Mirrlees
Voyager 
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
|
Post by Mirrlees on Jun 27, 2009 21:58:38 GMT -8
Coastal Celebration en route to Tsawwassen:  In Active Pass as seen from the New West:  All photos copyright Mirrlees |
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Jun 28, 2009 9:43:41 GMT -8
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. My understanding is that they do include the C's generator units as per the following quote from the Less fuel-efficient ferries thread « Reply #35 on 19 Nov, 2008, 4:20pm » By the way fuel consumption is on ships calculated on daily basis using dips in fuel tanks. It is provision to monitor fuel consumption of main engines, specially on ship like Super C with 2000 parameters monitored continuously. But if comes to fuel consumption is one figure recorded on daily basis. Another item to consider here is that BCFS is pulling the last return trip of the CR off on Monday through Thursday in their upcoming Route 2 fall schedule. Is this just co-incidence? There would be several good reasons to pull the last QOB sailings instead. Did BCFS pull the CR rather than the QOB primarily for fuel economy reasons? |
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Jul 15, 2009 18:08:35 GMT -8
|
|
Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
|
Post by Mirrlees on Jul 16, 2009 23:04:53 GMT -8
July 14, 2009.  Photo copyright Mirrlees |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 31, 2009 19:24:32 GMT -8
C-Cell emerging from behind an island on her departure from Swartz. Photo taken from MV Skeena Queen as Skeena was approaching Swartz:  C-Cell emerging from Active Pass, headed for Tsawwassen:  C-Cell passing in front of Georgina Point:  |
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Aug 17, 2009 19:08:17 GMT -8
The Coastal Celebration seems to be turned around now. She's running with the #1 end as the Swartz Bay end, and #2 end as the Tsawwassen end. Normally it's the other way around, which is how it has always been done with the CI and CR. How do I know? Look at the Olympic Graphics, or even the location of the Helicopter pickup pad. En route to Swartz Bay, #2 end (Cafeteria end) as the bow a few weeks ago.  Yesterday afternoon. #1 end (Buffet end) as the bow towards Swartz Bay.  The CI continues to sail with the Sitka Lounge as the Tsawwassen end.  This would make sense, since the C-Class always use the #2 end as the Mainland end, and the #1 as the Island end (I know Langdale isn't an Island....). They obviously have to do it that way, since it's the only way the overhead walkways would lineup, due to the layout the V-Class had back in the day to avoid massive cost overloads of switching all of the terminals around when the C's were built... |
|
|
|
Post by ferryfanyvr on Aug 17, 2009 19:32:27 GMT -8
I wonder what the reason is for the CC's end-for-end switch? It'll be interesting to see if she reverts back to "normal" during the upcoming days. That's one of the first things I noticed about the Coastals...the overhead walkway access gates are set up so that all the terminals' foot passenger ramps line up properly regardless if #1 or #2 end is in dock.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 17, 2009 21:46:38 GMT -8
I dont really think it matters what end they are using. I was on the Celebration last Tuesday and the Tsawwassen end was the Buffet and the Swartz Bay end was the Cafeteria. I will probably be on the Celebration Sunday night so I will check it out then.
|
|
|
|
Post by ferryfanyvr on Aug 18, 2009 19:33:40 GMT -8
I've been thinking...is there a provisions door on both sides of the CC or just on one side like the Spirits?...I know that when #2 end of a Coastal is in dock at an island terminal there is a provisions door on the starboard side...this is why the CR usually uses berth 2 at Departure Bay....so she can use the dock-side facilities. This would work for the CC if she was able to use berth #1 at Swartz Bay, but while in berth #2, the dock-side area for loading stores is on her port side. Perhaps they had been taking on stores via the car deck up 'til now, but have since started using the side provisions door necessitating and end-for-end swap so that her loading door is on the port side. BTW, I realize that with double-enders #1 end is the bow and #2 end is the stern, therefore only one side is actually port and one side is starboard, but for the sake of this particular discussion, I am considering the end docked at SB to be the bow  |
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Sept 12, 2009 21:23:06 GMT -8
The ship was turned around due to an issue with the stores crane on that one side. Apparently it has been fixed but it is not known if it will be switched around again or not.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 20, 2009 21:06:07 GMT -8
These are some photos I took from our trip to Galiano Canada Day. Awesome day to be on a ferry or a Gulf Island.  |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 20, 2009 21:12:15 GMT -8
Celebration at Swartz Bay in the evening sun  |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 20, 2009 21:19:23 GMT -8
Lowering the zodiac on the Celebration  off they go  |
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Dec 2, 2009 7:38:12 GMT -8
Coastal Celebration - Active Pass - 24 Nov 2009  JST photo ©Taken from the Mayne Island shoreline opposite the Bluffs on Galiano. It was a dark and blustery day... On this day the C-Cel was taking the place of the Spirit of Vancouver Island which was in refit.
|
|
|
|
Post by waynem on Dec 23, 2009 7:33:47 GMT -8
Having this ship as a second is a complete waist of a new vessel. I dont care what reasons anyone gives there is no excuse for it to be sitting at SB most of the time. It's time to redeploy it to a Route where it will be better utilized.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 23, 2009 7:50:21 GMT -8
Having this ship as a second is a complete waist of a new vessel. I dont care what reasons anyone gives there is no excuse for it to be sitting at SB most of the time. It's time to redeploy it to a Route where it will be better utilized. Did you feel the same way about the Saanich or Vancouver only being used on Route-1 during summers and other limited occasions? Or how about the Coquitlam being tied up at Langdale? ooops, sorry, you said that you don't care about reasons or reasoning. We'll send you the invoice for the soap-box rental; it's good for 2 more rants in regular monthly intervals. Talk to you again in January, but of course not in a discussion type of way, just in a shouting-on-the-street-corner type of way  ..... ps: bonus-marks are awarded for a funny homophone in your quote above. ;D |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 23, 2009 9:50:45 GMT -8
The Saanich and Vancouver were older ships! I think he just means cause the Celebration is a new ship it is a waste to have her sitting at Swartz Bay all the time. I do agree it is a waste of a new ship to have it tied up most of week.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 23, 2009 10:02:15 GMT -8
The Saanich and Vancouver were older ships! I think he just means cause the Celebration is a new ship it is a waste to have her sitting at Swartz Bay all the time. I do agree it is a waste of a new ship to have it tied up most of week. I realize that the Saanich, Vancouver & Coquitlam are older ships. But they were #2 ships because of comparative size, not because of just their age. The spirits will likely be the 2 #1 ships on Route-1 for a very long time, regardless of how new the #2 ships are. Nothing beats a spirit for capacity as the #1 ship on Route-1. I am arguing against you and Waynem because you think that the newest ships should be the #1's. Sometimes the newest ship might be a #2, and I think that's ok. I think this is what you and Waynem are disagreeing on. You both seem to think that a new ship should be a #1 somewhere, and the seniority-order just gets pushed-down and reallocated so that the newest ships are always the #1's on various routes. I disagree with that. |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 23, 2009 10:15:36 GMT -8
Well we really only have 1 full time Coastal and that's the Inspiration on route 30 but I see what your saying though the Spirits have more capacity and route 1 needs capacity I agree with that! I just think that it is a waste to have a new ship just sitting there! That is my opinion. I dont have a problem with the Celebration as the number 2 out of Swartz Bay if they want to have it sit all week they can. She does get used when the SOVI goes out and the SOBC. I dont really think there is any time when route 1 isent busy were they could use her instead of a Spirit! Route 1 is busy even when it's not suppose to be.
|
|
|
|
Post by DENelson83 on Dec 23, 2009 10:35:28 GMT -8
Well then, why don't the Swartz Bay crews simply switch between the SOVI and the CC after every round trip on route 1?
|
|
|
|
Post by waynem on Dec 23, 2009 11:13:55 GMT -8
If the Coastals are mechanically identical then rotate all three of them between RT's 1, 2 and 30 that way they all get similar running times on them.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 23, 2009 19:39:28 GMT -8
For your reading pleasure, here's a compilation of one member's past posts on 1 certain issue. You've got to admire his tenacity on this issue. It is interesting to see all these posts making the same argument. Including today's posts, you see a span of 16 months. Is it true that BC ferries is going to use the Coastal Celebration as a second ship ? To me that makes no sense at all. Why build a new ship and use it as a backup vessel ? It would seem much more practical to base the CC out of HB and use say the OAK BAY as a second. I cant understand why you would build a new ship and use it as a second vessel. I think the CC would be much more effective were she based out of HB . I'll say it again, having a brand new vessel being used as a second is totally absurd. The CC should be on RT 2 based out of HB, it would be much better utilized than having it sitting looking pretty tied up at SB most of the time. I cant believe what a waste of a new vessel having the CC sailing for two days of the week is. Why would you build a brand new ship to sit in SB rotting while other major terminals ie HB are forced to use the older C class vessels. RTE 1 received both Spirits when they were new so lets spread the wealth around this time. In light of the CC being used in such a manner I think it should be renamed to the ( Coastal Look But Dont Touch.) I think that this ship is without a doubt the biggest waste in the entire fleet. Why in hell would you build a new ship then use it for a couple of sailings a week ? I think it is time to move this vessel to a run where it will be put to some use. Even the CR a least gets used to replace the CI on RT 30 from time to time. I apologize I didn't want to come across as a whiner. I myself get sick and tired of hearing people complain about BC Ferries. Our ferry system is awsome and so are it's employees. I was simply wondering if the CC could be better utilized on other runs over the winter season ? It seems to me that the three new Super C's should be rotated thru routes 1,2 and 30. The reason behind this is simple, you currently have the CI being used quite heavily on RT 30, the CR receiving a medium amount of use on RT 2 , and the CC receiving hardly any use at all on RT 1. Would it not make sense to have a 6 month or 1 yr rotation between them so that the wear and tear would be fairly equally distributed on all three vessels ? Please dont tell me the CC can only be used on RT 1 because of it's buffet , that's a pretty weak excuse. It seems to me that the three new Super C's should be rotated between route's 1, 2, and 30. The reason behind this is simple, you currently have the CI being used quite heavily on RT 30 the CR receiving a medium amount of use between RT 2 and substituting on RT 30, with the CC receiving hardly any use at all on RT 1. Would it not make sense to have a 6 month or 1 year rotation to distribute the wear and tear more evenly between the three vessels ? Please don't tell me the CC can only be used on RT1 because of it's buffet , that's a pretty weak excuse. 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. 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. I am beginning to think that the Coastal Celeb is the official look but don't touch member of the fleet. It's absolutely ridiculous having a brand new ship tied up most of the time over the winter. Somebody at the head office needs to give their head a shake. The CC should be moved as the #1 vessel out of HB. We paid to build it and the time has come to put the damn thing to regular use. It's a ferry not a private yacht. |
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,307
|
Post by Neil on Dec 23, 2009 20:17:26 GMT -8
For your reading pleasure, here's a compilation of one member's past posts on 1 certain issue. You've got to admire his tenacity on this issue. It is interesting to see all these posts making the same argument. Including today's posts, you see a span of 16 months. I think you missed some, Mr Horn. I counted 17, out of a total of about 24 posts on the subject of ferries. We can all look to this as an inspiring lesson about the importance of staying on message.  |
|
|
|
Post by Scott on Dec 23, 2009 20:30:52 GMT -8
What would be the purpose of rotating the vessels? I can only think of reasons not to do it. It would cost money to move them, to keep them all stocked. If BC Ferries is in the business of making money, what they're doing now is "good business".
|
|
rt1commuter
Chief Steward
JP - Overworked grad student
Posts: 167
|
Post by rt1commuter on Dec 23, 2009 21:04:53 GMT -8
I just don't understand this idea of under-utilization. If you don't use the ferries now, you can use them more later. What's the problem?
|
|
.....
