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Post by lmtengs on Dec 30, 2011 23:36:51 GMT -8
Chris, I did a check for them at Amix yesterday afternoon and they were not there. I did a second drive-by on the Surrey side as well as New West, Annacis Island and Port Royal/Queensborough, but no prevail. Any other ideas? They are somewhere on the Fraser. I'm on the hunt... Sorry, at first I automatically assumed they were destined for the scrap heap. Pkeenleyside's post from CKNW states that the Ferries have been bought by "Tidal Towing", a division of Harken Towing. The tugboat that towed both of the Ferries was the "Harken 6". So my next speculation is that could they be tied up at "Tidal Towings" base? According to Siitech, the "Harken 6" is tied up with another cluster of tugboats, such as "Granny Hutch", "Harken 5", etc. This is right where the Pitt River meets the Fraser River, along the Mary Hill Bypass. I'm free all morning, tomorrow. I think I might make a bike ride out to PoCo to check that out. Time to get that ol' rat-trap reattached... or on second thought, there's always the 791 bus...
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Dec 31, 2011 5:47:47 GMT -8
Interesting thoughts come to my mind on the future of these ferries:
These could become deck barges.
These could become like "BEACH GIRLS" and carry freight vans from the mainland to remote islands and land on beaches just like the real "BEACH GIRL" did on Hood Canal in 1979. Paint them orange just like their Puget Sound counterpart. Install reclining seats for the truckers in the cabin as well as a mini "galley-ette".
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 31, 2011 11:06:14 GMT -8
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Post by lmtengs on Jan 1, 2012 21:29:26 GMT -8
Dropped down to the bottom of Pitt River Road this morning, and the Klatawa and Kulleet are indeed there. They are moored at this exact location: g.co/maps/9wrta(Link to Google Maps) No pictures, because I didn't have the camera or cell phone with me, but hopefully I can find a way out there soon-ish, maybe even tomorrow. EDIT: Looks like I might have to wait on pictures til next Sunday... if that even works out.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 2, 2012 17:06:43 GMT -8
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Post by lmtengs on Jan 2, 2012 23:04:50 GMT -8
Thanks for that, Neil! Did you have to speak to somebody to get up close to the boats, or were you allowed to walk right up to them?
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 2, 2012 23:38:39 GMT -8
Thanks for that, Neil! Did you have to speak to somebody to get up close to the boats, or were you allowed to walk right up to them? I asked at their office, and they didn't tell me where I had to take the photos from. However, the end-on view was obtained by stepping from one float to another via a free floating log, so I probably was stretching things a bit... I could have clambered on board since no one was around, but I definitely had not asked for permission to do that, so I didn't.
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Post by lmtengs on Jan 3, 2012 1:16:24 GMT -8
I asked at their office, and they didn't tell me where I had to take the photos from. However, the end-on view was obtained by stepping from one float to another via a free floating log, so I probably was stretching things a bit... I could have clambered on board since no one was around, but I definitely had not asked for permission to do that, so I didn't. Good on ya for actually speaking to someone. There's more than a few people here who would be perfectly content just seeing the ships from the street and leaving. Going that extra mile's what makes the trip.
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Post by kittcar2000 on Jan 4, 2012 14:43:07 GMT -8
Knowing the way Translink works. I wouldn't be surprised if the company that has taken care of the Albion ferries for the last two and half years. Had a contract that probably recently expired. Hence why Translink wasn't in a big hurry to sell them. There's also some Gulf Island residents that are not to happy with BCF service. I think the new owner will have no problem finding work for them. Or resell them at much lower price than Translink wanted.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 4, 2012 21:09:02 GMT -8
Knowing the way Translink works. I wouldn't be surprised if the company that has taken care of the Albion ferries for the last two and half years. Had a contract that probably recently expired. Hence why Translink wasn't in a big hurry to sell them. There's also some Gulf Island residents that are not to happy with BCF service. I think the new owner will have no problem finding work for them. Or resell them at much lower price than Translink wanted. The Albion boats were being marketed by a prominent ship broker on behalf of Translink. The reason they weren't selling is because there were no buyers- it wasn't because Translink 'wasn't in a big hurry'. Check the online broker sites and there are vessels that have been for sale for years, such is the market, especially for small barge-like ferries in this part of the world. I'd be intrigued at the connection between the Albion boats and Gulf Islanders' feelings about their ferry service.
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Post by Mike C on Jan 5, 2012 1:03:27 GMT -8
There's also some Gulf Island residents that are not to happy with BCF service. I think the new owner will have no problem finding work for them. Or resell them at much lower price than Translink wanted. As Neil mentioned, small barge-boats are of little use to BC Ferries, who seems to have no short supply of them. These vessels would be unable to operate on most of the Southern Gulf Island routes anyways, simply because of Transport Canada safety regulations, capacity issues, etc. BC Ferries wants no part in this, and any private operator knows that the costs associated with running an operation in low-ridership low-density low-population areas is commercial suicide. I am not sure if these ships will ever see revenue service again.
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Post by kittcar2000 on Jan 7, 2012 14:37:27 GMT -8
Just read in the Vancouver Sun they said translink was paying 28 grand a month to that company for taking care of the Albion ferries. No wonder the new owner moved them out of there so fast. I'am sure the new owner will find work for them. Probably hauling cargo I think theres more money in that than moving people. I guess we will have to wait and see what becomes of them. The saga continue's.
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Post by lmtengs on Jan 20, 2012 13:23:27 GMT -8
After more than two years sitting idle, the Albion ferries have been sold to a Fraser River tugboat company for $400,000. Capt. Tim Mackenzie, owner of Port Coquitlam’s Tidal Towing, isn’t sure what he will do with the two ferries, which TransLink originally priced at about $1 million each. “Have you ever sat in a ferry lineup and been the car that got left behind? Well, that’s not going to happen to me any more,” he said with a laugh. “I’m going to keep one for sure, as a ferry, and then just see whether I resell it or something in the future. Maybe someone would want to lease it or charter it. It’s kind of opened ended right now.” Mackenzie said he was a bit surprised at first that TransLink accepted his offer. “Actually, I’m not really surprised though, because the ferries did serve a good purpose, but once you don’t need them, the price is what somebody is willing to pay,” he said. “I feel I got a good deal on them, but obviously if somebody needed a ferry they would’ve paid a lot more for them.” TransLink spokesman Drew Snider confirmed in a news release that Tidal Towing purchased the MV Kulleet and MV Klatawa. “Tidal, a marine transport company, made a firm ‘as-is-where-is’ offer just before Christmas, through Harlow Marine International, Inc.,” Snider said. “[Tidal Towing] has not disclosed the future use for the two boats, but it is noted that the price is considerably higher than ‘scrap value.’” TransLink considered selling the boats as scrap if they were threatening to become an environmental or economic liability. Snider said that point had not yet been reached. As of 2010, TransLink was paying $28,000 a month to maintain the ferries. Earlier this month, TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said there were three potential buyers, including the government of Canada’s Indian Affairs, a Squamish developer and someone from South Africa. The ferries, built in 1972, were no longer needed after the Golden Ears Bridge opened in 2009, spanning the Fraser River between Langley and Maple Ridge. The Kulleet and Klatawa came into service in the 1980s, replacing the original Albion Ferry, the T’Lagunna. The two ferries typically carried about 4,500 passengers on 80 sailings each day. Read more: www.vancouversun.com/Albion+ferries+sold+Fraser+tugboat+firm/5930592/story.html#ixzz1k2EP7jKpYou're way behind, buddy. Flip to the next page back of this thread... Check before you post! I don't think that's the first time I've said that to someone in the last 24 hours...
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Post by NMcKay on Jan 20, 2012 13:53:21 GMT -8
i just got excited when i was driving down the mary hill and i saw them. It was a blast from the past so to speak, and taking your advice, i looked back a page, and i noticed that the Chutes (First of their kind on the west coast) have been removed, either for access or for recertification
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Post by NMcKay on Jan 31, 2012 13:05:39 GMT -8
There's also some Gulf Island residents that are not to happy with BCF service. I think the new owner will have no problem finding work for them. Or resell them at much lower price than Translink wanted. As Neil mentioned, small barge-boats are of little use to BC Ferries, who seems to have no short supply of them. These vessels would be unable to operate on most of the Southern Gulf Island routes anyways, simply because of Transport Canada safety regulations, capacity issues, etc. BC Ferries wants no part in this, and any private operator knows that the costs associated with running an operation in low-ridership low-density low-population areas is commercial suicide. I am not sure if these ships will ever see revenue service again. They could be useful for shipping cars and trucks around the lower mainland, as they might fit in pretty much all existing berths. but i don't think they will ever be used for their original purpose again.
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Post by lmtengs on Jan 31, 2012 18:38:06 GMT -8
As Neil mentioned, small barge-boats are of little use to BC Ferries, who seems to have no short supply of them. These vessels would be unable to operate on most of the Southern Gulf Island routes anyways, simply because of Transport Canada safety regulations, capacity issues, etc. BC Ferries wants no part in this, and any private operator knows that the costs associated with running an operation in low-ridership low-density low-population areas is commercial suicide. I am not sure if these ships will ever see revenue service again. They could be useful for shipping cars and trucks around the lower mainland, as they might fit in pretty much all existing berths. but i don't think they will ever be used for their original purpose again. Elaborate on this... how?
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Jun 28, 2012 19:52:56 GMT -8
An ad from Harlow Marine Int'l in the latest Western Mariner indicates that both of the Albion boats is for sale again.
So I guess the guy who bought them both and said he didn't know quite what he was going to do with them, really didn't know what to do with them.
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Post by lmtengs on Jun 29, 2012 17:08:39 GMT -8
A filler from Fraser Cable 10 (no longer existent station) from around 1980 features the Albion ferries crossing the river. There's the T'Lagunna and a K-class. I've never seen footage of the T-Lag under power before, so I guess it's pretty rare. Video link:www.facebook.com//v/10150825656577411
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 29, 2012 17:21:05 GMT -8
A filler from Fraser Cable 10 (no longer existent station) from around 1980 features the Albion ferries crossing the river. There's the T'Lagunna and a K-class. I've never seen footage of the T-Lag under power before, so I guess it's pretty rare. Video link:www.facebook.com//v/10150825656577411Huge thank you to you for finding and uploading that gem. Much appreciated.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 29, 2012 19:46:53 GMT -8
A filler from Fraser Cable 10 (no longer existent station) from around 1980 features the Albion ferries crossing the river. There's the T'Lagunna and a K-class. I've never seen footage of the T-Lag under power before, so I guess it's pretty rare. Video link:www.facebook.com//v/10150825656577411Haha, I love the soundtrack!! Groovy! I'm guessing that was the Kulleet as the random K-Class? Klatawa started out Thetis-Kuper-Chemainus didn't she? Klitsa would have been the Denman Queen at the time I'm guessing as well.
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Post by lmtengs on Jul 13, 2012 16:03:24 GMT -8
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Post by lmtengs on Oct 21, 2012 21:30:17 GMT -8
I popped down to the Fort Langley ferry terminal today on my way to Abbotsford. The dock is not faring well, at all. No signs were disobeyed, and no fences were scaled in the taking of these pictures. There were actually two other couples down at the dock at the same time as me at one point. Oddly enough, a tour bus full of people pulled up to the terminal, then turned around after waiting a couple of seconds. Have people still not realized the service is closed?? Rather photo heavy.The bus shelter has many holes in it's roof. Since the last time we showed up, somebody crashed into the top of the trestle and smashed out the gate and the guardrail. There's the guardrail that got conked out. Looking down the well-used trestle. Notice the sandbar. Notice the list of the terminal. It's literally beached. Looking down the ramp. The list is really apparent here. Back up the ramp. Down on the sandbar. It's not connected to land; you need to get to it from the end of the ferry dock. I don't think we'll be seeing boats sailing out of here anytime soon. Sitting on the bar. One side's in the water, the other side's not. There's some garbage strewn about on the landing. The corrosion on the ramp is pretty intense... A parting shot.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jun 16, 2013 21:20:27 GMT -8
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jul 8, 2013 21:04:44 GMT -8
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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 Jul 8, 2013 21:19:35 GMT -8
Stupid Golden Ears Bridge! Bring back the Albion Ferries! Those were neat little ferries across the river. Only got to ride them a few time. I will never use the Golden Ears Bridge!
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