FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Apr 22, 2009 9:29:59 GMT -8
Asbestos ceiling tiles close B.C. ferry loungewww.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/04/22/bc-asbestos-bc-ferries.htmlFrom CBC BRITISH COLUMBIA: Some BC Ferries passengers will have to ride on the outside deck until the corporation can cover up asbestos ceiling tiles in the lounge of a 40-year-old vessel. In February, BC Ferries discovered asbestos was leaking from the ceiling tiles of the vessel that services the small communities of Port McNeill, Sointula, and Alert Bay off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. The ferry corporation covered the tiles to contain the asbestos, but last weekend concerns emerged that it wasn't working. BC Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said the lounge has been closed again, and rather than removing the tile, the corporation has approval to contain the asbestos by covering it again. The repair work could take two weeks or more, Marshall said, and in the meantime the corporation will put a bus onboard the ferry for foot passengers in lieu of lounge access. Air quality tests have not found any asbestos in the air on board the vessel, said Marshall. Around 50 high school students use the vessel every day, but Marshall is not concerned about not having enough room on the bus, because many customers stay in their own vehicles for the short trips. "Our concern was to close that lounge, until we are satisfied that there isn't any issues going on," she said. Asbestos an issue for decommissioned vesselsDealing with the asbestos on the BC Ferries fleet remains an ongoing concern for the corporation as it replaces many of the older ships. BC Ferries put three of its decommissioned vessels up for sale on Monday, and the corporation's 2006-07 annual report noted: "The company’s long-lived assets include certain vessels which contain undetermined amounts of asbestos. Under certain circumstances the company may be required to handle and dispose of the asbestos in a manner required by regulations. "It is the company’s intention to sell decommissioned vessels into world markets for continued use in providing commercial ferry service. Under these circumstances asbestos remediation would become the responsibility of the new owner."
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 24, 2009 18:03:19 GMT -8
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 24, 2009 18:11:37 GMT -8
Actually, I'm more surprised the Tyee didn't grab the scoop on this one. After all: it certainly must be a scandal.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 24, 2009 21:37:52 GMT -8
Three years ago, I sent an e-mail to BC Ferries asking them about the asbestos situation, and this is the reply I received, which I think I posted at the time:
We have invested 30 million dollars over the last 20 years in removing asbestos from our fleet. We will continue to be vigilant with on going risk assessments, maintenance and refitting of our vessels in order to provide the safest and best possible service to our customers. Our older vessels do contain minor trace amounts of asbestos which has been enclosed or encapsulated, or is other wise contained in normally safe material, for example wall paneling, cabinets, etc. We do have an Asbestos Inspector who oversees all work with asbestos to ensure we are meeting all safety standards. I trust that I have been able to clarify your concerns and we look forward to welcoming you back on board again soon.
It would seem, in retrospect, that they were less than honest in their claim that only 'trace' amounts of asbestos were left on board all the vessels, and that it had been safely contained.
This might become a significant story.
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Post by Nickfro on Apr 27, 2009 10:53:27 GMT -8
Here is another news article on this issue. . . Link to article here.
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Post by Nickfro on May 5, 2009 13:15:11 GMT -8
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Post by Kahloke on May 5, 2009 13:22:44 GMT -8
Good - I'm planning on doing a round-trip aboard QQ2 as a "footy" on my way up to the Norex open ship event at Port Hardy on May 17. It will be better if the passenger cabin is open, especially since I have not been on this vessel before.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 18, 2009 21:12:25 GMT -8
Quadra Queen II coming into Port Mcneill-It was a really stormy day, and when we were on her it was really rolling! When we came back from Sointula, as we were docking the crew pulled out the poll and pushed off the dock to ease the ferry in. Has anyone ever seen this before? It was really quite interesting! The sailing was really nice though.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 18, 2009 21:47:22 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 19, 2009 21:28:17 GMT -8
When Ferries go into or return from refit they often dock at Horseshoe Bay or another of the major ferry terminals for a short amount of time. The only time I've ever seen something like this is when the QQII was at Horseshoe Bay in December of 2004.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 3, 2009 12:25:39 GMT -8
On the way down Island I had to stop at Port McNeill and get a photo of the Quadra Queen II. I don't get up that way very often;)
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Post by Scott on Jul 22, 2010 16:57:29 GMT -8
Last night I was on the 9:00 Spirit of British Columbia sailing from Swartz Bay. We were running about 15 minutes late so it was quite dark when we arrived at Active Pass. As we approached I noticed a tug pulling something just ahead of the Spirit of Vancouver Island. When it got close, I realized the tug was actually pulling a ferry. Below is the best photo I managed to get of it: Am I correct in assuming it's the Quadra Queen II? Does anyone know why she's under tow... is it an engine problem or is it just cheaper?
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jul 22, 2010 18:05:47 GMT -8
Yes, it was the QQII.....the info I have is that it was to assist in docking at Point Hope Shipyard, although I don't know why they wouldn't just use a tug that is already stationed there.
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Post by Ferryman on Jul 23, 2010 0:13:25 GMT -8
She was being towed to Victoria, since she's undering going quite a substantial refit at the moment. Also, even if she was still operational, it was likely cheaper to bring a tug out to tow her there, instead of bringing a crew from up North.
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Post by Ferryman on Oct 7, 2010 20:51:59 GMT -8
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Post by Curtis on Oct 7, 2010 21:38:11 GMT -8
Wow! That is one heck of a lot of scaffolding. You'd almost think they were renovating a building if you didn't know it was a shipyard.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2010 6:04:35 GMT -8
Thanks for the photo update. One wouldn't almost think there was a ferry under there. Looks like she is getting a major refit and if I am seeing those pictures correctly perhaps even some new windows. I wonder if she will be "coastalized" inside when they are done?
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Post by lmtengs on Oct 8, 2010 17:52:58 GMT -8
It looks like the Cirque du Soleil came to town! ;D That big chunky that juts out that has stairs going up it, is it new? So it looks to me like they're... -Painting her, -Replacing windows, -Coastalizing her, -maybe doing some part replacements, -and maybe, if I'm right about that chunky mentioned above, they may be adding pieces onto her. -Are they going to keep that first-nation's art on the front of her superstructure? Anything else?
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Post by Ferryman on Oct 8, 2010 23:27:59 GMT -8
Re: Big Chunky
At first I wondered the same. But then I looked through older photos and noticed that it's not a new feature, and the Tachek also has the same thing.
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Post by lmtengs on Oct 8, 2010 23:34:10 GMT -8
Re: Big Chunky At first I wondered the same. But then I looked through older photos and noticed that it's not a new feature, and the Tachek also has the same thing. Aw, I was excited for a minute. Are we expecting any other major changes, like maybe a slightly different paint job?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 18, 2010 19:01:48 GMT -8
Photos of the Quadra Queen II at Point Hope Shipyard on Nov.18, 2010. - She is getting her life-extension work done. Work is comprised of: ===================== Photos from various angles: - similar to what Chris posted last month, but now there's less tarp so more refitted ship is showing.... - starboard-aft corner: - stern - port-aft corner: - Starboard side: - Starboard-bow corner: - close-up of the new bridge: - Bow view, with the turntable and marine-railway in foreground. Port side, from across the water at Capital Iron:
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Nov 18, 2010 20:49:23 GMT -8
That's really nice to see. Along with Tenaka, the Tachek and Quadra Queen are among my favorite ferries, and while we might lose Tenaka, it's gratifying that at least two of these plucky little single enders are going to be around for a good while yet. By the time they retire, they might be just about the only single enders on the south coast of BC, aside from the Spirits.
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Post by lmtengs on Nov 18, 2010 23:29:41 GMT -8
That new wheelhouse looks snazzy! I like it. I guess we shouldn't be surprised if Tachek comes out with one of those in her next refit. Could we expect that reno on the Nimpkish too, with her similar-but-smaller design when she gets her next refit or MLU? I guess it's not worth rebuilding the wheelhouse on Tenaka since her retirement is likely to come earlier than the other T-Class ferries. Great work, work crews, on making our QQII look just like new!
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Post by Curtis on Nov 19, 2010 8:12:02 GMT -8
She's looking great. I approve of the Windows on her new bridge, unlike the Q-Barges/Kuper. Port side, from across the water at Capital Iron: Is it me, or does she look like the Carrier Princess from this Angle?
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Post by Kahloke on Nov 19, 2010 9:18:10 GMT -8
Great progress photos of QQII, Flug!
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