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Post by DENelson83 on Jan 5, 2009 12:48:59 GMT -8
The Skeena Queen is 24 m in beam. Berth 5 is about 25 m wide. She'll fit.
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Post by Mac Write on Jan 5, 2009 14:08:36 GMT -8
I doubt SoBC will use berth 2 as the foot passenger lounge is too small, also isn't loading/unloading a bit slower?
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Post by Dane on Jan 5, 2009 14:09:57 GMT -8
They have been using the Berth 1 holding area and directing passengers to Berth 2 when it's time to load... Obviously this is for the CC sailings.
The Swartz bay foot passenger area design is not ideal for using anything but Berth 1, however it's certainly not a huge issue by any means - the walk is only like 50 meters if that.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jan 6, 2009 21:22:51 GMT -8
Apparently Tsawwassen kept sending the CC back with mechanical problems today.
Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Spirit of British Columbia 7:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:35 AM On Time
Coastal Celebration 9:00 AM 9:37 AM 10:53 AM Operational delay
Spirit of British Columbia 11:00 AM 10:59 AM 12:33 PM On Time
Coastal Celebration 1:00 PM 1:27 PM 2:41 PM Mechanical difficulties with vessel
Spirit of British Columbia 3:00 PM 2:59 PM 4:34 PM On Time
Coastal Celebration 5:00 PM 5:10 PM 6:32 PM Mechanical difficulties with vessel
Spirit of British Columbia 7:00 PM 6:59 PM 8:36 PM On Time
Coastal Celebration 9:00 PM 9:04 PM ETA: 10:39 PM Mechanical difficulties with vessel
Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Coastal Celebration 7:00 AM 7:20 AM 9:04 AM Operational delay
Spirit of British Columbia 9:00 AM 8:59 AM 10:31 AM On Time
Coastal Celebration 11:00 AM 11:27 AM 12:55 PM Operational delay
Spirit of British Columbia 1:00 PM 12:58 PM 2:30 PM On Time
Coastal Celebration 3:00 PM 3:17 PM 4:41 PM Traffic delays
Spirit of British Columbia 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:36 PM On Time
Coastal Celebration 7:00 PM 7:03 PM 8:35 PM On Time
Spirit of British Columbia 9:00 PM 8:58 PM ETA: 10:35 PM On Time
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Post by gordon on Jan 6, 2009 21:48:15 GMT -8
There seemed to be either operational delays or mechanical difficulties at either end of the route, but her crossing times we actually less than the scheduled times. I wonder what these problems were- obviously not that major-?
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Post by Hardy on Jan 9, 2009 3:13:34 GMT -8
There seemed to be either operational delays or mechanical difficulties at either end of the route, but her crossing times we actually less than the scheduled times. I wonder what these problems were- obviously not that major-? FYI on the CurCon -- I talked to a reservation person today at length booking a slew of commercial reservations, and while we were waiting for her system to update and spit out confirmation #s, I asked about the CurCon thing and the lack of details (as well as the service notice issue with the vagueness and lack of any detail!) ... and, much like I thought (about the CurCon) ... Those delay reasons are all just MACROS. When the terminal staff updates the depart time, if it is more than 10mins past schedule, the system prompts them for a "reason code"; they are programmed, for example (These are not the real ones, just examples): F1 : Traffic delays F2 : Mechanical difficulties with Terminal Equipment F3 : Mechanical difficulties with vessel F4 : Weather delays F5 : BC Ferries Vessel assists with Marine Emergency etc so if someone is not being careful, or has fat pudgy fingers, they can stroke the wrong key easily. Either that, or just to get information in and on to the next screen, they hit the closest key to their donut-sprinkle-covered finger without regard for the data they are inputting. |
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Post by chinook2 on Jan 9, 2009 9:21:45 GMT -8
The SoVI's away in drydock somewhere, The Vancouver's safely tied up in Berth 3, Skeena's using 2, and all is well at Swartz Bay.
I am thinking when SoVI ties up at SB prior to going back into service that she'll be in Berth 2, and all three in service ships will use 1. The Vancouver will move over to three after unloading at the end of her day. When Berth 2 was being renovated Saanich only unloaded in Berth 3 if she was finishing a 10pm and SoVI was already tied up. If her day ended before SoVI, they'd unload in Berth 1.
On a related note, does any one know if the Vancouver has any other work before she retires?? She's got two round trips on Sun. Feb 1, and if it's her last trips was thinking of taking the day off and making both of them.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager 
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 9, 2009 10:19:09 GMT -8
The SOVI is in Esquimalt Drydock. I think she left on Wednesday for the drydock. I could see something in there but couldent get a close up look as she is actually in the drydock right now.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jan 9, 2009 11:36:05 GMT -8
Then why not use a little aerial surveillance for some close-ups?
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,080 
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Post by Nick on Jan 9, 2009 12:43:01 GMT -8
The Celebration will not use berth 1 for a variety of reasons that have been posted above. Currently, the route one ships alternate between using berth 2 and berth 1 for the CC and SOBC respectively.
For night tie-up, we will most likely see the SOVI not-in-service at berth 3, CC in 2, and Vancouver in 1.
As far as the Vancouver's last kick at the can goes, as far as I know this is her last assignment. Once the SOVI comes back, the CC will resume her duties as #2, and the QoNW will take over for the SOBC when she goes out for refit. The Vancouver will then be decommissioned and BCF will have another retired ship on their hands to get rid of.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 9, 2009 13:03:18 GMT -8
Having the Queen of Vancouver in berth 1 overnight means that they will have to move her every night after the SOBC leaves on her last sailing??? Or is the SOBC gonna use berth 2 so the Vancouver can sit in berth 1 for the week??
If the Vancouver's is finished the end of the month any idea when the decomission ceremony might be?? I definately want to try and be at this one.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,080
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Post by Nick on Jan 9, 2009 13:13:47 GMT -8
The other alternative is to tie the SOVI up in berth 1 and use berth 2 as the primary route 1 berth. Bottom line is that the CC will not use berth 1, so they have to do a juggling act to accommodate the other ships.
Haven't heard anything about the Vancouver's decommissioning yet.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887
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Post by Mill Bay on Jan 9, 2009 16:06:12 GMT -8
The other alternative is to tie the SOVI up in berth 1 and use berth 2 as the primary route 1 berth. Bottom line is that the CC will not use berth 1, so they have to do a juggling act to accommodate the other ships. Haven't heard anything about the Vancouver's decommissioning yet. I'm still curious what type of maneuvering a spirit would have to do in order to dock in berth 2, because if they come in the normal way, they're approaching it head on. |
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 9, 2009 16:22:59 GMT -8
Seems kinda dumb to have a new ship that can only use 1 berth. The Inspiration can use berth 3 and 5 at Tsawwassen. I know berth 2 was upgraded for the Celebration but still she should be able to use berth 1. Can the Renaissance use all berths at Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay aside from the foot passenger ramps not lining up??
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Post by Starsteward on Jan 9, 2009 17:50:49 GMT -8
Would really appreciate knowing when the decommissioning of the Vancouver will be as it will be the last one for a bit, the QPR, notwithstanding.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jan 9, 2009 17:57:11 GMT -8
I guess after the QPR is retired, the next vessels to be replaced will be the B-class vessels.
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Post by Kahloke on Jan 9, 2009 18:46:05 GMT -8
For major vessels, probably yes - what about minor vessels? Aren't some of those getting pretty old now?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 9, 2009 19:01:09 GMT -8
I guess after the QPR is retired, the next vessels to be replaced will be the B-class vessels. I think that Tenaka is the next to go, after QPR. I'm basing that on a timeline that was posted on one of the forum threads in the past few months.... |
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 9, 2009 19:23:02 GMT -8
The Chilliwack and Tenaka are next on the chopping block in the next 5 years or so.
I've never seen the Renaissance use Berth 3 at Horseshoe Bay before. But I know she can use both Berth 2 and 1, and have watched her do it in the past.
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jan 9, 2009 20:41:36 GMT -8
Can the Renaissance use all berths at Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay aside from the foot passenger ramps not lining up?? The CR can use ALL berths at HSB AND both regular berths at DB WITH the overhead walkways lining up. Obviously the CR has used both DB berths and berth 1 at HSB regularly. For a while last fall, berth 1 at HSB was closed for maintenance so the CR had to use berth 2. Interestingly the crew has a choice what overhead walkway to use at berth 2. They can either use the berth 2/3 walkway on the port side on the area of the outside deck that's accessible to passengers or they can use the berth 1/2 walkway ahead of the bridge like the Cowichan and Oak Bay do. If you look at the starboard side "pickle fork" there are 2 walkway access gates next to each other. The one closest to the bridge is the same gate the CC uses at TSA. The gate further ahead is to line up with the berth 1/2 walkway at berth 2 HSB. Although, when I was on the CR using berth 2 the crew told me they use the berth 2/3 walkway because most foot passengers are used to gathering in that area to disembark. Even though I don't know of an example of the CR operating out of berth 3 at HSB, I did see her tied up there for an hour or so last year before she entered service and the ramps seemed to fit just fine. |
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Quatchi
Voyager
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Jan 9, 2009 21:49:09 GMT -8
RE: next ships to be replaced. The Queen of Chilliwack is under a different category than any other vessel in the fleet. Her funding is generated completely by subsidies for the Discovery Coast run during the summer. She is on a different account and time line than the "B" class.
The Wack is also pretty close to becoming condemned to run up north even during the summer due to her single compartment hull. Her current certificate expires June 30th 2011 and I believe that is also the day that all the current crew contracts as well as the contract for the Discovery Passage expires.
So, either on August 1st 2011 we will see a new ship, new crew contracts and new route contracts OR the Discovery Passage run will cease to exist.
Funding Regarding the future of this ship is government decision, not really BCF's, but the "B" class and all other vessels are the responsibility of BCF, so its a different block.
This is to my understanding of the discovery coast contract and the Queen of Chilliwack as fully government subsidized vessel during her time up north.
Cheers,
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,307
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Post by Neil on Jan 9, 2009 23:10:00 GMT -8
The Wack is also pretty close to becoming condemned to run up north even during the summer due to her single compartment hull. Her current certificate expires June 30th 2011 and I believe that is also the day that all the current crew contracts as well as the contract for the Discovery Passage expires. So, either on August 1st 2011 we will see a new ship, new crew contracts and new route contracts OR the Discovery Passage run will cease to exist. Cheers, Not necessarily the case. This isn't the right thread for this, but David Hahn indicated quite clearly at the last AGM that the future of the Discovery Coast run was not in jeopardy. He also indicated that the Queen of Chilliwack's operating certificate could ( or had been) extended beyond 2011, and that an upgrade of the ship was one option being considered. |
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Post by Curtis on Jan 9, 2009 23:26:45 GMT -8
I believe the time line of known ship replacement goes something like this.
Queen of Prince Rupert: Spring 2009 (Northern Expedition)
Queen of Chilliwack: 2011 (Northern Discovery)
Tenaka: 2013 (60 AEQ Vessel)
Queen of Burnaby & Nanaimo: 2014/15 (185 AEQ Vessel)
Queen of New Westminster: 2014/15 (Unknown Size Vessel...Maybe a Coastal Class?)
North Island Princess: 2014/15 (60 AEQ Vessel)
After the known vessels, the remaining 1960 built vessels (and the Mill Bay) will be replaced...
Mill Bay (I'm going to predict that if BCFS aquires the Klatawa and Kulleet, she will be retired)
HSQ (Either a Skeena Queen or I-Sky type vessel)
Powell River Class (I-Sky Style Vessels)
Tachek and QQII (Probably 60 AEQ Vessels)
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Post by Kahloke on Jan 9, 2009 23:37:55 GMT -8
They just dumped a bunch of money into QNW. Why would they have done that if they intend to replace her in just a few years (2014/2015)?
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Post by chinook2 on Jan 10, 2009 4:26:55 GMT -8
Cause they needed her till 2014/5?
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