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Post by WettCoast on Dec 6, 2014 23:28:35 GMT -8
I believe they are making sure that she fits in all those docks, where they think Skeena Queen (or a similar new-build) could possibly be used some time in the future. Not the immediate future, but I think this is a long-term planning item that they needed to check-off their list. It helps with their long term planning to know which ships will fit into which docks. With so many docks being rebuilt in recent years, and with the new mantra of "Standardization," it makes sense that they're doing these tests. That way, they will know which ship/route combinations will work, and which ones won't. Have to admit, it does surprise me somewhat that in these days of computer capabilities, BC Ferries still has to physically send a vessel on a tour around the strait to test dock compatibility. Particularly with the new dock structures, you would think they know exactly what the dimensions are down to the centimetre, as well as the ramp and apron properties, and the seabed underneath, at any given tide. They also know the exact profile of a vessel such as the Skeena Queen... and, presumably, how it would fit into the docks.
But maybe not. Maybe little engineering quirks, as well as mother nature, have a way of trumping computer models. Gotta be some reason for the Skeena's sightseeing trip this past week.
I am with you on this Neil. I too find it hard to believe that in this day & age they don't know precisely the dimensions of each berth & each vessel in the system and what fits where, without having to send the vessel on tour. Mankind can predict the date of solar eclipses 1000's of years into the future but BCFS doesn't know if the Skeena Queen will fit in the berth at Westview. I am tempted to believe that they sent the Skeena Queen on a pointless site-seeing tour, and this for a company that is supposed to be reining in all unnecessary expenses. PS: I have written this partially 'in jest', but, you do have to wonder? Coming next week - the Northern Adventure does docking trials in Brentwood Bay? |
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Post by YoursTruly on Mar 22, 2015 19:08:42 GMT -8
Docking trials and to put some hours on her running gear. Kind of an extended sea trial. Not to mention there are still minor variances between every dock until they started minimizing that in way of fleet standardized berths.
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Post by Curtis on Jul 16, 2015 19:50:08 GMT -8
Again tonight, I'm catching up on my Ferry Whistle uploads, here's the Skeena's. (Featuring a cameo by the Queen of Cumberland)
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 20, 2015 17:53:45 GMT -8
Skeena Queen is the last vessel for me to post from my collection of mountaintop pics from my visit to Mt. Maxwell. Evening of July 14:  DSCF1146 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  DSCF1176 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Morning of July 15: - I like how I was able to crop to show the land/water division as a diagonal line.  DSCF1467 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by Curtis on Aug 16, 2015 16:31:25 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 4, 2015 6:14:05 GMT -8
Skeena Queen threads its way between islands near Swartz Bay, while on route to Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island - 30 September 2015  © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr
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Post by Kahloke on Oct 26, 2015 12:28:07 GMT -8
25-Oct-2015: Apparently the end of the rainbow leads you to Skeena Queen   |
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Post by YoursTruly on Oct 26, 2015 12:45:05 GMT -8
Awesome ship man, one of the finest in the fleet. Great photography  It should be interesting having her covering the Cumberland during the Cumberland's midlife, starting mid November. |
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 24, 2015 11:46:32 GMT -8
While the Cumberland is in her mid life upgrade, the Skeena fills in for the busy sailings on Route 5, allowing the Bowen to operate on Route 4 for the few sailings the Skeena isn't available for. In the Afternoons I've been noticing she does a Swartz Bay -> Village Bay -> Swartz Bay, then Swartz Bay -> Otter Bay -> Sturdies Bay -> Swartz Bay, and then heading back home to Fulford Harbour for the night. In the morning she seems to be doing a direct Fulford Harbour -> Sturdies Bay -> Village Bay -> Swartz Bay, and Swartz -> Otter Bay -> Swartz, then back to Fulford for a round trip until crew change around 1:45pm. Here's the Skeena departing Village Bay for Swartz Bay virtually empty after arriving completely full. She was only really visible because of the Mayne Queen's new LED car deck lighting  Skeena Queen departing Village Bay, Mayne Island for Swartz Bay by Chris, on Flickr |
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Post by roeco on Dec 28, 2015 6:19:48 GMT -8
Which other route could Skeena Queen do without being too much capacity for? I know Bowen Island should be good, as well as SGI,Quadra is way overkill as well as Texada. Sure she could do relief on most of these routes...which being overkill isnt really a bid deal if only temporary. I sure couldnt see her doing Jervis Inlet on a reg basis...too small passenger lounge!
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Post by Dane on Feb 22, 2016 22:08:48 GMT -8
Rumours of a snack bar? Tell me more! I love snacks. But seriously, I am curious.
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Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,312
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Post by Neil on Feb 22, 2016 22:41:52 GMT -8
Rumours of a snack bar? Tell me more! I love snacks. But seriously, I am curious. Dane, I think you can be serious, curious, and love snacks... all at the same time. What's the problem?  |
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Post by Mike C on Feb 23, 2016 12:11:07 GMT -8
Rumours of a snack bar? Tell me more! I love snacks. But seriously, I am curious. Dane, I think you can be serious, curious, and love snacks... all at the same time. What's the problem? Every now and again I try to find the original plans for the Century Class on this forum, and every time I give up after like half an hour (admittedly, the search function is not great). Does anyone have these, and if so, any mention of room for a snack bar? I seem to recall there was some space allocated in the original design. |
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Post by Dane on Feb 23, 2016 13:31:46 GMT -8
I don't - but that would make sense given the initial plan was to buy several Century class so there would be done need for amenity provisions on some routes, presumably.
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Post by jwjsamster on Feb 23, 2016 17:49:15 GMT -8
So my parents lived on Bowen Island in the late 90s and they told me that the skeena queen was originally meant for that route and was actually tested on it. They also told me that people hated it so they brought the Queen of Capilano instead. Is this true and if so does anyone have any photos of the SQ on the route?
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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 Feb 23, 2016 18:43:47 GMT -8
Maybe if BC Ferries updated the Skeena it would be more desirable to travel on! I bet it sucks taking that ship on route 5 right now!
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Post by Dane on Feb 23, 2016 20:46:55 GMT -8
So my parents lived on Bowen Island in the late 90s and they told me that the skeena queen was originally meant for that route and was actually tested on it. They also told me that people hated it so they brought the Queen of Capilano instead. Is this true and if so does anyone have any photos of the SQ on the route? Not true for the most part. The Cap was on the route before the Skeena Queen even existed. However, BC Ferries planned to buy several Century Class (the Skeena Queen) ferries, and Bowen Island would get one, putting the Capilano to Route 5 replacing the Mayne Queen. At purchase the Capilano was intended for Earls Cove-Saltery Bay but that did not last long at all. The Century Class to Bowen did not happen as BC Ferries (and the provincial government) where having a terrible financial go, due in part to the fast ferries. Additionally the Skeena Queen had very substantial mechanical issues at launch and for several years after. The lack of finances and unsuccessful start to the Skeena stopped the project from continuing. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2016 22:43:20 GMT -8
Just to reiterate (possibly) what might have already been mentioned... Skeena's MLU and drydocking is scheduled for 2017. Whether that is in the Spring or Fall I do not know. Her last refit was in Spring 2013. The addition of a Snack Bar (hey, you can't go wrong with snacking on the Skeena Queen, Dane) would be good timing for the arrival of the Salish Raven and the probable retirement of the Bowen Queen.
I wonder if we'll see any interesting assignments for the MLU? Or just increased sailings with the Bowen Queen, and on route 6, like it is now?
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Post by Dane on Feb 23, 2016 23:13:08 GMT -8
The Skeena Queen has visited Bowen twice for service, to my knowledge. The first time was a test for Century Class use on the route, with vessel two or three being potentially assigned there. I'm struggling to remember what the second time was, but I do know as much that it was after she had been re-engined. Maybe some others have a bit more knowledge here.
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Post by Mike on Apr 16, 2016 14:08:47 GMT -8
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Post by Kather Anne on May 16, 2016 10:54:08 GMT -8
| | if you know your ships as well as Low Light Mike you'll know which end I was on - I swore him to secrecy to give you others a chance to figure it out |
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 16, 2016 11:38:10 GMT -8
| | if you know your ships as well as Low Light Mike you'll know which end I was on - I swore him to secrecy to give you others a chance to figure it out |
haha, I must be doing a good job at the charade of pretending about knowing about this stuff. |
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Post by Kather Anne on May 16, 2016 16:31:01 GMT -8
Someone will know - someone always knows |
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,080 
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Post by Nick on May 16, 2016 18:09:45 GMT -8
| | if you know your ships as well as Low Light Mike you'll know which end I was on - I swore him to secrecy to give you others a chance to figure it out |
The gong is on the #2 end to serve as a sound signal in reduced visibility. |
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Post by Ferryman on May 16, 2016 21:36:41 GMT -8
To add some more detail to Nick's answer for those who are interested....
All ships Internationally that are 100 meters in length or more must have a bell on the bow and a gong on the stern. The gong must sound different from the bell of course.
Two examples of when the bell and gong must be used:
In restricted visibility (for vessels over 100m in length)
At anchor: rapid ringing of the bell for 5 seconds in the forepart of the vessel, immediately followed by rapid ringing of the gong for 5 seconds in the after part of the vessel. In addition to when a vessel is nearby, the anchored vessel may sound one short blast, one prolonged blast, followed by one short blast (morse letter Romeo) on the ship's whistle.
Aground: three distinct strokes of the bell, followed by rapid ringing of the bell for 5 seconds, followed by three distinct strokes on the bell. Then the same done immediately after on the gong.
Vessels that are 20 to 99.99 meters in length would be equiped with a whistle and a bell. A vessel 12 to 19.99 meters in length is required to only hold a bell, and anything under 12 meters must simply have some sort of sound signalling device
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