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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2008 9:09:10 GMT -8
Hey....want a business lesson for operating a Ferry in this Region and Market?
Google or search by another means the following phrase, and read the quote that goes with it:
It is not the critic that counts...
Should bring up an interesting paragraph.
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Post by Guest 121 on Jun 25, 2008 9:46:47 GMT -8
Peter
I understand, this is a public forum not a private conversation, your reasons for not divulging details makes some sense, I think. I understand there is another potential competitor out there not yet willing to play their hand.
As it is not my investment, It is not critical for me to know. I just hope you guys are talking to the right sources of information. I was told part of the reason for the failure of the Bruno was Maurice was taking advice from poor sources, not the only reason, just a contributing factor.
As for my ship yard buddy, the last time he was at the yard was a few weeks ago so he was estimating from what he saw there. He is not there daily. These guys move around it seems. One day on one boat then over to another yard on another boat, pretty weird work if you ask me. In any case it was an estimate, just like your estimates on passengers, the only real proof is the real thing. Now we have the real thing in the water. Everyone seems to say a week from the in water date to a live run. So the $64,000 question, my son wants to use you for Monday the 1st as it is a pain in the butt day smack between weekend and stat holiday. Will you be running by then? If so he will be on-board.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2008 9:54:04 GMT -8
I can't guarantee it, unfortunately Guest 121 - and you can write to me if you wish (anyone can) at peter@coastallinkferries.com
I'll keep you posted here more closely....things are going well, actually. I just got off the phone with Ihab.
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Post by Guest 121 on Jun 25, 2008 11:04:17 GMT -8
Hey....want a business lesson for operating a Ferry in this Region and Market? Google or search by another means the following phrase, and read the quote that goes with it: It is not the critic that counts... Should bring up an interesting paragraph. Peter, exactly why I keep trying to understand where your research is getting its basic foundation from. The people who have tried and failed on this route know more than everyone else combined could know, the next best source would be people who have tried and failed other routes in BC, as Theodore Roosevelt contends the others are all "cold timid souls" Myself included with the cold timid souls. You don't need to talk to 77 people if they are all the wrong people. You should talk to the 8 right people. You don't need to give names in this public forum, but it does appear from the comments in this thread that you have not been in contact with the right people or if you have you don't SEEM interested in benefiting from their wisdom. (When I say you that is the collective you in CLF) So in agreement with Theodore Roosevelt the best people to help you are the very few who are in the been there done that club, everyone else is in the timid souls club. From what I can see the 8 members of the been there done that club are: On this route: Maurice G (Don't recall his last name) George Slade On other routes in the region: Bruce Kerr (Kona Winds) Bill McKay (HarbourLynx) Geoff McNiel (HarbourLynx) Ed Life (Island Sealink) Graham Clarke (Royal Sealink) Bill New (Coast Ferries) Gee not bad, 8 real names of real people just with google and this forum. Anyone have more names of the real people who do know this route and this business? “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”Theodore Roosevelt
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Post by Guest 121 on Jun 25, 2008 11:30:51 GMT -8
It bugged me I could not get data on the Bruno Gerussi So back to Google. Found a link, the original file is dead but the Google history is still there. 209.85.173.104/search?d=cache:4ls11stczQwJ:www.squamishchamber.com/usr_files/Astrolabe_Marine.pdf+MV+bruno+gerussi&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=caVery Very interesting reading, maybe to those in the know this is old news but to me it adds to the legacy of Maurice Gagné. (Now I recall his full name) So his new company is called Straight of Georgia Transit. And he has big plans. Is this the troll in the weeds not being public with their plans? This is the who is info: Domain Name: STRAITOFGEORGIATRANSIT.COM Administrative Contact : Hillman, Michael gbell@belcorp.ca #609 - 325 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6C 1Z7 CA Phone: 604-669-0877 Technical Contact : Leeson, Mike ** hostmaster@dowco.com 201-5595 Roy St Burnaby, BC V5B 3A5 CA Phone: 604 664 1044 Fax: 604-683-1707 Record expires on 26-Aug-2008 Record created on 26-Aug-2003 Database last updated on 10-Oct-2006 Oh PS Peter your son went to the bathroom three times yesterday. ;D ;D
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 25, 2008 11:59:03 GMT -8
Certain information gets back to me in other ways, and things said here indicate that there are some information feeds who I am not comfortable with knowing our business. I'm sure you'll understand. As I said previously, there are a lot of things I can't share. That's a wise move. These forums have all sorts of people with different interests (business interests and personal interests), and you can never quite know what each reader and poster's agenda is. But I do appreciate your willingness to participate in discussions here, with what you've been comfortable in sharing. I've enjoyed reading all the back & forth on this thread.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2008 13:59:49 GMT -8
I will be riding the Queen of Surrey tomorrow morning at 6:20 - do people really wake up that early??? That's June 26th. I'll be in a purple polo shirt and khakis. Moustache, foul attitude, shifty...you know the type. Come and say hi to me, please!!! And I have a daughter, Guest 121, but you're right, nature called several times. Take care all Photos tonite!!!!
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Post by Hardy on Jun 26, 2008 6:00:17 GMT -8
Peter - hate to point this out, but "tonight" has passed, and there are no photos.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2008 6:28:27 GMT -8
You're right....tonight has passed - I didn't realize, until I started trying to upload, that one has to have a photo account on another server from which to upload. Too much to do and too late to do that last night....but....... ...those of you who wrote and asked for the construction photos got the new photos last night. Landlocked wrote back and commented, so if anyone wants them, email me - peter@coastallinkferries.com - I'll try to set up that photo account when i have time. BTW, Landlocked commented on how 'different' in appearance she is. Take caer
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D'Elete BC in NJ
Voyager
Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Jun 26, 2008 7:33:26 GMT -8
Peter,
You can use tinypic.com to upload the photos...no account needed, just choose the desired size (800 wide by 600 tall as stated in the forum guidelines), select the photo, and upload. After the photo uploads, you'll get a link which connects to the photo on tinypic server...easy as pie...as long as the pie is shaving cream in a pie pan ;D
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Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 26, 2008 10:58:36 GMT -8
Thanks for the pics Peter. I too was surprized by the look of the ferry. I would describe it as Amsterdam tour boat or Bateau Mouche got together with a BC Workboat/Taxi and had an offspring. Don't worry as simple as it sounds - I have never uploaded pics either .
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Post by Hardy on Jun 26, 2008 12:44:30 GMT -8
Is anyone planning on posting the pics? Thanks in advance...
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Post by landlocked on Jun 26, 2008 22:43:21 GMT -8
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Post by landlocked on Jun 26, 2008 22:45:37 GMT -8
Holy smokes you guys!!! That's a lot of work. And who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks!
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Post by Guest 121 on Jun 27, 2008 6:56:42 GMT -8
Peter
Well it is in the water.
Thank you Landlocked for uploading those pictures.
It looks like a few windows are still not in, and the windows also do lot look like they fit square (front left side)
And that prop sure looks small for the size of boat.
Only time will tell, but as my friend told me before, she is pretty budget looking.
Is there a coffee bar on board? Snacks?
Do you think we will see it at Gibsons this weekend?
Lots of questions still, but the answerss are slowly comming.
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Post by yvr on Jun 27, 2008 6:57:48 GMT -8
A couple of questions: Is the main entrance for pax loading via the bow door? Does this mean the vessel has to nose into a special pier? How does one load pax from the port, or starboard sides? On warmer days how do you get sufficient airflow through the enclosed superstructure? Is that small RV sized unit mounted above the cabin supposed to provide adequate conditioned air? Except for the rear door, even the bridge appears air tight. On the opposite side how do you heat it in the winter, whilst providing air flow to keep windows de misted?
Being a smaller boat, what wave height will be your criteria for sailing cancellation? Based on that and past history of sea conditions, how many days a year do you anticapte not being able to operate?
YVR
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Post by Commuter on Jun 27, 2008 21:07:51 GMT -8
OK everyone is talking about this forum and Coastal Link Ferries on the Queen of Surrey, even the crew. Now we see the boat, or long barge with funny thing on back to be more accurate. Does Coastal Link Ferries actually think anyone is taking them seriously now? Everyone I talk to on the Queen of Surrey was thinking maybe, but now they see it, no way. The problems from a passenger point of view are: - There is no air flow, no deck to get air on.
- The exits are too small
- The passengers are forward, the most uncomfortable place to be.
- There is only one engine, when it goes how long will we be sitting in Georgia Straight, with no power, no heat, in the dead of winter?
- It might as well be a river barge.
Then looking closer, there is no bottom paint. Was this a real launch and Coastal Link Ferries intends to operate with no bottom paint, or is the truth this was just a trial launch to see if it will float, and she is back on dry land again. I hope the town of Gibsons keeps these jokers out of Gibsons, we don't need any more false starts.
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Post by tempest on Jun 28, 2008 8:15:06 GMT -8
Well all I can say is...You've got to be kidding right?
Can you say contraption?
Look, don't get me wrong, there are some interesting vessels around, all over the world. What bothers me about this boat, if that's what you can call it...is what looks like a total disregard for accepted quality construction processes. You're kidding with the plexiglass windows, right? You're kidding with the single Chinese engine, right? So what's the interior going to look like, plywood and bare aluminum.
So, how is this boat going to fare achieving a Home Trade III certificicate? You're kidding right?
What about the access for folks with disabilities?
This is not a case of unique design, or going off the beaten tracks. This boat is just plain and simple "bad".
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 28, 2008 9:48:15 GMT -8
The pictures that Landlocked posted were not what I was envisioning. Here's some example pics that I found on the net, that I've sorted between "Passenger ferry" and "water taxi". I put the Coastal Link "boat" into the category of "water taxi"....and I won't call it a "ship", because it looks pretty hoist-able to me. The terms "ferry" and "water taxi" are usually used depending on the style of route (fixed points vs pickup-drop-off), but there is usually a typical style of ship that would fit into either of those categories. And what I'm finding is that even though Coastal Link's route suggests that it's a "ferry" and not a "water taxi", the style of ship seems more indicative of a water-taxi. ====================== www.barkleysoundmarine.com/seaway.pdfHere's the MV SeaWay Express, which runs from Ucluelet to Barkley Sound. It's a smaller ship, but I call it "ship" and it looks a lot less claustrophobic then C-Link's boat. I like the fact that the seating is in real seats, divided into 2 cabins, and it looks like there is room to breathe and enjoy the trip. This type of ship I would call a ferry, as there's more room to move around, and it's not bench-style water-taxi seating. www.sarkshipping.info/index.cfm?fuseaction=about.indexHere's "Isle of Sark Shipping Company" in the Channel Islands. 2 main ships, and some smaller items that they call "12 seat high speed passenger launches". But the 2 main ships look like ships, and I'd call them ferries. www.victoriaexpress.com/welcome.html- Victoria Express. Looks like a ship and a ferry to me. Looks like you can walk around without hitting your head, and looks large enough to have some personal space. That upstairs outside area likely makes a huge difference to passenger comfort options. ------------------- Now for some water-taxi boats: www.saltspring.com/watertaxi/about.htm- Gulf Islands water taxi. www.vancouverwatertaxi.com/- Vancouver water taxi =========== Wikipedia has a short article explaining the difference in route-styles for ferries vs water taxis. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_taxi
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Post by NMcKay on Jun 28, 2008 12:02:18 GMT -8
Im going to break my posting silence to say something. i think us here in BC have been a little too spoiled with the ferries that we get to ride on. this is a no frills vessel, in which the owner did not need to spend 2,000,000$ to make this boat "Pretty" and therefore does not need to pass the costs down to the consumer. i think it will be a good vessel. and i for one will not hesitate to be there on opening weekend... even just to try it one time.
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Post by Guest 101 on Jul 1, 2008 8:17:51 GMT -8
Interesting pictures…
Small beam on her – therefore wondering a little bit about her sea keeping properties?
Single screw – single rudder system – and no bow thrusters? Manoeuvrability?? Berthing?? Docking??? All sound Questionable?
Pretty flat bottom – to long to surf the waves – so a hard landing – could be uncomfortable?
Looks like an over grown Crew boat?
As it’s not my “dime” good luck to them…..
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Post by Guest 101 on Jul 1, 2008 8:40:57 GMT -8
www.doosanengine.com/eng/company/allcompany.html With regards to there choice of power plant – the above link is to the web site. I was very briefly aware that they made – low speed “large” diesel engines – but not aware that they made small marine engines for this type of boat. The prop doesn’t look anything interesting – or out of the norm. Gearbox – what type? I guess the next question is reliability and spare parts – and is it fuel-efficient. What sort of top end speed are they looking for on this boat? I would be interested to hear – know about the power band this engine has – and where the critical period comes in on the power band. (Hence engine vibration) Dealers – Agents on the West Coast?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 1, 2008 10:11:05 GMT -8
...I would be interested to hear – know about the power band this engine has – and where the critical period comes in on the power band. (Hence engine vibration) Dealers – Agents on the West Coast? You've got to love the casual spectator's interest, without undisclosed agenda, that the various casual guests on this forum have re these various topics.
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Post by Guest 101 on Jul 1, 2008 10:44:25 GMT -8
Mr. Horn,
I some times ask the questions or even…very rarely come up with an answer (this is a surprise to Neil of course)
Yes there are a lot of - can I use the term Ferry Greek’s on this forum – but they are only interested in some aspects of the business. Maybe I can fill in and ask questions or post answers to some of the missing parts, or just cause problems, as Neil likes to mention about my posts.
As for the Coastal Link – it is interesting – as in an interesting project, But of course been an arm chair pain in the butt…(there you go Neil) ….I take the easy route and find fault – as that is the simplest route – but of course finding a solution to any possible fault is extremely hard.
I therefore wish Peter Green and his team all the best – and hope they are still around in the next 10 years – and have proved every one of us wrong.
You may have noticed in a lot of the threads – posting that everyone has a view – but when a problem is posed, there appears to be very few solutions to the problems.
We are of course all armchair experts and know everything that is anything concerning the Ferry business on the West Coast of BC. We are special…. or think we are… but it is people like Peter Green and his team and also Bill McKay formerly of Harbourlynx, who have actually gone out there and done or doing the business that we may dream about.
Some may voice there views – that BC Ferries is the best thing since sliced bread – others may think say the opposite…that is this forum – right or wrong.
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Post by tempest on Jul 1, 2008 10:55:24 GMT -8
What a difference a week makes... One week ago coastallink wrote, "Hey... you want a business lesson for operating a Ferry in the Region and Market?" Then...some pix get posted, and all of a sudden the teacher has fallen silent...coincidence? While Klatawa Teen does bring up a good point concerning standards of service one would imagine that coastal people are willing to be more adventurous than the 'average' prairie born tourist. Nevertheless, even the most adventurous coastal traveller is very aware when they see poor quality, unsafe conditions, or substandard service delivery. Here's a well thought out, highly polished locally available product. www.allamericanmarine.com/cats/P115_Tennessee.html
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