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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 24, 2016 8:19:43 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo on her first morning trip through Active Pass, on July 13, 2016:
This video shows her first heading to Village Bay, and then later into the pass. Between that is the 7:45am Spiritual experience in the pass.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 24, 2016 16:32:38 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo seen in/near Active Pass, on July 12 & 13, 2016. Here she is at night on July 12th, on her last trip of the day. I've fiddled with the colours on this, so this is experimental on my part, trying to make something of a photo that I took using a way-too-low ISO (I forgot to change to auto-ISO for the night shots in this set).  DSC04019 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Morning of the 13th, heading to the pass on her first run of the day:  DSC04166 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Aug 2, 2016 19:35:42 GMT -8
*Warning - Photo heavy post! * People who are friends with me on facebook will have already seen some of these photos - On Wednesday I got back from a trip to the coast, in which riding/seeing the Queens of Nanaimo and New Westminster was my main focus. Basically a final goodbye trip before impending retirements! I attempted to take lots of pictures of the simple little things that I appreciate about the Nanaimo, that some people may see as being ugly or old fashioned. Enjoy!  I was delighted to see these old chairs sitting at Tsawwassen - couldn't resist taking a photo!  Classic Spaulding features  There are many things I appreciate in this photo - the light with the cover, all of the cords on the ceiling, the wooden doors, all of the steel bulwarks, and the small staircase.  Queen of Nanaimo leaving Galiano Island  Queen of Nanaimo on her way to Tsawwassen  Queen of Nanaimo transiting Active Pass from the Galiano Bluffs  Queen of Nanaimo and a Spook      This is the first time that I've gotten a photo of the sisters together, and could well posssibly be the last. Neat nonetheless! I will have several more posts in the coming days about different parts of my trip, not excluding the Queen of Nanaimo of course! |
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Aug 14, 2016 14:56:17 GMT -8
*WARNING* Photo Heavy Post
More photos of the Queen of Nanaimo from my recent trip to the coast - Included here are some 'Character Shots' of the Nanny that I really appreciate.  Classic Queen of Nanaimo shot - I love the tilt! I also enjoy this angle, as it makes her large funnel look quite disproportionate to the rest of her superstructure!  Queen of Nanaimo at Village Bay with her sister passing in the background  Welcome Aboard  Interesting how the sign instructing to read the sign is actually smaller!  No worries, I asked permission from a crew member to get this shot! I especially appreciate the bow windows shown in the background.   Spot the ferry geek! Also kindly taken by a crew member  Forward lounge  Walkway up to the bridge  Long Harbour seen through one of the rear 'Spaulding' windows    A remnant of precoastalization!  I immensely enjoy these old signs. Some of the washroom signs are also in this style 'Ladies' and 'Gentlemen'  Queen of Alberni seen through one of the wooden doors  In Summary, I had an awesome time riding the Queen of Nanaimo on this trip. I am hoping to get on her one last time yet at Christmas, but we'll see!
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Aug 22, 2016 22:51:08 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 25, 2016 17:44:10 GMT -8
Here's another "for the sake of history" view of Phil Spaulding's Queen of Nanaimo, as she approaches Sturdies Bay:
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Post by Mike on Aug 29, 2016 16:52:25 GMT -8
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Post by Balfour on Sept 5, 2016 1:20:46 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 5, 2016 15:50:54 GMT -8
I love this view. The ship, the angle, the location, the vantage point. WCFF is accumulating a great legacy of the B-Class' final years. Various photos of the Queen of Nanaimo sailing through Active Pass.  |
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Post by Mike on Sept 5, 2016 18:15:03 GMT -8
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Post by Balfour on Sept 10, 2016 17:34:25 GMT -8
A couple pictures of the Queen of Nanaimo passing the Bowen Queen at full speed!   |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 10, 2016 17:49:20 GMT -8
It is great to see all these fine images of the Queen of Nanaimo in her final year of service. I will be continuing my contributions to this effort, on a milk-run round-trip on Monday September 12th.
My plan is to shoot video to give a good record of what a typical Route-9 milk run on the 'Nanny was like. Things like the various island approaches and stops, with views from near the fo'c'sle and from the outer upper decks. As usual, the challenge will be to do this in way that shows off the ship, route and scenery, without showing the crew or other passengers. I like to be a non-intrusive videographer who doesn't get in the way.
Anyways, that's what I'm hoping to accomplish on Monday. For everyone reading this, I hope that you have a chance to ride this classic ship again, sometime before her spring 2017 retirement.
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Post by Mike on Sept 10, 2016 18:03:33 GMT -8
It is great to see all these fine images of the Queen of Nanaimo in her final year of service. I will be continuing my contributions to this effort, on a milk-run round-trip on Monday September 12th. Here's another, taken after the Nanaimo passed the Bowen Queen outside Active Pass:  M/V Queen of Nanaimo in Active Pass by Michael, on Flickr |
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 10, 2016 19:50:13 GMT -8
Very awesome bow shot of the old girl. It captures those true 'Spaulding' details.
I must get serious about doing the 'Nanny' run soon as well. The 'Nanny' was my first totally brand new vessel when I joined BC Ferries.
She still looks good while retaining some of the 'old' features in various sections of the interior passenger spaces. Love the wooden doors too.
Yes, many major and minor re-do's keep her looking sharp!
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 15, 2016 21:01:34 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo is seconds away home at Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island - 9 September 2016. This was Friday afternoon (last week) so she had a very brief layover before collecting me & my car for the non-stop run to Tsawwassen. This was probably my last ride on the 'old girl'. I will miss her, &, I suspect, so too will many others.  © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 16, 2016 11:42:00 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo is seconds away home at Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island - 9 September 2016. This was Friday afternoon (last week) so she had a very brief layover before collecting me & my car for the non-stop run to Tsawwassen. This was probably my last ride on the 'old girl'. I will miss her, &, I suspect, so too will many others. © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr Do any of our learned forum members have factual engineering information as to the overall condition of the 'Nanny'? We know the 'Queen of Burnaby' has major issues and may not be worth putting into a 'reserve' status. 'IF', the overall condition of the 'Nanny' might warrant consideration for such a status, would there be ANY merit in keeping the old girl around for a few years as she is capable of providing service on all BC Ferry routes other than the Northern ones? Until the new Salish class vessels are delivered and have weathered any teething problems, a reserve status for the 'Nanny' MAY make some economic sense. We have seen time and again, instances where BC Ferries is an emergency relief vessel short when the need arises. Yes, I realize I may win the Lottery before the aforementioned proposal gains any traction but what the heck..eh?  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 16, 2016 20:38:48 GMT -8
I did a Route 9 "milk run" round trip on Queen of Nanaimo on Monday, September 12, 2016. The purpose was twofold: - To enjoy a day on the water in the midst of spectacular scenery, on a classic ship. This might have been my final trip on the good old ship. - To shoot video and stills to document the ship in her Route-9 habitat, for the sake of history. So my challenge was to not just shoot a touristy video from the bow showing off Route-9's scenery, but instead to show the distinctive features of this Spaulding classic in that fabulous scenery. So I took the 10:10am trip from Tsawwassen, and then the 3:15pm from Long Harbour. Here's my video of leg-1, the 10:10am milk run trip: -------------- And here are some stills showing what I was looking for:  DSC05930 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr With Coastal Renaissance in Active Pass  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr To her home port  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr About to enter Active Pass  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Helen Point on Mayne Island  DSC06034 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 18, 2016 12:48:00 GMT -8
Here is my 3:15pm Route 9 "Milk Run" trip on Queen of Nanaimo. Same itinerary as my morning trip, but in opposite direction and with much nicer lighting for my camera. -------------- Leaving Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr At Sturdies Bay, Galiano Island  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by bigcountry on Sept 18, 2016 13:42:15 GMT -8
Any reason the Spirit of BC wasn't tied up in Berth 1 so the Nanaimo could use her normal Berth 2?
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Post by Kahloke on Sept 18, 2016 15:31:18 GMT -8
Some very nice pics of Nanaimo in the last few months by some of our members. I, too, did what I think will be my final ride on this venerable Spaulding earlier this summer. I posted some photos on our Flickr page, but I think I should probably post them here, too. Queen of Nanaimo at Village Bay, Mayne Island - Saturday, July 23, 2016  Queen of Nanaimo departing Village Bay - Saturday, July 23, 2016   |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 18, 2016 19:35:52 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo was in Tsawwassen's berth #3 on the night I was there (SoBC was in refit in berth #2). So my vantage point from the West Coast Ferries Forum lounge was perfect to watch this ship depart: With Queen of New Westminster:  DSC05976 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  DSC06124 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by yak on Sept 18, 2016 23:18:05 GMT -8
Nice video(s) Mike. It is interesting to watch some of the approaches and turns from a different perspective. I like your last photo in the second post too - literally sailing off into the sunset.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 19, 2016 10:24:45 GMT -8
Mike's awesome videos of the morning and afternoon route 9 runs aboard the 'Queen of Nanaimo' capture a ship that offers this forum member a very definitive 52 year 'time-line' of personal history. At the start of the Summer season on route 2, toiling on the 'Queen of Sidney', then the 'Sechelt Queen', a young lad of 18 fell into the good fortune of serving on the brand new 'Queen of Nanaimo'. I can still remember the new paint smell of the ship as I walked down the ramp onto the glistening, spotless car deck. While gawking about this cavernous space, I stumbled on a brightly painted yellow 'turtle', which nearly sent me sprawling. The gruff laughter I heard came from none other than Chief Tommy Wheeler who, a was his style, offered his poignant advice: "Watch out where you're going lad, hate to lose you the first day out". Yeah Tommy, thanks for that. His advice became a 'Life-lesson' which has served me well. I survived that summer on the 'Nanny' and two summer seasons as a Steward on the new 'Queen of New Westminster' before heading north to the 'Queen of Prince Rupert'. The ensuing years that have brought about life changes, career changes,and world events too numerous to mention, everything this young lad has experienced has occurred during the 52 year life span of the 'Queen of Nanaimo'. My heartfelt thanks to all our members who have contributed to this thread over the course of time. Your contributions have provided a beautiful time-frame of life to look back upon. We've all heard the old saying: "there's been a lot of water under that bridge". And so it is for the venerable old 'Nanny', but with thanks to yester-year mentors like Chief Wheeler, my ship has many more oceans to cross, more water under the bridge. |
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 29, 2016 16:04:07 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 5, 2016 20:48:51 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo at Tsawwassen's berth #1, on morning of September 12, 2016. - Spirit of BC is in berth #2 undergoing some refit work.  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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