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Post by Blisswood on Apr 3, 2017 13:27:48 GMT -8
(This should probably go under Ferry Travel - Trips.)
I had a very nice sailing on Q. of Nanaimo this past Saturday. I've never boarded at Long Harbour before (no car), so I started there ex-Fulford. The transit system isn't specifically geared to the ferries, but they do a pretty good job. I stayed on through Otter Bay, got off at Village Bay, and returned to Victoria on the Cumberland via VB and OB. Riding Nanaimo brought back a number of memories of her time on Route 1. The decks are definitely looking tired but she looks good on the inside. I even looked over the platform decks, a first for me. Of course I stopped in the cafeteria and bought a Nanaimo bar. I found the 2-stop trip way too short and I missed not only the gift shop, but two chances to record her wonderful whistle, so I'm going to try again...maybe starting at Tsawwassen for the full Active Pass experience. I found the LgH ticket agent and Q. Nan's cafeteria cashier very friendly, enthusiastic, and informative about the fleet. All in all, I score the excursion 8 out of 10. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 3, 2017 18:37:06 GMT -8
I am looking at reservations page on BC Ferries for the Summer schedule on Southern Gulf Island to Tsawwassen it seems like Queen of Nanaimo will be the main boat on the route with her home port being Long Harbour and Salish Eagle will fill the Bowen Queen job on route 9A.
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Neil
Voyager 
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Post by Neil on Apr 3, 2017 20:55:53 GMT -8
I am looking at reservations page on BC Ferries for the Summer schedule on Southern Gulf Island to Tsawwassen it seems like Queen of Nanaimo will be the main boat on the route with her home port being Long Harbour and Salish Eagle will fill the Bowen Queen job on route 9A. Didn't think they would pair the Salish Eagle up with the Bowen Queen. For one summer at least, Gulf Islanders will get a big boost in capacity before it drops somewhat with two Salish class vessels next year. This will be a good summer for people planning Gulf islands day trips from the mainland. If I was dreaming in technicolour I might hope that having the Bowen in reserve this summer would allow BC Ferries to put Quinitsa on the Hornby run. But I'm not. |
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John H
Voyager
Admin Emeritus
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Post by John H on Apr 4, 2017 18:29:30 GMT -8
I am looking at reservations page on BC Ferries for the Summer schedule on Southern Gulf Island to Tsawwassen it seems like Queen of Nanaimo will be the main boat on the route with her home port being Long Harbour and Salish Eagle will fill the Bowen Queen job on route 9A. The schedule is quite different than different years. The "9A" route you refer to was only in operation a few days a week. With the new summer schedule, both vessels will be in operation every day. The Long Harbour based vessel (QUEEN OF NANAIMO) still seems to have the longer hours though. Like Neil said, this will be a good summer to take a trip to the islands with all the extra capacity. I wonder if they will crew the QUEEN OF NANAIMO at full capacity, or at a lower level? |
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Post by Scott on Apr 8, 2017 21:58:20 GMT -8
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soling
Oiler (New Member)
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Post by soling on Apr 14, 2017 9:06:50 GMT -8
Is there going to be a last sailing retirement party on the Nanny? I feel like I owe the old girl a fond farewell.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 14, 2017 9:23:47 GMT -8
Is there going to be a last sailing retirement party on the Nanny? I feel like I owe the old girl a fond farewell. It probably depends on what you mean in terms of "who" as the host. A BC Ferries company party? Not likely. A union party? Not likely. Various interested people trying to be on the very last sailing of the ship? Likely. |
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 14, 2017 15:21:23 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 15, 2017 12:18:28 GMT -8
Is there going to be a last sailing retirement party on the Nanny? I feel like I owe the old girl a fond farewell. As Flugel Horn has stated it is unlikely that there will be a 'last sailing' party although as he says there no doubt will be forum members who plan on a gathering during her final voyage. If any members have information as to when and where the decommissioning ceremony might take place, I would appreciate the information. As many of you know, the 'Nanny' holds quite a special spot in my voyage of life.  |
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Post by gulfislandkayaker on Apr 16, 2017 14:53:08 GMT -8
I plan on being on the last sailing of the Nanaimo. The Sidney and Tsawwassen (not so much the Queen of the Islands) were important vessels in terms of getting me to my beloved Southern Gulf Islands for many years...but the Nanny is tops for me. Plus, I'm retired now and I can do whimsical stuff like this. Thinking about taking the Orca for its first sailing too...even though it's not "my" ferry...that would be the Eagle (and Raven).
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 17, 2017 5:43:39 GMT -8
I plan on being on the last sailing of the Nanaimo. The Sidney and Tsawwassen (not so much the Queen of the Islands) were important vessels in terms of getting me to my beloved Southern Gulf Islands for many years...but the Nanny is tops for me. Plus, I'm retired now and I can do whimsical stuff like this. Thinking about taking the Orca for its first sailing too...even though it's not "my" ferry...that would be the Eagle (and Raven). Doing the last sailing on the Queen of Nanaimo, would indeed be a tremendous curtain call sailing for me. Perhaps we could nominate 'gulfislandkayaker' to keep an eagle-eye on the upcoming sailing schedule and alert us to when the 'Nanny's' last sailing will be. I hope that run is one that departs from TSA and returns. |
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Post by Mike on Apr 22, 2017 19:40:14 GMT -8
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Post by gulfislandkayaker on May 17, 2017 16:17:46 GMT -8
I was the lone foot passenger to walk on the Nanaimo at Otter Bay just a few minutes ago. I am trying to savour every trip on her now. And I'm more than happy that she will be servicing the SGI for one last Summer.
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Post by yak on May 18, 2017 8:38:13 GMT -8
A rare sight - the Nanny approaching Long Harbour bow-first. She needed to perform a scheduled deployment of her marine evacuation system on the port side between morning and afternoon sailings.   |
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Post by gulfislandkayaker on May 18, 2017 17:12:01 GMT -8
And that's why it left Otter Bay an hour later than I had anticipated. No problem, the sun was out (sorta) and I enjoyed the wait watching all sorts of marine activity, including the Spirits gliding by...
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Post by Blisswood on May 27, 2017 18:25:56 GMT -8
(This should probably go under Ferry Travel - Trips.)
I had a very nice sailing on Q. of Nanaimo this past Saturday. I've never boarded at Long Harbour before (no car), so I started there ex-Fulford. The transit system isn't specifically geared to the ferries, but they do a pretty good job. I stayed on through Otter Bay, got off at Village Bay, and returned to Victoria on the Cumberland via VB and OB. Riding Nanaimo brought back a number of memories of her time on Route 1. The decks are definitely looking tired but she looks good on the inside. I even looked over the platform decks, a first for me. Of course I stopped in the cafeteria and bought a Nanaimo bar. I found the 2-stop trip way too short and I missed not only the gift shop, but two chances to record her wonderful whistle, so I'm going to try again...maybe starting at Tsawwassen for the full Active Pass experience. I found the LgH ticket agent and Q. Nan's cafeteria cashier very friendly, enthusiastic, and informative about the fleet. All in all, I score the excursion 8 out of 10. May follow-up: I'm thinking of doing a 3-ship/3-route marathon on June 15: 8 AM Coastal Celebration to Tsawwassen (first time as a pax on any Coastal), 10:10 AM Queen of Nanaimo to Long Harbour via G-M-P (the reason for the voyage!), then a Skeena Queen to Swartz Bay (gotta get back home somehow!), arriving around 5 PM. |
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Post by penderdiver on May 30, 2017 19:16:16 GMT -8
On the 1920 Tsawasssn departure today it was announced that it was the final run for her captain who is retiring. I didn't catch the gentleman's name from the announcement but I thought I would pass it on.
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Post by WettCoast on May 30, 2017 19:58:05 GMT -8
On the 1920 Tsawasssn departure today it was announced that it was the final run for her captain who is retiring. I didn't catch the gentleman's name from the announcement but I thought I would pass it on. , Chris, might be able to help us with this one ... |
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Post by yak on May 30, 2017 23:01:10 GMT -8
On the 1920 Tsawasssn departure today it was announced that it was the final run for her captain who is retiring. I didn't catch the gentleman's name from the announcement but I thought I would pass it on. Erring on the side of privacy I'm not going to repeat his name but I will say that this particular Captain has been great to work with and that he is quite the storyteller. He's worked with the ferries for 38 years and spent time on the Queen of Tsawwassen before the Nanaimo. When finding your own way through a career at sea you appreciate what the experiences of people like this can teach you. During his informal retirement party onboard a few days ago some crew got him a cake that had a picture of the Queen of Nanaimo on it. I suggested that when the ship retires perhaps there should be a cake with a picture of him...  |
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Post by Starsteward on May 31, 2017 8:05:02 GMT -8
The story related above by 'yak' is but one example of what makes this forum so special. The ship-mates we meet along the way that influence our lives,the connections/opportunities that ensue from our ship-board work relationships are the bonus benefits that can far exceed the dollar amount on a paycheque.
Folks that have spent many years at sea, near and far, can be a treasure trove of knowledge, free of charge if one takes the time to 'listen'.
Kudos to the crew who took the time to make the Captain's retirement party special, I'm sure he was very appreciative.
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Post by Scott on Jun 11, 2017 23:06:17 GMT -8
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Post by Charles on Jun 12, 2017 6:21:10 GMT -8
The last time I went on the Queen of Nanaimo was in December but in that picture her paint doesn't look as rusted. Did they repaint her since then?
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Post by Starsteward on Jun 12, 2017 8:38:27 GMT -8
The last time I went on the Queen of Nanaimo was in December but in that picture her paint doesn't look as rusted. Did they repaint her since then? It looks like the 'Nanny' won the battle of the paint wars for sure. Seems that she got whatever 'last paint' supplies were allotted to the two retiring old Queens. Perhaps the deciding factor was 'seniority' as the 'Nanny' is a year senior to the 'Burnaby'. Nice to see BC Ferries keeping the 'Nanny' looking good especially since she sails on a route that mingles with at least one of all the other BC Ferries vessel types with the exception of the 'C's. |
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Post by Scott on Jun 12, 2017 9:02:38 GMT -8
The last time I went on the Queen of Nanaimo was in December but in that picture her paint doesn't look as rusted. Did they repaint her since then? She received an acid wash earlier this month. |
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Post by roeco on Jun 12, 2017 10:49:54 GMT -8
hopefully they will sell the nanaimo as an operational ship unlike the burnaby
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