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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 19, 2006 2:08:28 GMT -8
Wow, fine job there John. I've got no expertise in this matter, so reading this was a lesson for me. It was classic Hammersmarkian styled history, with your trademark diligent research and careful acknowledgement of sources and credits. Some might want to put more of a political spin on some of your writing, but I think it was fine. However, you didn't mention anything about Mr. Ainos Latsaoc....wasn't he the ship's architect?
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Post by Curtis on Nov 19, 2006 7:56:40 GMT -8
That's definatly a good job. Hopefully we'll see your site up soon
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Nov 19, 2006 22:45:52 GMT -8
Wow...I didn't realise she was leaving so soon. Proves that I know a lot. I've been getting behind.
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Post by Scott on Nov 19, 2006 23:51:20 GMT -8
I received an e-mail from Apostolos this afternoon telling me that the Sonia has now left, either Saturday or Sunday morning, Greek time. I don't know exactly when she left, but this will probably be her first passage: www.llanito.net/webcam.htm
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Nov 20, 2006 9:12:21 GMT -8
I received an e-mail from Apostolos this afternoon telling me that the Sonia has now left, either Saturday or Sunday morning, Greek time. I don't know exactly when she left, but this will probably be her first passage: www.llanito.net/webcam.htmGreetings, again, "Great Big Nimpkish"! Thanks for the update on the MV SONIA. I sure wish I was at the various Mediterranean communities to see the folks there glance at this ship and her new BCF markings. You never see a BC ferry in that part of the world! Hope things are going well for the ship and her crew. -ferrynutseattle CONGRATULATIONS BC LIONS, CFL GREY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!! PS: Where does the name Nimpkish come from? Such a neat name! We have neat names here like Stillaguamish, Sequim, Puyallup, Twisp, Walla Walla, et al. Scotland has Glenfinnan.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 20, 2006 11:36:26 GMT -8
Could they refuel at Ascension Island......or is that too far south?
(I'm showing off my knowledge of the 1982 Falklands War task force).
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Post by coastalskier on Nov 20, 2006 13:48:36 GMT -8
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Nov 20, 2006 13:56:48 GMT -8
Our friend in Greece says she's still tied up in Piraeus as of today. Well looks like you cannot trust what a press release says to a person on that side of the world. BTW, feel free to introduce yourself here and I would ask you out of enthusiasm to get your own origianl display name instead of someone elses. Not to be mean, some of us here like "orginiality".
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Kam
Voyager
Posts: 926
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Post by Kam on Nov 20, 2006 14:21:24 GMT -8
I couldn’t help but notice that BCF retouched the photos in the press release to remove her name and port of registry.
I wonder why they would bother?
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Post by Curtis on Nov 20, 2006 16:59:39 GMT -8
Maybe they actually painted over it.
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Nov 20, 2006 17:23:33 GMT -8
Our friend in Greece says she's still tied up in Piraeus as of today. Well looks like you cannot trust what a press release says to a person on that side of the world. BTW, feel free to introduce yourself here and I would ask you out of enthusiasm to get your own origianl display name instead of someone elses. Not to be mean, some of us here like "orginiality". ...? Not too sure what this is all about....
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Post by EGfleet on Nov 20, 2006 17:29:20 GMT -8
Call me crazy, but that goofy back end of hers doesn't look so bad in the BC Ferries livery.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 20, 2006 18:02:59 GMT -8
Call me crazy, but that goofy back end of hers doesn't look so bad in the BC Ferries livery. ....that's because you're wearing your beer-goggles.
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Post by Scott on Nov 20, 2006 18:25:19 GMT -8
John, Can you ask your Greek contact - as to how much fuel she took on board - because I can then work out where she will re-fuel for the crossing and can give you web cam site details. Gib might be the place - but it is not cheap there right now. Also ask what type / grade of fuel she is using. Is she using 80 centastoke - for main engines and gas oil for her gen's. Apostolos just works around the port and saw that the berth she was in was empty Sunday morning. I don't think he has any more details on the vessel.
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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 Nov 20, 2006 19:16:37 GMT -8
How long has the Sonia been out of service?? Was she out of service when they bought her??? Must be kind of sad to see her leave there for the last time on her way to a whole different area of the world. Might be sad if you worked on her for the two years.
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Post by Scott on Nov 20, 2006 19:35:42 GMT -8
I don't think the same crew worked on her for 2 years. The most the same crew worked on her would have been for just over a year in Trinidad and Tobago. The ferry was in service in Spain when BC Ferries bought her and I think continued for a few more weeks after the purchase agreement was signed.
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 20, 2006 20:02:21 GMT -8
In the BCFS's press release they did not show us a bow view. Could that have been deliberate?
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Post by markkarj on Nov 21, 2006 6:32:13 GMT -8
For anyone who is interested... with the kind co-operation of our friend Apostolos in Greece in providing a couple photos, I have compiled as much information I can find about the Sonia into a webpage. Be my guest and be my proof-readers:) It's at: www.westcoastferries.ca/sonia.htmlHi John: That was a super history of the boat... thank you for your work on it. Quick question: how does the Sonia compare in terms of dimensions to the Queen of the North? She seems shorter, but with a wider beam... is that accurate? Is the tonnage about the same? Just wondering if a broader-beamed ship will be more stable, especially if she'll be doing the cruise to the Queen Charlottes. Thanks. M
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Post by Curtis on Nov 21, 2006 7:57:53 GMT -8
Compared to the Queen of the North. I think it looks slightly bigger.
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Post by Dane on Nov 21, 2006 12:48:03 GMT -8
I couldn’t help but notice that BCF retouched the photos in the press release to remove her name and port of registry. I wonder why they would bother? Advertising the old name of a ship is a silly thing to do, and given the importance BC Ferries is putting into branding their fleet it makes sense that they'd do this. The port of registry was probably removed because when the ship arrives it will change - this isn't uncommon at all. While I don't know the specifics it is possible BCFS doesn't even technically own the ship yet.
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Post by Curtis on Nov 22, 2006 7:49:19 GMT -8
They have possession of the ship, so they in a way own it.
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Post by Ferryman on Nov 22, 2006 8:53:08 GMT -8
I think BCF just covered up the name and Port of Registration on those pictures, because it doesn't have a "BC Ferries" name yet. I'm pretty sure they have to have a name and a Port of Registration written on its side, for when it communicates with different Coast Guards and whatnot. So, until it gets over here, and recieves its new name, the current name and P of R will be updated.
The Sunshine Coast Queen was partly painted in the BCF scheme, and one of the funnels had the Dogwood on it, while it sailed down the East Coast to the Panama, and back up again. It was also already named as the Sunshine Coast Queen, before she came to the West Coast. I think it was just before she reached the Panama Canal, and the Coast Guard asked what a "Sunshine Cold Cream" was. They then sent out some Navy ships to see what it was all about. Until they realized it was just a big Ferry immigrating to the West Coast of Canada.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Nov 22, 2006 10:45:45 GMT -8
I think BCF just covered up the name and Port of Registration on those pictures, because it doesn't have a "BC Ferries" name yet. I'm pretty sure they have to have a name and a Port of Registration written on its side, for when it communicates with different Coast Guards and whatnot. So, until it gets over here, and recieves its new name, the current name and P of R will be updated. The Sunshine Coast Queen was partly painted in the BCF scheme, and one of the funnels had the Dogwood on it, while it sailed down the East Coast to the Panama, and back up again. It was also already named as the Sunshine Coast Queen, before she came to the West Coast. I think it was just before she reached the Panama Canal, and the Coast Guard asked what a "Sunshine Cold Cream" was. They then sent out some Navy ships to see what it was all about. Until they realized it was just a big Ferry immigrating to the West Coast of Canada. I find this quite interesting, to say the least. The photos in the BCF PDF look quite professionally touched up (if it is not, or if it is, true that BCF has covered her name up by paint). We'll see if she does have her SONIA name still on her hull whenever we have her in range of any coastal webcam. For us USA folks, Happy Thanksgiving and stuff yourselves with good food! For our friends in BC, continue on with your celebrations of the Lions wonderful Grey Cup Championship! I watched the GC game here in Seattle, great game, great team, great coach. Your beautiful provincial citizens should be proud of the fine people, inside the Lions' uniforms, of their superb accomplishment! -ferrynutseattle
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Doug
Voyager
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Nov 22, 2006 16:22:16 GMT -8
The photos in the BCF PDF look quite professionally touched up (if it is not, or if it is, true that BCF has covered her name up by paint). Not necessarily. With a picture of that size, they could have just used the simple "smudge" tool in Photoshop and cover up the name to the naked eye.
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Post by hergfest on Nov 22, 2006 21:49:48 GMT -8
You have to have a name and registration on a vessel to sail. I am sure BC Ferries covered it up because they haven't given her a new name yet.
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