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Post by arrrrmatey on Mar 3, 2022 7:46:14 GMT -8
I’m guessing this is not economically practical due to their age, but I’d be interested in seeing 2 of the 3 Bowen/Mayne/PRQ refurbished to provide 2-boat service on Earls Cove - Saltery bay. It would result in a slight capacity increase over the Malaspina Sky along with schedule flexibility.
The Malaspina Sky could then be redeployed as the #2 on route 3 (at least in the off- and shoulder-seasons, but could probably serve in the summer as well on a full day schedule). We’ve seen in the past that she can more or less keep up with the schedule, since using the second berth is a bit shorter distance and can offset her slower speed a bit.
Thoughts?
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Mar 3, 2022 14:07:48 GMT -8
I’m guessing this is not economically practical due to their age, but I’d be interested in seeing 2 of the 3 Bowen/Mayne/PRQ refurbished to provide 2-boat service on Earls Cove - Saltery bay. It would result in a slight capacity increase over the Malaspina Sky along with schedule flexibility. The Malaspina Sky could then be redeployed as the #2 on route 3 (at least in the off- and shoulder-seasons, but could probably serve in the summer as well on a full day schedule). We’ve seen in the past that she can more or less keep up with the schedule, since using the second berth is a bit shorter distance and can offset her slower speed a bit. Thoughts? They're 57 years old. The Z drives are obsolete. Ships don't have infinite lives, let them go. The plan for route 3 is a second large vessel once the new double enders are in service (C class replacements).
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alex912
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 22
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Post by alex912 on Mar 3, 2022 16:29:16 GMT -8
I’m guessing this is not economically practical due to their age, but I’d be interested in seeing 2 of the 3 Bowen/Mayne/PRQ refurbished to provide 2-boat service on Earls Cove - Saltery bay. It would result in a slight capacity increase over the Malaspina Sky along with schedule flexibility. The Malaspina Sky could then be redeployed as the #2 on route 3 (at least in the off- and shoulder-seasons, but could probably serve in the summer as well on a full day schedule). We’ve seen in the past that she can more or less keep up with the schedule, since using the second berth is a bit shorter distance and can offset her slower speed a bit. Thoughts? I would’ve liked to see them provide two ship service on Route 4 during peak season. It could reduce overloads for that route as well as route 6
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 24, 2022 17:31:40 GMT -8
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Post by Ollie on Mar 27, 2022 8:28:11 GMT -8
Why is Bowen Queen at village bay? Will it come to Sturdies bay?
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Post by Ollie on Mar 27, 2022 8:37:36 GMT -8
Now it is going to Saturna???
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Mar 27, 2022 9:02:46 GMT -8
Now it is going to Saturna??? Apparently replacing the Mayne Queen right now.
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Post by Dane on Mar 27, 2022 11:24:54 GMT -8
Anyone know if the Mayne it out all day? I could make a sailing today if that's the case, and would love to get on the Bowen one last time
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Post by Ollie on Mar 27, 2022 11:48:13 GMT -8
If the Bowen Queen is replacing the Mayne Queen today, does Mayne Queen it normal route come to Sturdies bay on Sunday? Or is it only Village Bay?
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Post by Dane on Mar 27, 2022 12:08:12 GMT -8
So Bowen Queen is at Swartz Bay. The Mayne Queen is listed as doing the 220pm sailing - and BC Ferries Twitter says the Mayne's cancellation was because of crewing issues, which presumably aren't resolved by the Bowen unless it's staffed from Salt Spring? I'm not sure what to make of it all.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 27, 2022 12:56:22 GMT -8
According to the Fulford Ferry Cam she’s sitting at Fulford right now. She was out earlier doing what I don’t know. She was suppose to do a round trip for the Skeena today but never did. Not sure the reason for that.
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Post by Dane on Mar 27, 2022 13:26:06 GMT -8
Huh. Weird day, oh well guess a last sailing wasn't in the cards
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Post by explorer on Mar 27, 2022 14:00:18 GMT -8
The Bowen Queen is currently used as a spare, when does her operating certificate expire?
Once the Mayne Queen is replaced in May, will she become the new spare tied up at Fulford?
Thx...
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Post by Scott on Mar 27, 2022 15:09:04 GMT -8
I drove down to Swartz Bay from Nanaimo early this morning for her final sailing. Needless to say it wasn't to be... Fair winds and following seas, Bowen Queen.Attachments:
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Mar 27, 2022 16:55:52 GMT -8
I drove down to Swartz Bay from Nanaimo early this morning for her final sailing. Needless to say it wasn't to be... Fair winds and following seas, Bowen Queen.What was the story there, Scott? It looked like the Bowen was doing some stops after the Mayne cancelled her first run... was this the Bowen Queen's last day in service?
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Post by Scott on Mar 27, 2022 17:27:31 GMT -8
I drove down to Swartz Bay from Nanaimo early this morning for her final sailing. Needless to say it wasn't to be... Fair winds and following seas, Bowen Queen.What was the story there, Scott? It looked like the Bowen was doing some stops after the Mayne cancelled her first run... was this the Bowen Queen's last day in service? The Mayne cancelled her morning run as they were down a crew member. Once the Bowen was operational, it departed Fulford Harbour and deadheaded to Village Bay to sail the Mayne's scheduled 0850 to Lyall Harbour and 0940 back to Village Bay. After dropping off that traffic for transfer later to the Cumberland, the Bowen deadheaded back to Fulford Harbour and called it a career. From everything I've heard, yes, today was her last day in service. She will move to Deas shortly.
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Post by Ollie on Mar 27, 2022 17:39:19 GMT -8
Will Bowen Queen visit deas dock today? If it doesn't visit deas dock today, will it visit at night? I want to photograph it.
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Post by Mike on Mar 27, 2022 20:43:28 GMT -8
Since today was a bust, here's one from the archives. Bowen Queen in Howe Sound, headed for her namesake island . May 6, 2015. M/V Bowen Queen - Howe Sound by Michael, on Flickr
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Post by Ollie on Mar 28, 2022 13:00:56 GMT -8
Does anyone here know when the Bowen Queen will leave Fulford Harbour to visit deas dock?
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Post by explorer on Mar 28, 2022 14:15:40 GMT -8
For those who have served on the Bowen Queen over the years, I'm sure there's a ton of fond memories with other Crewmen as you say goodbye to an olde friend.
The deck when loading Dump Trucks thru the center gap last Summer on Route 6 was always lumpy and a tight fit. One of most fun trips was up front in the center when it did the Non-Stops from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour. Late afternoon on a Beautiful Summer Day having a refreshment and enjoying life. Awesome! The Agent who ran the Snack Bar every Summer was a riot.
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Post by Scott on Mar 28, 2022 14:52:24 GMT -8
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Post by Ollie on Mar 28, 2022 15:22:14 GMT -8
Bowen Queen has been removed from the fleet page on the BC Ferries website.
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Post by Ollie on Mar 28, 2022 15:37:42 GMT -8
It looks like Deas Dock is full, maybe that is the reason Bowen Queen has not visited yet?
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Post by paulvanb on Mar 28, 2022 16:32:20 GMT -8
The end of an era.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Mar 28, 2022 17:18:25 GMT -8
For those who have served on the Bowen Queen over the years, I'm sure there's a ton of fond memories with other Crewmen as you say goodbye to an olde friend. The deck when loading Dump Trucks thru the center gap last Summer on Route 6 was always lumpy and a tight fit. One of most fun trips was up front in the center when it did the Non-Stops from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour. Late afternoon on a Beautiful Summer Day having a refreshment and enjoying life. Awesome! The Agent who ran the Snack Bar every Summer was a riot. You might be referring to the same woman I was talking to a few summers back. Her usual gig was on the Queen of Alberni, but she said she loved her summers on the Bowen Queen. It was almost like a holiday for her. I've written elsewhere about how magical the Bowen Queen seemed to me in 1965 when I was nine years old. My last trip to the Gulf Islands on her, out of the last old wooden berth at Tsawwassen on a beautiful summer day, was a great way to say goodbye. A really sad day for ferry fans, and maybe even to a lot of residents on Bowen and Saltspring. At Snug Cove and Fulford, the Bowen Queen represented a real step up from their previous vessel. After Saltspring, she really got around as the vagabond of the fleet. 57 years of fine service. We'll miss her.
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