Post by Ferryman on Apr 2, 2010 15:27:07 GMT -8
Today I was fortunate enough to make it on to my desired sailing to the Mainland. I was aboard the Queen of Cowichans first sailing of the day at 6:30am. I had no idea how windy it was, or how stormy it was about to be until the minute I went up to the sundeck as we were still loading cars. I was thinking it was going to be a bit of a bumpy crossing because I could feel some wind. But nothing like what it turned out to be.
As we were leaving the dock, the Captain advised us that as soon as we leave the bay, we'd be encountering 30 to 40 knot winds. I was a little shocked at those wind speeds and the fact that we were about to enter those types of conditions. Along with that warning, he advised that he wouldn't recommend going to the car deck, and that everyone should stay in their seats. So I immediate went to grab my camera in case the car deck was to get locked up. I was sure glad I did.
When we passed Snake Island I thought, "Pfft, this is nothing. What is he talking about". But once we came clear of Entrance Island, that's when things started to get interesting. I was down on the Main Car deck watching the waves getting higher and higher. I walked towards where my car was parked, which was on the Main car deck, starboard side tunnel, about 5 cars away from the Dog kennel. As I was walking between the cars, the whole ferry shook like crazy, nearly tripping me over on to my face. Then I look towards the bow, and theres water spraying through the one car deck window right behind the dock kennel.
I decided to get a look at the waves from the window that was closest to the stern so I wouldn't get as much spray. But even that turned out to be trecherous, because I could put my hand out and touch the crests of the waves if I wanted.
Albundy on her way to Duke Point
I moved up to the upper car deck to watch the waves come crashing down on to the cars. What was actually happening, was the ship was pitching way up at the bow, and then come down on to a wave, which would be really bang hard against the underside of the rubbing strakes, expelling a huge amount of spray. The crashing and banging sounds of this was really exciting to hear, but then we hit a really big wave which had me wondering if it was even a good idea to be down there as I was watching some of the cars move around pretty good. Here's a good action set of photos of waves hitting the bow.
(Yes, that is water pouring off of the pickle fork decks)
At this point, a fellow came up to me to share his thoughts on how exciting this was. He had just been told to leave the main car deck, because water was really starting to pool up. His feet were soaked. He even mentioned the crew was trying to figure out how to secure the bow doors a little better.
Naturally, I started to get cold from being sprayed from the waves and rain so I went up stairs to the passenger lounge to find more water. The spray was making it up to the pickle fork decks and pooling up against the doors, and then seaping in through the doors. Part of the forward lounge was also closed off, as well as the forward windows being covered in case they break.
Surprisingly, the aft lounge was empty.
As the ship continued to pitch and roll even more, the Captain advised everyone to stay seated. I obeyed that advisory and sat down as well as the rest of the passengers. Everyone onboard went quiet, and I could sense alot of worry from the passengers with the deafening silence that arose from that command. Every 5 minutes or so, a steward would come over the PA, directing the cleaner to go to certain areas of the ship to clean up a mess. But I tell ya, that Cowichan was being put to her limits, and she was a creaking and a groaning pretty good. She definitely felt pretty flimsy with the way she would shake with every single wave.
Eventually we made it to the lee of Point Grey which was where it smoothened out a bit. It felt kind of nice to see Bowen Island approaching our Port side as well.
Finally we arrive approach Horseshoe Bay, and it wasn't until we were within the final 500 meters of the route when we were told we were allowed to head for the car deck. Us passengers going to the Main Car deck were greeted with a wet surprised at the bottom of the stairs though.
Last photo from the trip, the aftermath of the ravaged dog kennel. I hope that was the waves that did that, and not the dogs that were in there that wanted to escape due to sheer terror.
As we were leaving the dock, the Captain advised us that as soon as we leave the bay, we'd be encountering 30 to 40 knot winds. I was a little shocked at those wind speeds and the fact that we were about to enter those types of conditions. Along with that warning, he advised that he wouldn't recommend going to the car deck, and that everyone should stay in their seats. So I immediate went to grab my camera in case the car deck was to get locked up. I was sure glad I did.
When we passed Snake Island I thought, "Pfft, this is nothing. What is he talking about". But once we came clear of Entrance Island, that's when things started to get interesting. I was down on the Main Car deck watching the waves getting higher and higher. I walked towards where my car was parked, which was on the Main car deck, starboard side tunnel, about 5 cars away from the Dog kennel. As I was walking between the cars, the whole ferry shook like crazy, nearly tripping me over on to my face. Then I look towards the bow, and theres water spraying through the one car deck window right behind the dock kennel.
I decided to get a look at the waves from the window that was closest to the stern so I wouldn't get as much spray. But even that turned out to be trecherous, because I could put my hand out and touch the crests of the waves if I wanted.
Albundy on her way to Duke Point
I moved up to the upper car deck to watch the waves come crashing down on to the cars. What was actually happening, was the ship was pitching way up at the bow, and then come down on to a wave, which would be really bang hard against the underside of the rubbing strakes, expelling a huge amount of spray. The crashing and banging sounds of this was really exciting to hear, but then we hit a really big wave which had me wondering if it was even a good idea to be down there as I was watching some of the cars move around pretty good. Here's a good action set of photos of waves hitting the bow.
(Yes, that is water pouring off of the pickle fork decks)
At this point, a fellow came up to me to share his thoughts on how exciting this was. He had just been told to leave the main car deck, because water was really starting to pool up. His feet were soaked. He even mentioned the crew was trying to figure out how to secure the bow doors a little better.
Naturally, I started to get cold from being sprayed from the waves and rain so I went up stairs to the passenger lounge to find more water. The spray was making it up to the pickle fork decks and pooling up against the doors, and then seaping in through the doors. Part of the forward lounge was also closed off, as well as the forward windows being covered in case they break.
Surprisingly, the aft lounge was empty.
As the ship continued to pitch and roll even more, the Captain advised everyone to stay seated. I obeyed that advisory and sat down as well as the rest of the passengers. Everyone onboard went quiet, and I could sense alot of worry from the passengers with the deafening silence that arose from that command. Every 5 minutes or so, a steward would come over the PA, directing the cleaner to go to certain areas of the ship to clean up a mess. But I tell ya, that Cowichan was being put to her limits, and she was a creaking and a groaning pretty good. She definitely felt pretty flimsy with the way she would shake with every single wave.
Eventually we made it to the lee of Point Grey which was where it smoothened out a bit. It felt kind of nice to see Bowen Island approaching our Port side as well.
Finally we arrive approach Horseshoe Bay, and it wasn't until we were within the final 500 meters of the route when we were told we were allowed to head for the car deck. Us passengers going to the Main Car deck were greeted with a wet surprised at the bottom of the stairs though.
Last photo from the trip, the aftermath of the ravaged dog kennel. I hope that was the waves that did that, and not the dogs that were in there that wanted to escape due to sheer terror.
