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Post by Coastal Canuck on Jun 5, 2009 15:50:36 GMT -8
does the CC still use Berth 2 at Swartz Bay?
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Nick
Voyager 
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,080 
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Post by Nick on Jun 5, 2009 16:53:31 GMT -8
The CC will always use berth 2 at SWB. There is too much propeller wash for her to use berth 1. I'm sure they could use it in a pinch, but berth 2 is much easier.
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 5, 2009 17:39:33 GMT -8
I have now made a total of three trips on Coastal class vessels and each time I noted just how long it was taking to get them berthed. The most recent time was in April watching to C-Cel come into berth 5 at Tsawwassen.
I'm with Dane on this - what is the reason?
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Post by gordon on Jun 5, 2009 18:09:59 GMT -8
Is this problem more prevalent on the C-Cell or is it consistent with the other 2 as well?
How much impact does this issue have on the C Cell's on time performance?
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887
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Post by Mill Bay on Jun 5, 2009 19:12:39 GMT -8
Maybe no one wants to be the captain that causes the first dock demolishing by the Celebration.
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Post by Dane on Jun 6, 2009 18:57:59 GMT -8
Definitely not consistent across the Coastals, CI and CR are a lot faster into berth. In fact one time I watched (several months ago) the CI arrive after the CC started her approach, and docked and started unloading before the CC.
I think I was on the 2pm (from Tsa) and 4pm (from Swartz) on Thursday.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jun 6, 2009 19:06:30 GMT -8
I guess the CC crews simply need more training.
Either that or berth 5 wasn't properly retrofitted to accept the Super C's.
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Post by waynem on Jun 12, 2009 21:40:34 GMT -8
It was interesting to read the comment on how clean the CC was compared to th CR. However lets not forget that the CR actually gets used while the CC sits looking pretty tide up at SB most of the time. I think the CC should be much better utilized than it has been. Having a brand new ship as a second is pure nonsense and please dont tell me she has to stay on RT-1 because of her buffet, that is another sore spot with me. I never realized Victorians were so much higher class than than the rest of us Islanders.
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rt1commuter
Chief Steward
JP - Overworked grad student
Posts: 167
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Post by rt1commuter on Jun 15, 2009 22:02:48 GMT -8
I don't understand why people keep getting their feather ruffled over the CC spending most of her time tied up. Was she necessary? Of course she was! It really doesn't matter whether an old or a new ferry makes a crossing, so long as there's a crossing. The CC was needed because the old queens had to go. Since BC ferries brass has decided that the C's can't do active pass, what do you want them to do? Pull one of the (higher capacity) Spirits so that they can run the fancy new boat?
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 16, 2009 8:37:11 GMT -8
By the way the Celebration is running EVERY DAY now and will be till the end of the summer so you cant say now she is sitting around tied up at Swartz Bay!
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Post by waynem on Jun 16, 2009 14:58:06 GMT -8
That is all fine but what happens after the summer season ends ?
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rt1commuter
Chief Steward
JP - Overworked grad student
Posts: 167
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Post by rt1commuter on Jun 16, 2009 16:14:18 GMT -8
Then they tie her back up. As it should be. Maybe MAYBE if traffic is low and it's more cost effective to do so, they'll stop running the SoVI weekdays or something like that, but I wouldn't count on it.
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Post by waynem on Jun 18, 2009 6:31:20 GMT -8
It should be used not tied up. Why dont they tie up the CR and CI over the winter then ? Surely there are other runs the CC could be put on over the winter where it would at least pay for itself. The taxpayers of this province payed dearly for that boat and it should by used. I liken it to building a new highway then closing it for most of the year. The CC should be based out of HB running opposite to the CR.
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Post by gordon on Jun 18, 2009 7:06:54 GMT -8
The CI is required full time on route 30 for it's oversize capacity.
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rt1commuter
Chief Steward
JP - Overworked grad student
Posts: 167
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Post by rt1commuter on Jun 18, 2009 8:36:24 GMT -8
So let me get this straight.... you're proposing that BC Ferries run a vessel that's more expensive to run on route 2 in place of vessels that are less expensive to run, so that it "pays for itself"? There's no cost advantage to running the CC over, say the Queen of Oak Bay - In fact, per crossing both the CR and CC are far more expensive to run than any of the Cs.
I think you're forgetting that these vessels are going to be around for 40+ years. Whether the vessel spends 8 months of the year (minus weekends) tied up right now or not is somewhat irrelevent on these sorts of time-scales.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 18, 2009 9:19:53 GMT -8
Space on the CC would just be wasted like it is on the CR and CI if she was to run on Route 2 in the off season. Not to mention, she'd have to be tied up for a month or two anyways for crew familiarization. Out of the numerous times that I've been on the CR, I've only seen her deck space used to its full potential, two or three times. I'm sure its been used more than that, but the ratio of Coastal-lite sailings vs. full Coastal service would likely be the same. I've even seen the Seawest Lounge closed aboard the CR a few times, leaving just the essential BCF service, plus Sitka Coffee lounge. But at least they do use the TV lounge on Deck 5. Therefore, the service would be the same if the CC came to Route 2 in the off season, plus the buffet lounge would likely be closed off as well.
Last time I was aboard the Coastal Celebration, I was also looking at the basic infrastructure of the Buffet, and comparing it with the Sitka Coffee lounges on the CR and CI. Everything is almost exactly the same in the Buffet, aside from the obvious differences with the tables and chairs, etc. Even the floor has the same carpet and flooring materials, giving the exact same layout as the sitka coffee. I think the lights are also placed in the same areas as well. So from a certain standpoint, it almost looks like it would be fairly simple and quick, if the Sitka Coffee lounge, was switched to a Buffet, or vice versa. From what I could tell, all that would need to be done is having to move the bulky items out of the way, such as the booth seats, and move in the Bread garden fridge, and Starbucks coffee machines, and voila, Sitka Coffee lounge. Quite smart if you ask me.....
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 18, 2009 17:32:12 GMT -8
The taxpayers of this province payed dearly for that boat and it should by used. To be technical, the new Super-C ferries were financed initially by German bank loans. When those loans mature, they will be financed by bond-debt. The debt will be repaid by cash generated by operations........which means tariffs (fares). So it's the ferry-users who are paying dearly for these new ships. And if the ferry-company goes bankrupt or the corporate-structure is changed, then it might be the taxpayers who will be paying. |
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Post by Dane on Jun 20, 2009 12:59:33 GMT -8
I fail to see how the CR is wasted on Rte 2... like every route there are quieter times but there's finally a vessel that's comfortable to be on most of time - rather than the frequently busy conditions that exist on a C on a majority of sailings seemingly regardless of load.
I also fail to see how a Coastal is so much more expensive to run than a C? We have had this discussion many times, but we don't have confirmed fuel consumption humgers - and those we do have are based on the CR running on 4 engines and don't include the C's generator units. Crews on a Coastal can be 1 person smaller than a C. Perhaps a bit more to run, but certainly not a huge jump in costs.
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 21, 2009 21:37:38 GMT -8
Today while disembarking from the CC at Swartz Bay, I noticed this damage to the "ceiling" above the foot passenger walkway access point:  |
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jun 21, 2009 21:46:23 GMT -8
Looks like someone didn't raise the overhead walkway ramp properly...  By any chance were they sounding the full chord on the whistle today..? |
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 21, 2009 22:45:30 GMT -8
Sadly, no full chord.
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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 Jun 23, 2009 10:40:50 GMT -8
Anyone know why the SOVI is out tonight after the 5pm sailing?  There is no 7pm from Swartz and 9pm from Tsawwassen but the Celebration is doing an 8pm from Swartz Bay and a 10pm from Tsawwassen. No service notice on it. Anyone know what's up?? |
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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 Jun 23, 2009 12:03:55 GMT -8
It actually looks like the SOVI is going to be out of service tommorrow as the Celebration is taking over for the SOVI and the Celebrations sailings are not operating tommorrow but the the New West is doing her regular sailings tommorrow to help out! Looks like I might do a trip then tommorrow if that is the case!
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Post by gordon on Jun 23, 2009 12:26:43 GMT -8
There is a service notice now. the SoVI's regular schedule or tomorrow has been canceled and the C Cell is doing her normal schedule. Why would they not just have slotted her in to the SoVI's normal schedule.
That would seem to be the logical thing to do.
How have the 4 Flensberger Vessels been performing?
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,080
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Post by Nick on Jun 23, 2009 16:58:33 GMT -8
According to the service notice I received in my email, the SOVI's sailings tonight have been canceled after the 5pm sailing. The Coastal Celebration will take her place all day tomorrow, and the New Westminster will do an extra round trip, so her day starts at 8am.
Apparently the SOVI is out due to a bow thruster issue. They're hoping to have it fixed for Thursday morning.
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There is no 7pm from Swartz and 9pm from Tsawwassen but the Celebration is doing an 8pm from Swartz Bay and a 10pm from Tsawwassen. No service notice on it. Anyone know what's up??