COASTAL CELEBRATION - Photos & Discussion

[Balfour]

Finally, the last of the Super C's have entered Service!

The Coastal Celebration has done some MD sailings today and she is due to enter service officially on Friday.

[DENelson83]

Hey, Coastal Skier, just so you know, we already have a thread for this topic.

*hopes this post isn't interpreted as mini-moderation*

[cohocatcher]

Nov 19, 2008 20:18:31 GMT -8 DENelson83 said:

Hey, Coastal Skier, just so you know, we already have a thread for this topic.

*hopes this post isn't interpreted as mini-moderation*

Nope. The name of this thread conforms to that established for other vessels in operation. It is NOT a debate.

[Dane]

I heard from someone yesterday that she'll do a noon sailing on Friday from Swartz Bay. Can anyone confirm? I don't want to be there four hours early if she's not going until 4pm!

[WettCoast]

Her transit time today on return from TSW to SWB was fast. I read two reports - one saying 90 minutes and the other saying 75. These are fast, but no better than what the Alberni used to routinely do on this route 32 years ago.

[Nick]

Yes, her first sailing will be at noon. I overheard at the Saanich's decommissioning that there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony around 11.

[Koastal Karl]

What sailings are you doing on Friday Dane?? A few are doing the 6pm from Tsawwassen, I think Donella is doing the noon sailing and I am not sure what sailings I am doing yet.

[Dane]

I am going to do noon, taking the 9am from Tsawwassen.

[Mac Write]

Unfortunetly (well it seems I want to go to the ribben cutting, but never go. This time I am having a day of Shredding the past. More about that on my YouTube and blog soon.

[Esquimalt Queen]

Ooh, I'll definitely be there for the ribbon cutting ceremony!!

[rt1commuter]

I'll be there at the ribbon cutting as well. Though none of you guys know me I suppose. Either way, I'll be there .

[DENelson83]

Sorry, but Swartz Bay is out of range for me (243 km one-way by road). And one ribbon-cutting for me is enough.

[Koastal Karl]

My plan is either the noon sailing to Tsawwassen then the 6pm back to Swartz but I dont really want to hang around TSA for 4 hours.

My other plan is 11am to Tsawwassen then the 2pm roundtrip to Swartz Bay then either back on the 6pm or 7pm to Swartz Bay.

I am still undecided on which of those I will do.

[DENelson83]

So which route is the CC taking out of Swartz Bay? East of Pym Island or west of Piers Island?

[Nick]

The route out of SWB is entirely left to the Captain's discretion. He can choose whichever "safe" passage he wants. If they're leaving berth 2, chances are they will sail east of Pym Island, the way the Spirits generally take to enter the bay. However, as I say, that can change at a moment's notice.

[DENelson83]

Hey, Esquimalt Queen, you're a star! I just saw you on 'A' News tonight. They acknowledged this forum during their story on the commissioning of the CC.

[Dane]

To answer the question about routes: she did both today out of Swartz Bay.

I was on the 12, 2, and 4pm sailings plying the waters. The seas were somewhat rough East of the Gulf Islands so I still have that feeling that I am on the ship even though I have not been for well over an hour.

General comments:

- the hand out all passengers were given when purchasing a fare for the first official, scheduled run proclaimed that the introduction of the CC represented a substantial increase to capacity. This is simply not true. While vehicle capacity will certainly increase, in the summer months the Queen of Saanich could accommodate 101 more passengers. The Queen of New Westminster will also likely have a similar license capacity to the Queen of Vancouver, so while there is net gain, it's not that big a deal.

- She does the crossing fast. The times posted on "arrivals/departures are very deceiving. The noon and 2pm sailings were both only about an hour and 20 minutes. There is a complication to this, however. The crew really needs practice docking, it took 12 minutes for us to successfully land in Tsawwssen the first time, and about 10 minutes the second time. Moreover the 4pm was delayed by heavy seas and a late departure of the SoVI. I am sure they will overcome this quickly, but it was almost frustrating to watch (they came in with too much power at the fore end it seemed, as when we hit the dolphins we'd end up reversing at a good 4-5 knots and then having to approach again)

- We used Berth 2 at Swartz Bay for all sailings. I am unsure if this is temporary or forever, it won't be convenient for foot passengers if it is permanent. It requires walking from the regular foot passenger lounge at Berth 1, over to Berth 2 where there is only sufficient seating for the Southern Gulf Islands and virtually no cue for waiting.

- Several improvements to note with the learned experience with the previous two Coastals being in service. Most noticeable was certainly the muffler. The helicopter sound is completely gone, and it was very pleasant in the solariums whereas previously the solarium at the aft could be unpleasantly loud. On the car decks the door ways also have had a smooth rise put in to the doors to alleviate the tripping hazard. You can tell it's not FSG original work though - it's got that "BCF done on the fly" look to it. Crew members also welcomed passengers aboard and instructed them how to get to popular spots. Having been on the close-to-first runs or pre-service runs of the CR and CI this wasn't done. Photo's throughout the vessel are tasteful and add to the ambiance.

- Overhearing passenger comments they were generally quite positive. The Coastal class continues to eat up crowds, as one of the sailings was actually quite busy judging on the lines in the terminal but didn't feel it at all. Of course Deck 5 was also open - we'll see if that continues. I have a feeling it will actually, as A licenses are normal on Rte 1.

- Some very small detail changes, such as the black rims around tables are made of metal in several areas as opposed to hard plastics. There is also faux leather on the stools in the Coastal Cafe Express which is different than the other vessels.

- The welcome aboard and safety announcements are from the CR with the SitKa lounge edited out, with no buffet portion added.

- Funny moment: arriving at Tsawwassen for the first time the foot passenger ramp operator yelled to she ship, "I have never put a ramp on one of these things. Where does it go?" She proceeded to do a very fine job.

- Exterior lighting has been reconfigured on Deck 5 to make the ship less bright from ashore and other vessels. Again, this is based on lessons learned from the CR and CI.

Overall she's another wonderful addition to the fleet. Like the previous two Coastals she's well appointed and will be underutilized. The Pacific Buffet is absolutely lovely, and being next to the SeaWest Lounge makes it appear, very unfortunately, like there is a first class area to the ship.

Hopefully this vessel will take her rightful spot as a #1, somewhere, in the somewhat near future.

[Hardy]

Docking at Tsawwassen in any kind of high wind/rough sea conditions has been an issue for ALL vessels. I remember a QoA sailing on Rte-30 that bounced around Tsawwassen for 20+ minutes trying to berth in the middle of a winter storm.

You are probably correct though, with some additional practice, they will indeed get better at driving her into the hole.

[Dane]

Nov 21, 2008 19:45:12 GMT -8 Hardy said:

Docking at Tsawwassen in any kind of high wind/rough sea conditions has been an issue for ALL vessels. I remember a QoA sailing on Rte-30 that bounced around Tsawwassen for 20+ minutes trying to berth in the middle of a winter storm.

You are probably correct though, with some additional practice, they will indeed get better at driving her into the hole.

True true, but it wasn't just Tsawwassen Same thing happened with the CR when she came in - although I didn't notice it on the CI for whatever reason. The handling from the Queen of Saanich to the Coastal Celebration must just be absolutely night and day though! Steep learning curve.

[Esquimalt Queen]

Nov 21, 2008 18:36:08 GMT -8 @4roads said:

Indeed.

Meet the Queen..

Worst picture ever!! I hate being on video, I hate the way my mouth moves when I talk....eewy.

[Esquimalt Queen]

Oh god, I look like such a loser on the video!

[DENelson83]

Whaddaya mean? 'Ya look like you're having a lot of fun!

Now you need to look forward to your first sailing on the CC in sunny weather.

[Mill Bay]

Nov 21, 2008 18:11:20 GMT -8 DENelson83 said:

Hey, Esquimalt Queen, you're a star! I just saw you on 'A' News tonight. They acknowledged this forum during their story on the commissioning of the CC.

Truly, I think the rest of us can all throw in the towel on this one. She has clearly beat us to the punch in terms of becoming famous. Now that the tattoo has shown up on television, I think this is the point at which the rest of us can all sigh and give up the quest, because we will clearly never reach that level of fanaticism... ;D

[Curtis]

My god, we're gaining publicity. Just wait until the NorEx enters service we might get mentioned again. I doubt they'll make mention of the I-Sky but who knows.

Once again a single forum member is mentioned. They should have done a few others. Oh well, Donella now joins news mentions such as Scott in that newspaper article from however many months ago and don't forget about Markus' little news clip, He liked the Beer, that was all.

[DENelson83]

Nov 21, 2008 23:29:08 GMT -8 Curtis said:

Once again a single forum member is mentioned. They should have done a few others. Oh well, Donella now joins news mentions such as Scott in that newspaper article from however many months ago and don't forget about Markus' little news clip, He liked the Beer, that was all.

Don't forget my mention in the Times-Colonist and my interview on CBC Television before the CR's maiden voyage.