Langdale-Horseshoe Bay Route Report

[Curtis]

Here's the report if you want it all go to this link
www.bcferries.bc.ca/about/comm/
Here's what the future of Langdale's vessels have

The Queen of Surrey will remain on the Langdale–Horseshoe Bay route as the primary vessel until late June 2005.

At that time the Queen of Coquitlam , which underwent a mid-life upgrade two years ago, will be re-deployed to the Langdale–Horseshoe Bay route for the summer months. The Queen of Coquitlam will provide our customers on this route with improved amenities, including new food service facilities, an expanded gift shop, redesigned passenger lounges, children's play area, study carrels, and an enclosed video arcade.

The Queen of Esquimalt will be the supplemental vessel on Route 3 for the summer of 2005.

The Queen of Surrey will become the supplemental vessel on the Horseshoe Bay–Nanaimo run for the summer of 2005.

The Queen of Coquitlam will undergo its annual refit in September 2005. During this time, the Queen of Surrey will return to the Langdale route.

Upon the completion of her refit, the Queen of Coquitlam will return to the Langdale route permanently.

In the late fall of 2005, the Queen of Surrey will be removed from service for six and a half months for its mid-life upgrade.

When the Queen of Surrey returns to the fleet, the ship will act as a relief vessel on various routes, including Route 3.

... Relief? Why would they put a newly refitted ship as relief? At least put her on Nanaimo but not relief. Are they crazy! use the Oaky or the Cow

[Ferryman]

Well I guess they will use her as the #2 out of Departure Bay again next year then too, and then when Alberni goes in for mid-life they'll have Surrey replace Alberni for winter 2006 to summer 2007. I thought I read somewhere on the yahoo forum that Cowichan would be in place of Alberni at that time because it would be like 2 years since her refit like it will be for Coquitlam this summer, and then have Surrey as the #1 out of Nanaimo permanent along with Oak Bay out of HSB. I don't know what they have planned there. So I guess we'll just have to wait and see what they decide in winter 2006.

[Dane]

Does it really amke a difference if the Surrey is relief or not, as we've seen relief vessels run almost all year long...

what's more interesting, and signifigant is the Coquitlam going out in SEPTEMBER! Thats early, demand is still very high on Route 2!

Dane

[Ferryman]

Well it's just the once a year annual refit for one month though, she did it last year and had Oak Bay take over for that month, also that's when she got fire windows installed like Cowichan. No it doesn't really matter that Surrey is going to be a relief vessel, it's just that I heard they want the most up to date vessels being the #1's and the not so up to date to be relief.

[Dane]

Was it late September then?

[Ferryman]

I can't really remember if it was like around labour day or in the middle of september. But I know for sure that Coquitlam did go in for her monthly refit that month and Oak Bay took over for the month.