Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
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Post by Neil on Sept 30, 2016 21:46:58 GMT -8
The Greek menace heads up the Fraser, towards Deas, under the cover of darkness. Might I interject the minority opinion that, while purchased during a time of organizational duress, when minimal attention could be paid to aesthetics or ideal operating characteristics, the red haired child of the fleet has actually performed fairly capably and dependably?
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Post by Starsteward on Oct 1, 2016 8:55:35 GMT -8
The Greek menace heads up the Fraser, towards Deas, under the cover of darkness. Might I interject the minority opinion that, while purchased during a time of organizational duress, when minimal attention could be paid to aesthetics or ideal operating characteristics, the red haired child of the fleet has actually performed fairly capably and dependably? Mechanically the Greek castoff has been quite dependable however, during one of the last scheduled runs on the 'Queen of Prince Rupert', many crew members including Captain Charasz related how the hull design of the 'NorAd' does not handle the open water of the Prince Rupert - Skidegate run very well. Because the open water has a very shallow bottom, this has caused rolling and pitching problems for all the vessels on this run. Most crew members relate that the 'NorAd' is most affected and is not a favourite of crew and passengers, hence she has been tagged with the 'vomit comet' nickname.
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Post by mybidness459 on Oct 2, 2016 12:11:01 GMT -8
Okay that explains it, Thanx
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Post by mybidness459 on Sept 15, 2017 11:59:33 GMT -8
I was down at Rathrevor Beach this morning around 10:45 am looking for the Nor-Ad could not see it as it probably was in Sabine Channel at the time. However I did hear it on the scanner at 11:21 am at Ballenas Island bound for the Sandheads.
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 3, 2017 10:14:39 GMT -8
Note, the following has been copied over from the NSW thread ... To Clarify the other Boat (Ship) we purchased from Greece was the Northern Adventure (Ex "Sonia") BC Ferries does not have a Ship Called Northern Adventurer. As to its time in refit, it spends as much or more time on the Northern runs than the newer Northern Expedition with the same maintenance periods. This is not true. The NorEx spends far more time 'in service' than does the NorAd. In recent years the NorEx has been in service in June through March of the following year, for a total of 9.5 to 10 months. By contrast the NorAd is typically in service in April through mid September for a total of 5.5 to 6 months. There are a variety of reasons for this but the big ones are the inferior 'sea keeping' characteristics of the NorAd (causing more missed sailings) as compared to the NorEx, but also that the NorEx, in spite of being larger, is actually less expensive to operate.
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Post by Curtis on May 30, 2018 14:04:08 GMT -8
Here are some shots of the Northern Adventure following the Discovery Coast trip a few weeks back.
All Photos are © CS16 Photography and may only be used with Permission from the Owner.On approach to McLoughlin Bay.
You can see the Nimpkish off to the side of the Berth in these next two pictures.
The "Drawbridge to Satan's Castle" has been lowered!
I'll take this moment to say there will be no new walkthrough of the NorAd. Most of the voyage was spent sleeping... actually trying to sleep, our cabin might as well have been next to the engine room cause once the engines fired up, it was loud. We barely had enough time to gather our stuff and eat breakfast that morning before arriving at Port Hardy.
That out of the way, we made a quick stop to get some shots at Bear Cove.
That's all for now.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
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Post by Neil on May 30, 2018 17:51:05 GMT -8
Curtis, just for future reference... where was your cabin located, and have you done any other overnights on the NorAd where the noise level was different? How does it compare to the NorEx, if you've done that?
I remember one trip to Naikoon Park many years ago, when the overnight experience on the Queen of Prince Rupert was so much nicer than on Queen of The North, in terms of cabin temperature and noise. Being a poor sleeper, that sort of thing really counts for me.
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Post by Curtis on May 30, 2018 22:32:57 GMT -8
Curtis, just for future reference... where was your cabin located, and have you done any other overnights on the NorAd where the noise level was different? How does it compare to the NorEx, if you've done that? I remember one trip to Naikoon Park many years ago, when the overnight experience on the Queen of Prince Rupert was so much nicer than on Queen of The North, in terms of cabin temperature and noise. Being a poor sleeper, that sort of thing really counts for me. Our cabin was an outboard cabin near the mid-ship stairwell. I've previously slept in a cabin on the NorAd, but I don't recall the engine noise being an issue then. My only guess as to why this time was worse was the position of our cabin, about 5 cabins from where the exhaust pipes come up. As for the NorEx, from what I remember, the cabin experience was much better than the NorAd. But then again, that's not too surprising considering the NorEx outclasses the NorAd in every category.
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 20, 2018 21:34:37 GMT -8
Revenge for the Northern Adventure versus the Northern Expedition - Prince Rupert harbour* 19 August 2018 *The photo looks as if the NorAd is about to ram the NorEx, but of course this was not the case. The NorEx is seen here just underway for Port Hardy, via the Inside Passage. The NorAd is heading into the just vacated Prince Rupert berth where it will soon start loading for Haida Gwaii. These Prince Rupert harbour 'meets' between these two vessels are a frequent occurrence during the summer season. © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 21, 2018 6:52:29 GMT -8
Here's what the revenge pose looks like from on the Northern Expedition - from August 2015 Morning of August 7, 2015, as empty NorAd is waiting to tie up at the berth and load for her 10:00am departure 20150807_072607 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 22, 2018 21:31:06 GMT -8
BC Ferries' Northern Adventure floating around Prince Rupert harbour, waiting for its Fairview berth to become available. 19 August 2018
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 22, 2018 14:21:24 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
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Post by Neil on Nov 4, 2018 20:58:46 GMT -8
There have been some comments recently in a different thread about the 'ugly Greek thing' and the need to get rid of it. I'm assuming that these were directed at the Northern Adventure, and not the Northern Sea Wolf, which I think is actually a nice looking little vessel.
Despite the criticism about aesthetics, hasn't the NorAd actually proven to be a fairly reliable vessel? It was purchased under duress- in a pinch, so to speak- and while it might not be ideal, does it really deserve the opprobrium it often gets here? I'm not asking this rhetorically, because I've never been on it... I have no personal knowledge. I'm just not aware of general criticism of the ship, aside from this forum.
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 5, 2018 8:59:59 GMT -8
There have been some comments recently in a different thread about the 'ugly Greek thing' and the need to get rid of it. I'm assuming that these were directed at the Northern Adventure, and not the Northern Sea Wolf, which I think is actually a nice looking little vessel. Despite the criticism about aesthetics, hasn't the NorAd actually proven to be a fairly reliable vessel? It was purchased under duress- in a pinch, so to speak- and while it might not be ideal, does it really deserve the opprobrium it often gets here? I'm not asking this rhetorically, because I've never been on it... I have no personal knowledge. I'm just not aware of general criticism of the ship, aside from this forum. Neil, my 'ugly Greek thing' comment was of course made in jest (well not entirely). Indeed the whole post about raising & resurrecting the Queen of the North was in jest, and I am fairly sure that you know that? I agree that the baby Greek boat is not bad looking unless you consider the situation of passengers using it who will find it bad trying to take in all that gorgeous scenery looking through those missing windows. As for the NorAd proving to be fairly reliable ... It certainly less unreliable than it was in its first year, but I don't think I would give it a gold star just yet. It seems to have a significant breakdown during each 6 month operational season. The last one was back in July. The following is copied over from the 'Service Notices' thread.
Apparently, the NorAd is having "issues" again Its 'high summer' & the fleet is down two vessels; two of the newer vessels ...
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Post by Mike on Apr 4, 2019 20:52:51 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 4, 2019 21:38:44 GMT -8
The only coal burner in the fleet. Well, maybe the Skeena Queen, also.
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Post by Ferryman on Jul 13, 2019 11:32:10 GMT -8
The Northern Adventure looking proud on a sunny day in Prince Rupert
And just for fun, a look at the Prince Rupert city-scape, as seen from aboard the Northern Adventure while at Anchorage #4 for the night in Prince Rupert Harbour. This allowed for the Northern Expedition to arrive, concluding her northbound run on Route 10 for the day
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 25, 2019 20:25:06 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 26, 2019 12:16:58 GMT -8
BC Ferries ‘Northern Adventure’ with pilot boat ‘Pacific Pathfinder’ in Prince Rupert - 25 July 2019 [WCK-JST] flic.kr/p/2gGYpYhI will do this post up properly when I get home and have my computer rather than this cursed phone. They should re-name the 'Northern Adventure' " Northern Smokwa". I trust BCFS doesn't use the 'N.A.' is many promotion materials. Also, just wondering...and no, I haven't just returned home from the local tavern, would the cost be prohibitive to re-engineer the bow of the 'Northern Adventure' into a bow-visor system? Front loading and unloading would be much more time efficient wouldn't it?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 26, 2019 13:31:45 GMT -8
They should re-name the 'Northern Adventure' " Northern Smokwa". I trust BCFS doesn't use the 'N.A.' is many promotion materials. Most times that we use the Smokwa reference here on this forum, it's because of the need for a tow. But because that's not the case with this Northern Adventure photo, I'm wondering what sparked your Smokwa comment.
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 26, 2019 16:31:23 GMT -8
They should re-name the 'Northern Adventure' " Northern Smokwa". I trust BCFS doesn't use the 'N.A.' is many promotion materials. Most times that we use the Smokwa reference here on this forum, it's because of the need for a tow. But because that's not the case with this Northern Adventure photo, I'm wondering what sparked your Smokwa comment. "Caught by the Moderator".. In the deep dark recesses of my memory, I'm sure I'd seen an old black and white photo of the 'Smokwa' belching clouds of black smoke. Is there any other current BCFS vessels as well as the 'Northern Adventure' that could be assessed a 'polluting penalty'?
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Post by pacificcat99 on Jul 26, 2019 22:00:06 GMT -8
Most times that we use the Smokwa reference here on this forum, it's because of the need for a tow. But because that's not the case with this Northern Adventure photo, I'm wondering what sparked your Smokwa comment. "Caught by the Moderator".. In the deep dark recesses of my memory, I'm sure I'd seen an old black and white photo of the 'Smokwa' belching clouds of black smoke. Is there any other current BCFS vessels as well as the 'Northern Adventure' that could be assessed a 'polluting penalty'? The Selena’s Queen on departure comes to mind (Think it may have also been mentioned on the forum before) Also when the boats start up in the morning the smoke is always black and thick for a bit until the engines warm up (thinking of the Spirits and New West that I see warming up at 6:00am on a lovely Saturday morning
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 26, 2019 22:01:00 GMT -8
They should re-name the 'Northern Adventure' " Northern Smokwa". She ain't smokin' in this photo as she is tied up to the dock loading. Prince Rupert is a 'non-smoking area'.
I have fixed my post above so that you don't have to go to Flickr to see my NorAd shot. It was taken from the Prince Rupert Advanture Tours boat Inside Passage. My wife & I were on a bear/ whale watching tour ... Highly recommended, btw.
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Post by markkarj on Jul 28, 2019 10:14:44 GMT -8
BC Ferries ‘Northern Adventure’ with pilot boat ‘Pacific Pathfinder’ in Prince Rupert - 25 July 2019 [WCK-JST] flic.kr/p/2gGYpYhI will do this post up properly when I get home and have my computer rather than this cursed phone. They should re-name the 'Northern Adventure' " Northern Smokwa". I trust BCFS doesn't use the 'N.A.' is many promotion materials. Also, just wondering...and no, I haven't just returned home from the local tavern, would the cost be prohibitive to re-engineer the bow of the 'Northern Adventure' into a bow-visor system? Front loading and unloading would be much more time efficient wouldn't it? I wonder if the cost is worth the benefit. Retrofitting a bow visor onto the ship would be a significant undertaking. I'm sure the requirements for a visor are very stringent given the failure of the bow visor led to the loss of the MS Estonia back in 1994. How long would it take for the benefits of faster loading to make up for the millions likely required for the retrofit? One question I have is with respect to the hull form and the NA being known as the Vomit Comet. Is there anything that might be done with stabilizers to make the ship less prone to inducing vomiting?
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 28, 2019 10:33:35 GMT -8
I wonder if the cost is worth the benefit. Retrofitting a bow visor onto the ship would be a significant undertaking. I'm sure the requirements for a visor are very stringent given the failure of the bow visor led to the loss of the MS Estonia back in 1994. How long would it take for the benefits of faster loading to make up for the millions likely required for the retrofit? One question I have is with respect to the hull form and the NA being known as the Vomit Comet. Is there anything that might be done with stabilizers to make the ship less prone to inducing vomiting? Visors are 'old tech'. Most if not all open ocean capable vehicle ferries now are fitted with 'clam shell' doors at the bow rather than a visor. I still am puzzled as to why BCFS went with a visor on the Northern Expedition as the clam shell doors have been pretty much standard in Europe since about 1990.
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