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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 25, 2021 22:49:16 GMT -8
Northern Expedition is heading into her maintenance period until June.
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 14, 2021 21:27:46 GMT -8
We will again be able to travel to Haida Gwaii this summer, but BC Ferries has a bit of a problem ...
Apparently, the Northern Expedition has had an engine failure.
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Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,309
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Post by Neil on Jun 14, 2021 21:47:03 GMT -8
We will again be able to travel to Haida Gwaii this summer, but BC Ferries has a bit of a problem ...
Apparently, the Northern Expedition has had an engine failure.
Oh my. How did we miss that? The story says BC Ferries announced it several days ago, but I've seen nothing. I really feel for the communities and businesses that have lost so much during the pandemic, and precisely when prospects improve... this. |
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Post by pacificcat99 on Jun 15, 2021 13:39:59 GMT -8
What is the Northern Sea Wolf up to these days? I know it is a small ship but why don't they use it for emergency service instead of only using one ship for the entirety of the north coast?
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Post by Mike on Jun 15, 2021 14:05:53 GMT -8
What is the Northern Sea Wolf up to these days? I know it is a small ship but why don't they use it for emergency service instead of only using one ship for the entirety of the north coast? The NSW is on the Discovery Coast route. If they took it off that, there's no ship available to replace it. |
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Post by yvr on Jun 23, 2021 10:18:23 GMT -8
Do we have any people in the know who can fill in details as to the extent of damage the main engine received? Based on the fact repairs will not be completed until sometime in August, I have to think this was a catastrophic failure. This ship was recently in maintenance, in my profession I have seen less than stellar maintenance work coming back to haunt us soon after going back into service. Is their soap program up to date, and what about it's twin sitting next to it, it's the same vintage and has been subjected to the same wear and tear, could it have similar issues? Considering the Coastal class ferries run very similar engines, parts availability should not be an issue. Also with rapid air freight, large components from Germany should be on site in a couple of days. Did the engine throw a rod through the side? Well if needed the two month time line gives them ample time to ship a new engine from Germany.
The bottom line is this vessel will be out of service for the prime tourist season, affecting thousands of potential customers and businesses.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,080 
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Post by Nick on Jun 23, 2021 15:52:16 GMT -8
Do we have any people in the know who can fill in details as to the extent of damage the main engine received? Based on the fact repairs will not be completed until sometime in August, I have to think this was a catastrophic failure. This ship was recently in maintenance, in my profession I have seen less than stellar maintenance work coming back to haunt us soon after going back into service. Is their soap program up to date, and what about it's twin sitting next to it, it's the same vintage and has been subjected to the same wear and tear, could it have similar issues? Considering the Coastal class ferries run very similar engines, parts availability should not be an issue. Also with rapid air freight, large components from Germany should be on site in a couple of days. Did the engine throw a rod through the side? Well if needed the two month time line gives them ample time to ship a new engine from Germany. The bottom line is this vessel will be out of service for the prime tourist season, affecting thousands of potential customers and businesses. I have no idea about the NorEx in particular, but I just wanted to point out that marine engine manufacturers typically do not have large components "on the shelf". Each engine is manufactured to order, so parts that are not typical failure components can indeed be months even if the engine is still in production. Purchasing a turbocharger, or timing/idler gears, for example, could be weeks to months. Pistons, rods, bearings, valves etc are on the shelf because they are typical failures. That said, tearing down a large engine and putting it back together is typically a 3 to 4 week process even with all the parts on hand. |
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Post by yvr on Jul 16, 2021 20:37:56 GMT -8
It seems hard to believe that 6 weeks have passed since the major engine failure on the Northern Expedition. Even though this is a ferry fan / enthusiast web site, not one person has come forward with information into the extent of the damage. So if you have information or heard a rumour regarding this expensive event please post it.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,309
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Post by Neil on Jul 16, 2021 21:43:55 GMT -8
It seems hard to believe that 6 weeks have passed since the major engine failure on the Northern Expedition. Even though this is a ferry fan / enthusiast web site, not one person has come forward with information into the extent of the damage. So if you have information or heard a rumour regarding this expensive event please post it. You have to keep in mind that this Forum is a mere shadow of its former self. As far as I know, we don't have any active members who are BC Ferries employees, or who would be privy to any inside information. |
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 16, 2021 22:00:16 GMT -8
It seems hard to believe that 6 weeks have passed since the major engine failure on the Northern Expedition. Even though this is a ferry fan / enthusiast web site, not one person has come forward with information into the extent of the damage. So if you have information or heard a rumour regarding this expensive event please post it. You have to keep in mind that this Forum is a mere shadow of its former self. As far as I know, we don't have any active members who are BC Ferries employees, or who would be privy to any inside information. Hardly a word out of the media, too. I think it is not too common for an engine in a 12 year old ship to suddenly fail. I love to know more and I could speculate, but I won't.
Tough times for tourism operators up & down the coast. Covid-19, forest fires & ferries that are sometimes not as reliable as we might like.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 16, 2021 23:43:53 GMT -8
Northern Expedition has not had much of break over past two years because she was only at Deas Island for month compared a least three months in usually year.
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 17, 2021 9:11:58 GMT -8
Northern Expedition has not had much of break over past two years because she was only at Deas Island for month compared a least three months in usually year. Not exactly true. Although the NorEx did not get its usual spring refit in 2020, it had a late summer/fall refit instead that started in late August. The length of that break was at least a month and probably more like two months. This year she had her usual spring refit running late March to early June. It was only in service for a short time (maybe a week?) before the engine failure occurred.
I know of another incident with another BC Ferry that got into trouble shortly after returning from a refit. In that case it was all to do with a cotter pin. I am not implying that there is a connection between the NorEx's most recent refit & its engine failure.
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Post by Ferryman on Jul 29, 2021 21:40:28 GMT -8
The Northern Expedition has just left Deas with Port Hardy as her destination.
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Post by Mike on Jul 30, 2021 10:58:56 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 2, 2022 13:22:22 GMT -8
Night shot of the Northern Expedition tied up at its Fairview, Prince Rupert berth, being readied to sail south to Port Hardy at 8PM.
1 February 2022
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 14, 2022 20:15:12 GMT -8
Northern Expedition in the late afternoon sun @ Bear Cove, Port Hardy, while loading for a trip north. The ship departed with an almost full car deck, 121 vehicles I was told.
Too bad that the food service has deteriorated so much. I hope that the crew has better choices than the passengers ...
12 February 2022
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on May 28, 2022 13:55:58 GMT -8
I wonder what is go on with the Northern Expedition today it seems like she left Deas Island for Port Hardy but is now heading back to Deas Island.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Nov 26, 2022 14:51:41 GMT -8
Northern Expedition can be retirement in 2049. What? |
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Post by Mike on Nov 26, 2022 15:12:10 GMT -8
Northern Expedition can be retirement in 2049. Source? A lot can and will happen between now and 2049. |
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Post by Mike on Nov 26, 2022 16:33:02 GMT -8
Going forward, please include relevant supporting information in your posts, otherwise they will be removed. |
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 8, 2023 22:33:59 GMT -8
Open Wide!
Northern Expedition in by the bow @ Bear Cove, Port Hardy.
21 January 2023
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 21, 2023 14:03:43 GMT -8
Northern Expedition is at Seaspan yards in North Vancouver.
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Post by Ollie on Mar 22, 2023 17:07:38 GMT -8
Northern Expedition in North Vancouver, today
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Post by paulvanb on Apr 3, 2023 14:33:38 GMT -8
When you have time to kill at Stanley Park with a 600mm lens! This is from Brockton Point and uncropped.  |
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Post by Mike on Apr 8, 2023 13:57:43 GMT -8
Northern Expedition high and dry in the drydock. April 7, 2023
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