D'Elete BC in NJ
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Mar 10, 2009 7:39:49 GMT -8
I can't get lost. I have a GPS.  Well that's a start. I have two (each is embedded into the two amatuer radios I have, plus APRS an amatuer radio based postioning system similar to AIS.) I tried to have one embedded in my left frontal lobe, but they told me the migraines would be worse than the pain in the a$$ of getting lost... ;D |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Mar 10, 2009 7:43:49 GMT -8
Well that's a start. I have two (each is embedded into the two amatuer radios I have, plus APRS an amatuer radio based postioning system similar to AIS.) I tried to have one embedded in my left frontal lobe, but they told me the migraines would be worse than the pain in the a$$ of getting lost... ;D Don't mess with the lobes. Stick with listening to those little voices in your head  . Ok no more espresso for me this morning. |
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D'Elete BC in NJ
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Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Mar 10, 2009 7:49:31 GMT -8
I tried to have one embedded in my left frontal lobe, but they told me the migraines would be worse than the pain in the a$$ of getting lost... ;D Don't mess with the lobes. Stick with listening to those little voices in your head . Ok no more espresso for me this morning. lol...well at least you are on the little bit silly setting...today, I'm a little bit Jekyll and Hyde-ish... |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Mar 10, 2009 8:03:07 GMT -8
Don't mess with the lobes. Stick with listening to those little voices in your head . Ok no more espresso for me this morning. lol...well at least you are on the little bit silly setting...today, I'm a little bit Jekyll and Hyde-ish... Who called one of esteemed moderators an old dog? Just asking so we know which one will be banned? And explain which one is a little bit country and a bit rock and roll? The one in birkenstocks has to be rock and roll. |
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Post by DENelson83 on Mar 10, 2009 8:12:40 GMT -8
Who called one of esteemed moderators an old dog? Just asking so we know which one will be banned? And explain which one is a little bit country and a bit rock and roll? The one in birkenstocks has to be rock and roll. And the country one wears lederhosen? ;D |
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 10, 2009 18:26:55 GMT -8
I can't get lost. I have a GPS. Oh yes you can! Just make the mistake of letting the batteries run too low and not having spares. You need to have an alternate means of determining just where you are or you may be left well and truly lost. |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Mar 11, 2009 7:25:04 GMT -8
Oh yes you can! Just make the mistake of letting the batteries run too low and not having spares. You need to have an alternate means of determining just where you are or you may be left well and truly lost. Alternate means? That's pretty easy. Use a sheet of paper with lines and colour patches on it. It's called a topographic map (or when at sea, use a nautical chart). used with a little round thing called a compass. GPS is nice, but it's not essential for good travelling. Always give a friend a bad time because he has one of those GPS navigators in his car. "Too hard to use a map?" "This is Vancouver, surely you don't think you're lost around our neighbourhood..." Know where you've been and where you're goin and how long its going to take to get there. A friend who has a black shiney Jag loves to mess with his GPS woman. The nice voice tells him to go a certain route and he usually ignores it and goes a different route. I am sure he only does that when he has someone in the car with him and to be annoying. His profession mind you is the one most often associated with sharks and makes a very good living being adversarial and annoying. I inherited my dad's sense of direction and just need to see a route on a map (gps or printed) and then can drive it. The voice cues annoy the you know what out of me. For the same reason CAA/AAA trip tiks aren't for me because they are orientated to how you drive and not north/south. That messes with my own internal guidance. Now dad has the gps in the car, a handheld one, AND one on his computer. I tell him traveling with is like going somewhere with NASA. How relaxing1 He loves the toys and mom needs a vacation to recover from any driving trip they take . |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 11, 2009 8:48:35 GMT -8
One thing that really annoys me is I have heard there will no public viewing of the ship in Vancouver which I think is pretty poor seeing they had one for the Nor Ad. That news clip said Port Hardy Prince Rupert and Skidegate which I think is pointless to have one in Skidegate as she isent even going to be on that route until like the fall.
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rt1commuter
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Post by rt1commuter on Mar 11, 2009 13:55:40 GMT -8
Port Hardy eh? That will be a long drive....
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ProudCanuck
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Post by ProudCanuck on Mar 11, 2009 14:38:45 GMT -8
I sent an email to Deborah Marshall and this is the response I got:
Hello. Thanks for your note.
Due to budget reductions we won't be holding a public open house for the Northern Expedition in the Lower Mainland. We will be holding public open houses for the Northern Expedition in Prince Rupert, Skidegate and Port Hardy --- the communities the ship will serve.
With regards to the Island Sky, budget reductions also precluded an event in the Lower Mainland. We did hold an open house at Saltery Bay to show off the ship to local residents.
Thanks for your interest in BC Ferries
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Post by Nickfro on Mar 11, 2009 15:02:52 GMT -8
That makes a lot of sense. I know that the ferry enthousiasts would really like to see an open house close to home. However, the present economy has forced companies to keep promotional expenses to a minimum. Sure it may help BCFS generate more business on the northern routes if they were to hold an open in Vancouver, but right now it's not worth the added expense. At least they won't have to pay additional costs for holding their open ship viewings since they will be held at their own ferry terminals, as opposed to renting a spot adjacent to Canada Place for a day or two.
It's too bad, but I support the decision made by BCFS to only host opens in the communities that specific vessel will serve.
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 11, 2009 20:03:07 GMT -8
An open house at Port Hardy might be do-able depending on when they schedule it (ie. which day of the week, which hours of the day). I might even be up for a trip to Port Hardy - maybe take a couple of days, go see Norex, and do the Sunshine Coast Route on the way back - could be fun. We'll have to see what BCF plans, and how much notice they will give. And, for me, it will depend on my work schedule, too. Things are really busy right now, so I probably couldn't take more than a couple of days off, anyway.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Mar 12, 2009 5:40:03 GMT -8
Paul - yikes tracking - I have enough problems escaping from facebook, msn, yahoo, text messages, cell calls, emails etc. etc. But letting clients and friends track me gives me chills. I get enough come here, go there, we need you, please come for drinks, as it is. Next it will be "well you are only two blocks away, you have to drop by..." Advertising/marketing types are always up to something and I have too many friends who work in the restaurant industry. Some days you just want to sit and read quiet somewhere. Personally, I think BC Tourism should kick in for the openhouse at Canada Place. Anyone going north will be buying gas, eating in restaurants, likely sleeping overnight etc. etc. know on "ferry days" the hotels are often booked up. But someone who usually does a week in Oregon might be tempted to try the "new ferry" if they see the coverage in the papers and news. Not that of course government bodies and civil servants would do something like that around election time . |
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Mar 16, 2009 22:13:13 GMT -8
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rt1commuter
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Post by rt1commuter on Mar 16, 2009 22:15:25 GMT -8
Open house? When was this announced? Is she on her way to Prince Rupert tomorrow or will she be back?
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Mar 16, 2009 22:23:05 GMT -8
Open house? When was this announced? It was not announced publically. Today's open house was at Departure Bay and hosted for BCF staff and their families.
Is she on her way to Prince Rupert tomorrow or will she be back? No, I would assume this sea-trial will just be out in the strait. |
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Mar 17, 2009 7:53:18 GMT -8
So, the big question I've been trying to get a definite answer for.... Is the Aurora Lounge the designated reserved seating lounge? It seems to be the only area inside the ship that is afforded a forward view, aside from the cafeteria on the deck below.
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 17, 2009 8:03:49 GMT -8
Wow! Awesome pics, Scott! You are so lucky that you get to attend these employee-only events, and get to see the new ships before everyone else - no jealousy on my part here  . Did anyone from BC Ferries mention anything about public open houses for this fine ship? Are they still planning on holding events at Prince Rupert, Port Hardy, and Skidegate? |
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on Mar 17, 2009 8:07:43 GMT -8
So, the big question I've been trying to get a definite answer for.... Is the Aurora Lounge the designated reserved seating lounge? It seems to be the only area inside the ship that is afforded a forward view, aside from the cafeteria on the deck below. The forward view from the cafeteria on the deck below doesn't look to be all too promising. All the bow machinery seems to be on that deck, so I imagine the forward end of the cafeteria is a just a solid bulkhead that doesn't afford much of a view. |
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Post by blackshadow on Mar 17, 2009 8:28:23 GMT -8
Scott: Did you notice in the deck 5 seating lounge the missing screws in the window, screws not all the way in and big slice in the carpet? I am sure why it was like this but this isn't the workmanship we have known from FSG.
Below is few of my comments:
It was too bad the vessel was not hosed down before leaving FSG, as many areas were grinding material is laying on the white paint and rusting but this often happens with vessels painted before work is completed.
There is what I call smokers area on bridge deck level between two sections of house works just before the funnel. It can not be seen in profile pictures. This area is area 15 feet by whole width of the accommodation area with normal door size opening. There isn`t any within it but is well lite.
I found the control bit small and dark if you compare to the CR`s control room.
Engine room painted deck could use another coat of paint, as one can see the white over spray through the green paint.
I wonder if management will increase the stern door size on the NorA to size of NorEx as it very nice size. The loading officer can load two cars at same time that how wide door is.
I am surprised BCFS moved away from the standards on this vessel. Wall board and carpeting are not BCFS standards.
Great job on all the door ways, there is very little tripping hazard and wheelchair can easily go over. Nice work.
I am not big fan of the NorA but I like the her layout and outfitting than I do on NorEx. There is but tho NorEx has a better working in galley than NorA. The crew areas are much nicer on NorA than NorEx. I would on the NorEx before the NorA if ever get a chance as know we the quaility of workmanship like on both girls.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Mar 17, 2009 9:36:51 GMT -8
So, the big question I've been trying to get a definite answer for.... Is the Aurora Lounge the designated reserved seating lounge? It seems to be the only area inside the ship that is afforded a forward view, aside from the cafeteria on the deck below. Yes, the Aurora Lounge is the reserved seating lounge. There is a swipe card scanner next to the door to allow access for paying passengers. The Buffet is located below the Aurora Lounge. However, there is no forward viewing in there. Did anyone from BC Ferries mention anything about public open houses for this fine ship? Are they still planning on holding events at Prince Rupert, Port Hardy, and Skidegate? The places you have mentioned will have an open house for the NorEx prior to service this summer. I was told that there is a possibility that there will be one held in Vancouver once the summer season is over, possibly in October. Scott: Did you notice in the deck 5 seating lounge the missing screws in the window, screws not all the way in and big slice in the carpet? I am sure why it was like this but this isn't the workmanship we have known from FSG. I did not notice the screws on the windows, but I did notice the rip in the carpet. There is what I call smokers area on bridge deck level between two sections of house works just before the funnel. It can not be seen in profile pictures. This area is area 15 feet by whole width of the accommodation area with normal door size opening. There isn`t any within it but is well lite. For those that do not know what we are talking about, the arrow points to this area's location.  This area is like a tunnel that goes from both sides of the vessel and is protected from the elements. I am surprised BCFS moved away from the standards on this vessel. Wall board and carpeting are not BCFS standards. With Steen Friis as the interior designer, there does not appear to be any similarities with interior finishings between them and Smartdesign. The seats used in the lounges (except the Aurora) are identical what was used on the NorAd, just with the addition of more colour. Having only one ship with this interior, it will be interesting to see what will happen when things start to wear and require replacement. |
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Mar 17, 2009 9:50:43 GMT -8
So, the big question I've been trying to get a definite answer for.... Is the Aurora Lounge the designated reserved seating lounge? It seems to be the only area inside the ship that is afforded a forward view, aside from the cafeteria on the deck below. Yes, the Aurora Lounge is the reserved seating lounge. There is a swipe card scanner next to the door to allow access for paying passengers. The Buffet is located below the Aurora Lounge. However, there is no forward viewing in there. This is a significant disappointment to me. This makes the ship very much comparable to the NorAd to me now, as there is effectively no forward viewing on either of those ships if you're not willing to pay through the nose. I am one of those people who won't sit for long periods of time and stare out the window on these cruises, so spending the money for a reserved seat is not a worthwhile investment. However, if the lounge, or at least part of it, was available to be used for short periods of time, that would be useful. I'm very disappointed in this use of space. I think the reserved seating is a good idea, but I don't think it needs to be consuming the only lounge with a decent view. |
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rt1commuter
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Post by rt1commuter on Mar 17, 2009 10:38:54 GMT -8
I don't think this crossing can be done without forward viewing for me. Therefore, my effective fare will go from $150 to $180. Such is life I suppose  . |
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 17, 2009 17:11:51 GMT -8
It seems that I will have no choice but to fork out what ever it costs to use the forward lounge. As far as I can tell this will be the only spot on the ship with a decent forward view. I include the outer decks in this statement as well. I am hoping that the forward lounge will be available to customers without extra charge during the off season.
I was hoping the vessel would have a forward outer deck viewing area similar to what the QPR has. Scott, do you know if the top most deck will be accessible to passengers as is the case in summer on the NorAd?
BCFS has a mandate to squeeze money out of their 'clients' wherever they can. Thank you David; thank you Kevin!
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Mar 17, 2009 18:53:53 GMT -8
Scott, do you knows if the top most deck will be accessible to passengers as is the case in summer on the NorAd? I cannot say for sure, but judging by what I saw I would assume it would be. |
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. Ok no more espresso for me this morning.
. Did anyone from BC Ferries mention anything about public open houses for this fine ship? Are they still planning on holding events at Prince Rupert, Port Hardy, and Skidegate?
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