Beach ...


... And is being resupplied by a vessel named VICKI ANN.

[FNS]

The SEASPAN SWIFT's stay at Long Beach was a short one.  Maybe enough time for tea with the QUEEN MARY.  She's on the run again.  Destination: Vancouver.


Vancouver Canada, or Vancouver USA? 

Next update: Race Rocks.

www.racerocks.ca/video-cameras/

[grk]

This might well be the roughest portion of her long voyage. Reports from vessels northbound from Panama indicate that the swells are very large of off Washington and Oregon. Several large deep sea ships have had delays of 12-24 hrs owing to the sea conditions. Lets hope that thing moderate over the next 3-4 days!

[mybidness459]

Obviously Vancouver BC. I assume.

[grk]

A quick check this morning of the sea buoy off Cape Flattery shows 18.5 foot waves out of the west, with an forecast of an increase in size as the day progresses. Winds at 38 knots. Several more large ocean going vessels are taking delays owing to slow running in these heavy sea conditions. This will probably slow Swift down, but I do see her off San Francisco making over 15 knots.

[mybidness459]

Now we all can confirm Vancouver BC. I just checked the Pilots website and the Swift has a ETA of 14:00 at Brotchie for Vancouver on Dec 2.
as of 1:34 pm today the vessle is located on Page 3 of Current traffic second vessle to the bottom of the page. Subject to change of course.

This should be the Seaspan Swifts first and ONLY time ever needing a Pilot in BC waters that is.

[grk]

The timing is a bit disappointing as the transit through First Narrows will be in the dark. That will probably negate a fire spray welcome by her Seaspan fleetmates. But, the sea might delay her a bit.

[FNS]

Nov 30, 2016 13:53:33 GMT -8 grk said:

The timing is a bit disappointing as the transit through First Narrows will be in the dark. That will probably negate a fire spray welcome by her Seaspan fleetmates. But, the sea might delay her a bit.

I think the Seaspan slips on the Fraser River is the mainland home for them.  She may go there direct.  You'll see which way she goes when she reaches the mouth of the river.

HEADS UP!

I may not be at any computer terminal Friday as I have events to attend during that day.  Others will need to capture and post images from the controllable Race Rocks cam.