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Post by zargoman on Jan 18, 2012 5:15:04 GMT -8
Since the COI expires 1/27, it will certainly not be too much longer.
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Post by EGfleet on Jan 18, 2012 7:30:41 GMT -8
Since the COI expires 1/27, it will certainly not be too much longer. The latest maintenance sheet (dated 1-11-2012) has her OOS after this weekend, followed by two weeks at Eagle Harbor and then "decrewing."
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Post by zargoman on Jan 18, 2012 14:41:05 GMT -8
That's also what the crew told me on Saturday.
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Post by SS San Mateo on Jan 20, 2012 14:50:44 GMT -8
This just showed up in the service bulletins:
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Jan 22, 2012 22:37:33 GMT -8
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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 Jan 23, 2012 6:13:28 GMT -8
Today should be the final day for the RHODODENDRON. Here are captures of her first trip to Tahlequah this morning:
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Post by sounder on Jan 23, 2012 7:14:28 GMT -8
It appears the Chetzemoka just left Anacortes around 0650 to come south.
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Jan 23, 2012 8:23:14 GMT -8
It appears the Chetzemoka just left Anacortes around 0650 to come south. She's on her way. The CHETZEMOKA shifts from the tie-up slip to a main slip to pick up crew cars for the trip south. Passing Fort Casey and Port Townsend.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2012 12:21:03 GMT -8
I see the she's plugging past Fort Ward at a good 12.2 knots. *Forgive the new, out of the blue message. I have followed your broads for a long time. I work on the Great Lakes and have alwyas had an avid appreciation and like for your ferries out in Washington* Read more: ferriesbc.proboards.com/index.cgi#ixzz1kJauXUa8It appears the Chetzemoka just left Anacortes around 0650 to come south. She's on her way. The CHETZEMOKA shifts from the tie-up slip to a main slip to pick up crew cars for the trip south. Passing Fort Casey and Port Townsend.
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Post by dasgeneral on Jan 23, 2012 12:40:48 GMT -8
Any reason why the Chetzy isn't showing up on vessel watch?
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Post by SS San Mateo on Jan 23, 2012 13:18:32 GMT -8
I'm guessing the transponder (or similar device) isn't turned on for whatever reason.
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Post by chokai on Jan 23, 2012 14:10:32 GMT -8
Chetzy is showing up on the real AIS/VTS systems. Just not on WSF Vessel Watch. WSF must have some additional "flag" they can set somewhere to make it not show up there but still show up on the real system. Avoids out of service boats showing up and confusing the customers. As I write this Chetzy is at the Pt. Defiance dock which likely means Rhody's 215 sailing from Vashon will be her last. You can use www.marinetraffic.com or VTS tracker at vtslite.siitech.com/VTSLite/AView.aspx
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Post by SS San Mateo on Jan 23, 2012 14:46:48 GMT -8
As of 2:43, the Rhody has disappeared from vessel watch and the Chetzemoka has appeared on vessel watch.
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Post by dasgeneral on Jan 23, 2012 14:54:57 GMT -8
Was anyone down @ the dock to get some final shots of the Rhody as she departed?
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Post by sounder on Jan 23, 2012 17:17:27 GMT -8
Well the "Chetzie" is settled in on her new route. She is now officially one of our boats down here at Vashon. The Rhody will be missed by some of our commuters.
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Post by Barnacle on Jan 23, 2012 18:21:09 GMT -8
I haven't spent a great deal of time on the Rhododendron--about five days over three months back in 2001, all with the same crew--but I'll always have a little soft spot for her. She was a comfortable boat for the crew, and the officer's quarters were the cat's meow.
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Jan 23, 2012 18:31:57 GMT -8
It's all over for the RHODODENDRON. After unloading crew cars at the Bainbridge Terminal, the RHODODENDRON makes her final landing at the EHVMC. Felt a shiver down my spine and the rest of myself and a bit of sadness after hearing the final check-out call from her to the VTS. We'll never hear that name again, unless a tug or whatever company names one of its newbuildings a "Rhododendron". She had a great career. A career that began in 1947 in Maryland and ended here on Puget Sound in 2012. Her builders would be amazed that the ferry they built would last this long. Some dates here on Puget Sound: 1954 - Began her Puget Sound career on the Lofall to South Point run. 1961 - To the Mukilteo to Columbia Beach run. 1970 - Became the only food ferry on the Columbia Beach run. 1978 - Moved to the Port Townsend to Keystone Harbor at Coupeville run. 1983 - Replaced by the renovated KLICKITAT at Port Townsend. Out of service. 1984 - Bow and mast modifications. To the San Juan Islands. 1985 - Second vessel next to the KLICKITAT at Port Townsend. 1986 - Out of service. 1990 - To be refurbished at Todd Shipyard in Seattle. 1992 - Entered service on the Point Defiance to Tahlequah run. Galley removed. New machinery. 2012 - On January 23, 2012, FINISHED WITH ENGINES and RETIRED FROM SERVICE. SAFE ENDING.
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Post by dasgeneral on Jan 23, 2012 18:45:00 GMT -8
At least we're going to get a retirement ceremony for the Rhododendron, unlike the Steel Electrics. Hopefully they'll send her off in style into retirement and who knows, maybe some maritime museum or somebody interested in preserving the history of Puget Sound will get a hold of her and keep her from the scrapping yards. All I know is that a boat like that deserves a long and honored retirement, not rotting away like the Kalakala or collecting dust like her sister ship, the Olympic. Maybe the state will do something...
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mrdot
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Mr. DOT
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Post by mrdot on Jan 23, 2012 19:17:08 GMT -8
:)well lets hope your people pay more respect for your Rhododendron, than our management paid to our first BC ferry! we never had any proper goodbye or any thing, and it sits in morbund sespool, along with the bones of San Mateao, up the creek or river from us! :'(mrdot.
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Post by Kahloke on Jan 23, 2012 19:40:34 GMT -8
I saw Rhody's lights out on the sound as I was leaving for work this morning, and I got home early enough tonight to still catch some daylight, and saw Chetzy out there doing her first runs. Tonight, I'ver been seeing Chetzy's lights go back and forth. It's a whole new set of lights to get used to. Rhody will be missed for sure. I may go over to Point Defiance on Saturday and get pictures of Chetzemoka on her new assignment.
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Post by Barnacle on Jan 24, 2012 5:24:35 GMT -8
At least we're going to get a retirement ceremony for the Rhododendron, unlike the Steel Electrics. Hopefully they'll send her off in style into retirement and who knows, maybe some maritime museum or somebody interested in preserving the history of Puget Sound will get a hold of her and keep her from the scrapping yards. All I know is that a boat like that deserves a long and honored retirement, not rotting away like the Kalakala or collecting dust like her sister ship, the Olympic. Maybe the state will do something... Bear in mind: 1) The Rhody is due for re-certification on her CoI. If she doesn't pass, you can probably kiss any retirement ceremony goodbye. 2) Highest bidder, regardless of what they plan to do to her. As far as I can tell, barring a little bit of time as a back-up vessel, the State of Washington is done with her. If the Maryland Historical Society is highest bidder, it's back to Baltimore with her. (I actually approve of that, but I hear the tow is cost-prohibitive.) I'd love to see someone interested in Puget Sound maritime history make a move for her, but such a person wasn't forthcoming for the Vashon, Kalakala, or Steel-Electrics (though as I stated back in '07-'08, there was so little left of the original vessels that their historic importance was limited to the middle 2/3 of the hull, the fidleys, some curtain plating and the brass rails going up the stairs). All that said, I certainly hope she can find a way to keep herself busy and profitable--there's still a bit of useful life left in the old girl...
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Post by paulvanb on Jan 24, 2012 19:56:45 GMT -8
With the removal of the Rhododendron from service, how about a Bellingham - Orcas Island route for her provided she passes inspection - docking somewhere near the airport on Orcas for her. However, I could see this route becoming popular with those coming from Bellingham and north! I ahve never visited Orcas Island but would like to one day. ;D
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 24, 2012 23:23:47 GMT -8
As far as I can tell, barring a little bit of time as a back-up vessel, the State of Washington is done with her. If the Maryland Historical Society is highest bidder, it's back to Baltimore with her. (I actually approve of that, but I hear the tow is cost-prohibitive.) I'd love to see someone interested in Puget Sound maritime history make a move for her, but such a person wasn't forthcoming for the Vashon, Kalakala, or Steel-Electrics (though as I stated back in '07-'08, there was so little left of the original vessels that their historic importance was limited to the middle 2/3 of the hull, the fidleys, some curtain plating and the brass rails going up the stairs). All that said, I certainly hope she can find a way to keep herself busy and profitable--there's still a bit of useful life left in the old girl... Can you expand on your Maryland reference? Is there actually solid interest in her? I don't think there's a single instance where a retired car ferry was ever moved from one coast to another for historical purposes. Farewell to the last throwback to old time ferryboats, and a vessel that gave the WSF fleet some much needed variety. I only rode her once, maybe thirty years ago, from Keystone. Hopefully she either finds some useful, quiet retirement, or goes quickly to the scrapper. That's about the best we can hope for with these boats that few outside the ferry fan fraternity care about.
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Post by EGfleet on Jan 25, 2012 5:59:24 GMT -8
As far as I can tell, barring a little bit of time as a back-up vessel, the State of Washington is done with her. If the Maryland Historical Society is highest bidder, it's back to Baltimore with her. (I actually approve of that, but I hear the tow is cost-prohibitive.) I'd love to see someone interested in Puget Sound maritime history make a move for her, but such a person wasn't forthcoming for the Vashon, Kalakala, or Steel-Electrics (though as I stated back in '07-'08, there was so little left of the original vessels that their historic importance was limited to the middle 2/3 of the hull, the fidleys, some curtain plating and the brass rails going up the stairs). All that said, I certainly hope she can find a way to keep herself busy and profitable--there's still a bit of useful life left in the old girl... Can you expand on your Maryland reference? Is there actually solid interest in her? I don't think there's a single instance where a retired car ferry was ever moved from one coast to another for historical purposes. Farewell to the last throwback to old time ferryboats, and a vessel that gave the WSF fleet some much needed variety. I only rode her once, maybe thirty years ago, from Keystone. Hopefully she either finds some useful, quiet retirement, or goes quickly to the scrapper. That's about the best we can hope for with these boats that few outside the ferry fan fraternity care about. I was contacted several years back by a group in the Chesapeake Bay area who were attached to the historical society who were actively looking into the prospect of bringing the Olympic back home. The person who I spoke to, who I believe has passed away since, said that its former owner wanted too much for her and in addition the tow would be over a million alone. At that time he said there was interest in acquiring the Rhody when she was retired instead...but the same problem--the cost of the tow--was the largest stumbling block. Whether or not there is still any interest in taking her back is unknown, but I suspect the cost prohibitive nature of towing her back to the East Coast will prevent that from happening.
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Post by Kahloke on Jan 25, 2012 7:42:13 GMT -8
Hopefully she either finds some useful, quiet retirement, or goes quickly to the scrapper. That's about the best we can hope for with these boats that few outside the ferry fan fraternity care about. I would love to see someone buy her and keep her preserved. I mused with some friends in Gig Harbor that maybe Tides Tavern should buy Rhody, moor the vessel at their dock on the harbor, and move their restaurant into the ship. I think Rhody would make a fun space for a restaurant, and the ends of the car deck would make a great fishing pier ;D. I was sort of half-joking when I mentioned this idea because I know the reality of such a venture is not very high, especially in these tight economic times, and I doubt that the owners of The Tides have the means to do it anyway. So, with a sad heart, I am afraid the likely outcome for Rhododendron will be the scrapyard She was a good boat, and we at least have pictures to remember her by.
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