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Post by Retrovision on Apr 11, 2007 15:50:03 GMT -8
With all this talk about the north coast and QCI / Haida Gwaii, I thought now would be a good time to quote the article about the Kwuna's recent fairly major refit in the Major Refits area in the BC Shipbuilding & Refit Annual section of the magazine Western Mariner's February 2006 edition Here she is during that major refit:
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 17, 2007 17:51:11 GMT -8
And here's another story on MV Kwuna; this time re her home-port: ============ www.qciobserver.com:80/Article.aspx?Id=2887BC Ferries ponders Kwuna changesBC Ferries is looking at the possibility of moving the Kwuna's home port to Skidegate Landing rather than Alliford Bay. BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said the corporation has thought about moving the home port in the past, and is considering it again because it's having problems finding qualified workers. "If we had better employee accommodation. we might be able to attract more employees," she said. BC Ferries executives are still researching the idea and have not made a decision, Ms Marshall said. But some Sandspit residents don't think moving the Kwuna from Moresby Island is a good idea at all. At last week's Moresby Island Management Committee meeting, Carole Bowler pointed out that Sandspit relies on the Kwuna to respond to emergencies, like taking someone to hospital by ambulance in the middle of the night. If the home port were at Skidegate, the response time would be significantly longer. The Sandspit representatives are also worried that BC Ferries might cut back on the number of sailings once the current Kwuna schedule expires on March 31. Right now the ferry makes its first trip from Alliford Bay at 7 am, making 12 round trips every day until its last sailing from Skidegate Landing at 10:30 pm. The journey between Moresby and Graham Islands takes about 20 minutes. Ms Marshall said no decisions have been made about changing the Kwuna's schedule. However, schedule changes are possible, she said. For example, if the home port changes, the schedule would also have to change. BC Ferries will consult the public and its advisory committee before making any cuts to the schedule, she said. ================
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 4, 2008 18:18:44 GMT -8
Kwuna news.....the RAD problem strikes... ========================= www.qciobserver.com/Article.aspx?Id=3051Kwuna sailings cancelled Friday evening BC Ferries is cancelling tonight's Kwuna sailings after 6:30 pm so the crew can make repairs to part of its propulsion system. The Kwuna started experiencing problems with one of its right angle drives on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 3). said BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall. As a result, five sailings were cancelled between 4:30 and 10 pm and one sailing was delayed. The Kwuna made one sailing from Alliford Bay at 6:25 pm, she said, carrying 44 passengers and a full load of vehicles, including a bus. Some vehicles and passengers may have been left behind on Moresby Island. The ferry is now using a tugboat to help it dock, but it will be stopping service at 6:30 pm today (Jan. 4) so repairs can be made. "It's a big job and it takes a chunk of time to do it," Ms Marshall said. The Kwuna carries vehicles and passengers between Graham and Moresby Islands, a 20-minute sailing. Ms Marshall said if all goes as expected, it should be back on schedule by Saturday (Jan. 5).
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Post by Coastal Canuck on Feb 4, 2008 15:34:08 GMT -8
When the Kwuna does come down south for a refit how will BC Ferries get her down with all the open water between Skitgate and here
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Post by Scott on Feb 4, 2008 16:29:24 GMT -8
Does she come down south for refits? I thought it was usually done in Prince Rupert. That being said, there's still some open water but I guess they just wait for a calm day.
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 4, 2008 17:01:02 GMT -8
You can cross Hecate Strait in a 16' Zodiak if you wait for the right weather.
The last Kwuna refit was done in the Lower Mainland.
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Post by hergfest on Feb 4, 2008 20:24:43 GMT -8
They towed her to Deas, if I remember right.
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Post by Nickfro on Feb 26, 2008 19:05:32 GMT -8
Another curiosity question since I have never seen the Kwuna in person nor been up to the Charlottes:
When the Kwuna does get removed from service for any particular servicing, what is done on the route as a replacement? Do they have any replacement vehicle service such as a barge service, or does it become passenger only, aka water taxi? I'm really curious about that major refit period more than smaller refit periods, but both can be answered. (probably same answer for both)
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 26, 2008 20:48:23 GMT -8
I understand that they have put a tug & barge service on in place of the Kwuna. I don't think there is another vessel in the BCF's fleet that could sub for the Kwuna without being fitted up with ramps like those on her.
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Feb 26, 2008 21:35:34 GMT -8
I asked my supervisor this last summer. He said that they normally hire a tug and barge service, since it is a) too costly to send another ship up there to substitute and b) there isn't a boat available that can do the run without extensive modifications.
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Post by Ferryman on Feb 26, 2008 22:03:04 GMT -8
Maybe I'm wrong, but doesn't the Nimpkish have some sort of ramps attached to her bow and stern as she does the Mid Coast Sailings? I don't know if that would make her qualify as being the only replacement though.
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Post by Nick on Feb 26, 2008 22:06:01 GMT -8
Yeah, the Nimpkish does have ramps, but they're not big enough to work on the "boat ramps" the Kwuna calls a berth. If it had to be done, I think the Nimpkish would be the one that would be the replacement, since it would need the least amount of work.
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 8, 2007 18:45:32 GMT -8
I did a trip on the Kwuna today - Skidegate to Alliford Bay & return. While over on Moresby Island we (my wife, son & I) walked along nearby beaches looking for fossils and taking pictures of the Kwuna's comings and goings. The photo below is of the Kwuna arriving for the 5:30 pm return trip across to Skidegate. The locals tell me the ferry's name is prononced "Koona". The 'w' in Kwuna is silent.
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 8, 2007 19:38:13 GMT -8
More Kwuna pictures... Kwuna car deck with just one car. Passenger lounge - like other short runs most drive on passengers remain in their cars. Kwuna approaching Skidegate Terminal
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 8, 2007 21:30:56 GMT -8
More Kwuna pics... Tied up during aftn crew change period at Alliford Bay, Moresby Is. Kwuna deck showing rescue boat and passenger cabin @ Skidegate Terminal - April 2007
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 9, 2007 21:19:25 GMT -8
Due to the delays with the NorAd, we spent the day today traveling from Queen Charlotte 'City' to Gray Bay on Moresby Island. That meant another round trip on the Kwuna. Here are some pics from today... Eagles on rocks in Queen Charlotte City Harbour 16 vehicles and one boat - the Kwuna with an almost full car deck. There was space for another three vehicles. Gray Bay, south of Sandspit, on the east coast (Hecate St. side) of Moresby Island Kwuna nearing Alliford Bay Front row seat from our car window as the Kwuna comes in for a landing at Skidegate Terminal on Graham Island.
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Post by Neil on Apr 10, 2007 12:28:58 GMT -8
To complement Wet Coast Kid's fine Kwuna shots, here's a couple of somewhat fuzzier shots of her almost thirty years ago. (at Alliford Bay?) I imagine those logging scars on the far shore have filled in by now.
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Post by Fenklebaum on Apr 10, 2007 13:11:04 GMT -8
Jeezum Crow! Checking this thread is better than watching a movie, in terms of eye candy!
Fenk, making popcorn
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Post by Curtis on Apr 10, 2007 15:29:45 GMT -8
Now that's what I call a great classic photo. The Kwuna hasn't changed much since those days. I sometimes think She looks bigger then she really is.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 9, 2010 16:30:18 GMT -8
Kwuna, at Nanaimo Shipyard on January 9, 2010, at the end of her refit. ========================== - I took photos from the shipyard viewing platform on Stewart Avenue, and from the floats of the Mobey Dick marina. - The ship was moored at the end of the Shipyard wharf, and the workers were still doing finishing work. As she sat in the water, the shipyard was installing the end-pieces for both of the loading ramps. They did this using a crane that was on a barge. I'm guessing that they couldn't have done this while she was on the ways, because of some sort of logistics. View of the empty ways: Pano-stitch of the scene: ============== Here are some shots of the work being done to install the end-pieces on the ramps: - Here is what they are installing: - first at one end - and then later working on the other end Close-up of the ramp with the end-piece almost attached. ----------------- Some close-ups of various parts of the ship. (I couldn't get a good clear shot of the entire rescue boat, sorry). - the cleanest that she'll ever look. (the following shots are before the end-piece was installed on the ramp) - nice corner view - are the housings around the stacks a new thing? Walkways up to the bridge.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jan 9, 2010 16:51:34 GMT -8
are the housings around the stacks a new thing? No, the housings are not new. Those ramps are, though. Thanks for getting those photos, Mike!
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Post by Curtis on Jan 9, 2010 17:35:36 GMT -8
Thanks for the Update, Flugel! Anyone have any idea if the ramps are just being replaced or will they allow her to use the main berth (The NorAd/NorEx berth) at Skidegate?
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Post by lmtengs on Jan 10, 2010 8:36:11 GMT -8
Thanks for the Update, Flugel! Anyone have any idea if the ramps are just being replaced or will they allow her to use the main berth (The NorAd/NorEx berth) at Skidegate? I think she always had the ramps. Wouldn't her car-deck be too low to even be close to reaching the main berth's ramps??
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jan 13, 2010 18:27:18 GMT -8
Kwuna earlier this afternoon.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 23, 2010 16:57:38 GMT -8
I spent 6 days at Haida Gwaii, in early July. I had lots of opportunities to see MV Kwuna during that time, including a trip aboard her to Sandspit. I could even see her crossing Skidegate Inlet from my accommodation in the Village of Queen Charlotte. Here are my photos: =============================== Kwuna Point is on Moresby Island, close to Alliford Bay. There is also a Kwuna Rd here. Presumably this was the basis for the name of this ferry: Here is Kwuna arriving at Alliford Bay on Moresby Island: From the on-board vantage point, here we are arriving at Alliford Bay. Next to Alliford Bay landing is a base for DeHavilland Twin-Otters. Zoom view from Graham Island to the Kwuna leaving Moresby Island.
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