grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Dec 11, 2015 16:20:11 GMT -8
The Pilot estimates debarking the ship at 19:00 off the Victoria waterfront.
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grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Dec 11, 2015 19:12:23 GMT -8
She is off Clover Point, and before the Pilot debarks, they are lowering the rescue boat and taking a few people ashore. Not sure who they are! Once this operation is completed, the Pilot will get off and come ashore. Communications with the ship state that they expect to sail at just under 10 knots across the Pacific.
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Post by Scott on Dec 11, 2015 19:23:21 GMT -8
If the weather forecast is right, it sounds like they'll have a rough day on the water tomorrow. - John H
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grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Dec 11, 2015 19:41:26 GMT -8
Those that came ashore were listed as "owner representatives", and came ashore via shore based zodiac. I can still see her lights from the office, but off she goes!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Dec 11, 2015 22:33:09 GMT -8
Really have mixed feelings about this one.
On one hand, I've always disliked the 'Chilliwack rather intensely, for aesthetic and practical reasons- the boat was ill-suited to every run it was ever on, and should never have been bought in the first place. And this is another example of the developed world sending old, tired vessels to nations that unfortunately can't afford the standards, both in shipping and basic safety, that we enjoy here. Does anyone really feel comfortable about an old, double ended car ferry operating in the open Pacific?
On the other hand, it will no doubt open better transportation options for developing islands in the Fijian chain, and George Goundar has experience with BC ferries vessels, and knows their capabilities. I just hope he has the resources to properly maintain both the former 'Prince Rupert, and now, the 'Chilliwack.
Not an ideal situation, but one can only wish calm seas and safe voyages to these vessels and all who sail on them.
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grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Dec 12, 2015 2:58:51 GMT -8
I would bet she is taking a pounding! I am working in the ops centre overnight, and 3 inbound vessels are delayed by "heavy weather" west of Flattery. If 250 meter vessels are having a tough slog, I would imagine she too is taking a beating. At 03:00 down to 7 knots.
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Post by Starsteward on Dec 12, 2015 7:32:51 GMT -8
Really have mixed feelings about this one.
On one hand, I've always disliked the 'Chilliwack rather intensely, for aesthetic and practical reasons- the boat was ill-suited to every run it was ever on, and should never have been bought in the first place. And this is another example of the developed world sending old, tired vessels to nations that unfortunately can't afford the standards, both in shipping and basic safety, that we enjoy here. Does anyone really feel comfortable about an old, double ended car ferry operating in the open Pacific?
On the other hand, it will no doubt open better transportation options for developing islands in the Fijian chain, and George Goundar has experience with BC ferries vessels, and knows their capabilities. I just hope he has the resources to properly maintain both the former 'Prince Rupert, and now, the 'Chilliwack.
Not an ideal situation, but one can only wish calm seas and safe voyages to these vessels and all who sail on them. For many reasons, I wasn't a fan of the 'Wack' either. In purchasing the 'Rupert' and the 'Wack' by Mr. Goundar, he bought two vessels that held valid 'TC' certifications and yes, while they may have been at the end of their useful lifetime under our stringent maritime regulations they are a definite improvement to the types of vessels I have personally seen operating in foreign waters which are bereft of most up to date operating standards. Mr. Goundar has also been a positive force, working with government officials in undertaking initiatives to improve vessel and safety standards in Fiji. With the 'Wack's' westward journey now underway, my crewing experience on a Norwegian freighter, sailing that route at exactly this time of year, (albeit many years ago), I truly wish all the souls aboard, a safe and uneventful passage to their final destination. The Pacific ocean at this time of year can be a very nasty piece of business.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 12, 2015 12:04:20 GMT -8
...and she's now out-of-range from both MarineTraffic.com and SiiTech.com.
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Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Mirrlees on Dec 12, 2015 12:13:41 GMT -8
She's been going in and out of range it seems every 2 hours. The seas must be deteriorating quickly as a cargo ship she was near by is hardly making headway.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 12, 2015 12:20:48 GMT -8
She's been going in and out of range it seems every 2 hours. The seas must be deteriorating quickly as a cargo ship she was near by is hardly making headway. I wonder if this is going to turn out bad. Like Suzy-Q bad.
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Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Mirrlees on Dec 12, 2015 12:24:44 GMT -8
Let's not go there, Flugel Good vibes, good vibes!
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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 Dec 12, 2015 12:44:52 GMT -8
according to Siitech she is only doing like 2 knots!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Dec 12, 2015 12:53:35 GMT -8
From this site, it looks like she's encountering pretty stiff winds- perhaps thirty knots- and high seas.
www.windyty.com/?47.737,-124.871,8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Dec 12, 2015 13:39:47 GMT -8
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Post by Curtis on Dec 12, 2015 14:30:16 GMT -8
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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 Dec 12, 2015 15:35:47 GMT -8
She is only doing 1.8 knots now which is hardly moving maybe they are waiting out the storm considering north of her there is a Hurricaine force wind warning with seas up to 10 metres!
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grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Dec 12, 2015 19:39:10 GMT -8
I am a bit surprised that they sailed based on the marine weather forcast. At present there are 5 vessels which delayed sailing from local ports because of heavy weather, and another that took weather refuge by anchoring at Constance Bank. All of these vessels are true deep sea bulk carriers and they thought better than sailing out Juan de Fuca last night and today. Many inbound ships are significantly delayed as well.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Dec 12, 2015 20:37:17 GMT -8
I am a bit surprised that they sailed based on the marine weather forcast. At present there are 5 vessels which delayed sailing from local ports because of heavy weather, and another that took weather refuge by anchoring at Constance Bank. All of these vessels are true deep sea bulk carriers and they thought better than sailing out Juan de Fuca last night and today. Many inbound ships are significantly delayed as well. I'm surprised too. This storm was indeed forecast. The weather site I linked to earlier shows 35-40 knot winds with very high seas. Let's hope no one is in danger.
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Post by westernflyer on Dec 12, 2015 23:20:05 GMT -8
I am a bit surprised that they sailed based on the marine weather forcast. At present there are 5 vessels which delayed sailing from local ports because of heavy weather, and another that took weather refuge by anchoring at Constance Bank. All of these vessels are true deep sea bulk carriers and they thought better than sailing out Juan de Fuca last night and today. Many inbound ships are significantly delayed as well. I'm surprised too. This storm was indeed forecast. The weather site I linked to earlier shows 35-40 knot winds with very high seas. Let's hope no one is in danger. I'm guessing they were thinking they could get far enough south to avoid the worst of it. The low pressure center has tracked somewhat further south than predicted, however.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Dec 13, 2015 0:44:39 GMT -8
With the MV LOMAIVITI PRINCESS III out to sea now, I am condensing my voyage posts into this summary:First movement out of Deas VMC occurred at 1212PST on Friday, December 11, 2015. She was assisted by four Smit tugs. She was underway down the Fraser River shortly after with the tugs escorting her for a short distance. 1244PST - Tugs leave the LP3 on her own. Extra curricular activities for the tugs included pulling the QUEEN OF NEW WESTMINSTER out of Deas. 1300PST - Steveston. 1330PST - Cleared the Fraser River. 1450PST - Tsawwassen - Active Pass ferry lanes. 1600PST - East Point. 1700PST - Turn Point. 1830PST - Discovery Island. 1920PST - Pilot discharged off Victoria. 2015PST - Race Rocks. 2200PST - Disappeared from camera view from Race Rocks (estimated 15 to 20 miles away in distance). SAT DEC 12 2015 0200PST - Cleared the Juan De Fuca Strait. 0330PST - At Bouy "J", setting her first course to Suva, Fiji. NOW, FIVE IMAGES:Off East Point www.metcam.navcanada.ca/hb/player.jsp?lang=e&id=128A zoomed image of her passing East Point with Patos, Orcas, and Lummi islands among others in the distance. From Race Rocks. www.racerocks.ca/home/With the brightly lit city of Port Angeles in the background. Fading image of the ship from Race Rocks. Her stern light would no longer be seen after 2200PST. This may be the last time seeing this ferry on a webcam until we find one in Fiji. Is the ship rolling? I watched her bow go up and down when she passed Race Rocks on the streaming camera. This same effect was evident when I saw her disappear from the camera view at 2200PST. The stern light was bright, then dim, bright again, and dim again ... Bon Voyage to the MV LOMAIVITI PRINCESS III! We thank you for your service on our coast as MV QUEEN OF CHILLIWACK.
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Post by Starsteward on Dec 13, 2015 14:17:42 GMT -8
I'm surprised too. This storm was indeed forecast. The weather site I linked to earlier shows 35-40 knot winds with very high seas. Let's hope no one is in danger. I'm guessing they were thinking they could get far enough south to avoid the worst of it. The low pressure center has tracked somewhat further south than predicted, however. Yesterday when the 'Lomaiviti Princess 3' got to the westerly entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, she made a very southerly beeline which leads me to believe that she was definitely taking a very southerly course in order to avoid the worst of the low pressure window. Once clear of that system, she would have to resume a much more north-westerly course of travel for her destination. One's worst fear when sailing in storm force weather is that a vessel could lose power, which if this were to occur, would render a vessel very susceptible not being able to keep the ship's bow into the waves, and getting turned sideways in heavy seas which can lead to roll-overs. The 'L.P. 3' does not have a high cargo-ship type bow and certainly doesn't have the benefit of stabilizers. The pitch and roll she must be experiencing will mandate the highest level of seamanship from the officers on the bridge as well as a large measure of plain old good luck. Hopefully the 'L.P.3' set sail with as full a load of fuel as possible as well as some sort of deck cargo, carefully positioned over the car deck and very, very securely lashed down. The increased weight will, to a point, be beneficial in keeping her propellers deeper in the water, thus not allowing them to spin in thin water or none. This type of action can cause stress on the props and prop shaft and result in fractures of props, the shaft, or the breakage of prop shaft seals. If a ship is experiencing excessive pitching, (bobbing), to a point where the props are in little or no water, a very earie sound rumbling up through the engine room can be heard throughout the ship. That sound is very unnerving to the senses of the most seasoned seamen! Winter storms in the Northern Pacific can be brutal, let's hope the power of St. Christopher shines upon the officers and crew of the 'L.P.3' during this challenging journey.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Dec 13, 2015 23:07:54 GMT -8
Thankfully, it looks as if the LPIII is past the worst of the weather... to the south east, where she's headed, things look fairly benign at the moment.
www.windyty.com/CYQQ?49.711,-123.871,9
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grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Dec 14, 2015 7:11:33 GMT -8
I have just got into work this Monday morning, and see in the notices that 2 different container ships lost cargo in that storm. Both heading to Seattle; one from Honolulu and the other from San Francisco. That seems to be proof that no matter which way she headed, very heavy seas would have been encountered. Hope all is well.
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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 Dec 14, 2015 8:13:38 GMT -8
The Ruby Princess is suppose to come out of Drydock today then depart Canada Place tomorrow on a 3 nighter to LA! That would be a fun trip to take!
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Post by Starsteward on Dec 15, 2015 14:35:16 GMT -8
I have just got into work this Monday morning, and see in the notices that 2 different container ships lost cargo in that storm. Both heading to Seattle; one from Honolulu and the other from San Francisco. That seems to be proof that no matter which way she headed, very heavy seas would have been encountered. Hope all is well. 'grk's posting of news that 2 container ships enroute to Seattle, lost cargo in very heavy seas is very noteworthy. Container ships often have containers stowed to great heights on deck, either forward or aft of the main superstructure and are usually very well secured. It would be interesting to know the location/positioning of the containers that were lost as a result of the storm. Undertaking the trip to Fiji with the 'L.P.3' at this time of year is, to me, taking more than just a calculated risk.
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