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Post by Balfour on Feb 17, 2005 17:22:15 GMT -8
I know there are 3 full car decks on the Spirits, and that the bottom and top ones are acessed via the main ramps, but How cars access the middle car deck? This is a good question for anyone who works at BCF.  |
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Post by Curtis on Feb 17, 2005 17:44:38 GMT -8
I sure don't know but it would be nice to find out
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Koastal Karl
Voyager 
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 17, 2005 17:55:21 GMT -8
The platform decks drop down like on the v class, and Nanny, Cumberland ect... And the cars drive on. Cause I remember one busy sailing we actually had to park on the platform deck. I think it was on one of the Spirit ships. The ramp part of the deck where they drive up they actually park cars on when it's full then they just lift them up. I think that is how it works.
Does anyone know if they still use them??? Like for example last Friday there was 2 sailing waits, so would they use the platform decks and put as many cars on or would they not use them which would just cause more traffic for the next sailing???
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Post by Dane on Feb 17, 2005 23:48:22 GMT -8
They are the coolest ramps in BCF, they also look really unsafe so it just shows how efficiently they're made now (I dont actually think they're unsafe). The full ramp can be pulled up which is, I think unique, and an excellent feuture. The cars that drive to the front of the fully raised ramp can indeed drive all the way to the end; the vehicle is lowered with the ramp. This also allows cars to be parked for the full length below the ramp maximizing capacity.
I believe the ramps are accessible at any time.
RAMPS
empty.....
/---------------------
B End A End
Cars drive on......
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
/---------------------
back of ramp is lifted
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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cars loaded below
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
lower car deck unloads
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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vroom vroom .........x
front of ramp lowers
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-------------------\
process done again.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 18, 2005 12:13:25 GMT -8
Well I hope they are using the ramps today, as there are currently 1 sailing waits to both Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. I was planning to go to Vancouver today and I was out at Swartz Bay at 8:30 am but never ended up going cause I was not going to wait till 11 to go over, if your just going for the day. It's kind of pointless to go that late. I will have to go during the week. I would like to know why the heck there is so many people going to Vancouver?? It's usually the opposite way on Fridays. Oh well!
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Post by Balfour on Feb 18, 2005 12:52:36 GMT -8
Let me think... What is going on Vancouver this weekend....
Annual Snowshoe thing on Grouse, maybe something on at Whistler. no...just beautiful weather there. Maybe Island skiers going to Whistler or somewhere in the interior because Mount Washington is closed. I'm leaving for Big White in Kelowna later today ;D
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 18, 2005 14:07:55 GMT -8
Right now as of 2pm there is a 2 sailing wait to Swartz Bay . I guess if I had made it over this morning I would be coming back Duke Point seeing there is no waits on that run. Does anyone else think there is alot more traffic this February than last year?? I also just forgot the Elwha is out of service so more americans will be using our ferries and the Coho is going to be out soon too.
We need those Super C's here now!!
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Post by kylefossett on Feb 18, 2005 16:09:14 GMT -8
the platforms may not be used today. this would depend on the crewing numbers aboard the ships. if they only have a certain amount of crew on then they can only take a certain amount of passengers. staffing has probably spent all day calling in the casuals to up the crew numbers. remember just because it is busy doesn't mean each sailing is maxed out for capacity. they may have done the best they can to up the crew numbers and on a nice day like this who really wants to go in to work
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 18, 2005 17:56:17 GMT -8
The only time I remember seeing the platform decks down and being used was one Easter Weekend back in 97 or something. That is the only time I remember seeing them being used.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 23, 2005 18:19:37 GMT -8
Are there any drivers out there who think the Car decks on the V class are really cramped?? I think maybe they were made for the cars in the 60's. Those ships were built then and now in todays world cars are alot bigger and larger than in the 60's. I was parked in the lane next to the side lane on the Vancouver and the two centre lanes had vehicles and they were still loading the side lanes and cars were scraping the side trying to squeeze by other cars. Just wonder what your thoughts are on this?
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Post by Balfour on Feb 23, 2005 18:34:38 GMT -8
that's pretty damn cramped!
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 23, 2005 18:56:16 GMT -8
Yeah and I dont even think it was full. There was only like 1 full lane at Tsawwassen and half another lane plus a few in the reserved line.
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Post by NMcKay on Feb 23, 2005 20:40:07 GMT -8
just like when the T'laguna (first ship at albion) came online, she held just over 33, and when she was retired, she held 16, and then the 30 Capac. Klatawa came onboard, and then in 1976 (approx) the kulleet cam on, and at that time the klatawa held approx 28, now both ships average 15 - 25 (depending on how many large trucks are on board) if you want to get on and off quickly take a large 1 tonne truck or something. almost always they will put you down the middle.
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