Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,150
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Post by Neil on Apr 14, 2019 20:01:53 GMT -8
Do we have a retirement date for the HSQ? One source- not official- said Quinitsa was going to Vesuvius by summer. HSQ's TC cert expires end of October, if that's any clue.
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Post by Dane on Apr 14, 2019 20:38:41 GMT -8
Makes sense, it was your post about the current K / Q boat shuffle and its effect on Horby that got me curious.
Perhaps the return of the Klitsa will be the beginning of the last days for the Hound?
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Post by princessofvanfan on Apr 14, 2019 22:31:33 GMT -8
Not really going to miss her - worst passenger lounge in the fleet. She's been around a long time, though. I remember when she was on HSB-Bowen Island.
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Mayne
Voyager
I come from a long line of sinners like me
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Post by Mayne on Apr 17, 2019 21:12:38 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Apr 18, 2019 10:01:31 GMT -8
Good grief. It's official then; this summer, Vesuvius gets an even smaller vessel than they've had for years, and Hornby is stuck with Kahloke. Very bad news. Unless, of course, BC Ferries moves the Bowen Queen to Vesuvius... but we don't know if she might be already assigned elsewhere.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 18, 2019 10:54:48 GMT -8
Good grief. It's official then; this summer, Vesuvius gets an even smaller vessel than they've had for years, and Hornby is stuck with Kahloke. Very bad news. Unless, of course, BC Ferries moves the Bowen Queen to Vesuvius... but we don't know if she might be already assigned elsewhere. Would it not be worthwhile hanging onto the 'HSQ' until we take delivery of at least one or two of the new "Island-Class" vessels? Does BCFS have enough vessels to fill in should the fleet need a temporary replacement? Just wondering.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,150
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Post by Neil on Apr 18, 2019 11:30:18 GMT -8
Good grief. It's official then; this summer, Vesuvius gets an even smaller vessel than they've had for years, and Hornby is stuck with Kahloke. Very bad news. Unless, of course, BC Ferries moves the Bowen Queen to Vesuvius... but we don't know if she might be already assigned elsewhere. Would it not be worthwhile hanging onto the 'HSQ' until we take delivery of at least one or two of the new "Island-Class" vessels? Does BCFS have enough vessels to fill in should the fleet need a temporary replacement? Just wondering. Her TC cert. expires end of October. Perhaps there would be considerable expense getting it renewed for the relatively short time they would need her.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 18, 2019 18:59:58 GMT -8
Will there be an Island Class vessels be delivered on time for her retirement?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 18, 2019 19:14:57 GMT -8
Will there be an Island Class vessels be delivered on time for her retirement? A good question, that is very welcome here: No, but it's a strange shuffle. Here is the plan: Quinitsa goes to the Crofton - Vesuvius Route. (Howe Sound Queen leaves that route and is retired) Island-Class ship goes to Port McNeill - Alert Bay - Sointula Route. (Quadra Queen II leaves that route and becomes a relief ship) Island-Class ship goes to Texada Island Route. (North Island Princess leaves that route and is retired)
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 18, 2019 19:44:59 GMT -8
Will there be an Island Class vessels be delivered on time for her retirement? A good question, that is very welcome here: No, but it's a strange shuffle. Here is the plan: Quinitsa goes to the Crofton - Vesuvius Route. (Howe Sound Queen leaves that route and is retired) Island-Class ship goes to Port McNeill - Alert Bay - Sointula Route. (Quadra Queen II leaves that route and becomes a relief ship) Island-Class ship goes to Texada Island Route. (North Island Princess leaves that route and is retired) Will Bowen Queen be enough for minor routes? I am asking because Bowen Queen would be big of vessel for some of minor routes.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 18, 2019 19:55:45 GMT -8
Will Bowen Queen be enough for minor routes? I am asking because Bowen Queen would be big of vessel for some of minor routes. Eventually one of the later Island Class (more are to be built) will be able to be a refit ship during the non-summer season, on various small routes.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 18, 2019 20:02:12 GMT -8
Will Bowen Queen be enough for minor routes? I am asking because Bowen Queen would be big of vessel for some of minor routes. Eventually one of the later Island Class (more are to be built) will be able to be a refit ship during the non-summer season, on various small routes. I assume that would be chase because Quinsam would probably be shift be permanent replacement for Howe Sound Queen. But until other four Island Class vessels are delivered, the Bowen Queen will be the one to replace minor vessel?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 18, 2019 20:07:35 GMT -8
I assume that would be chase because Quinsam would probably be shift be permanent replacement for Howe Sound Queen. But until other four Island Class vessels are delivered, the Bowen Queen will be the one to replace minor vessel? Yes, Quinsam will be headed to Crofton-Vesuvius as the permanent ship, once the Gabriola pair of Island Class ships are in-service. I think that Bowen Queen will still be the refit relief until then.
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Post by Alberni on Apr 18, 2019 23:23:41 GMT -8
CTV Vancouver News at 11:30 mentioned the HSQ is up for sale. Working BC Ferries vessel listed for price of a used carCTV News Vancouver Published Thursday, April 18, 2019 4:12PM PDT It's not as fancy as the Coastal Inspiration, but the price tag is hard to beat. Another BC Ferries vessel has been put up for auction, and the high bid for the Howe Sound Queen was just $10,751 as of Thursday afternoon – cheaper than a lot of used cars. The 55-year-old Bureau Veritas model ferry isn't in bad shape, either. In fact, it's still making dozens of round-trip sailings per week. According to the auction listing on the GovDeals website, the vessel is expected to remain in service until June, at which point it will be "kept warm and in operational state" until it can change hands. The 74-metre-long ferry was built in Quebec in 1964, weighs 921 tonnes, and has room for 300 people and 52 cars. What it doesn't have is a lot of bells and whistles. While it was originally called the Napoleon L., it earned the nickname "Hound" for its "lack of amenities and poor handling of heavy seas," according to a profile on the West Coast Ferries website. It does work, though. BC Ferries spent $3 million on a major retrofit in the late-2000s, and the 1,609 horsepower ferry can still make 9.75 knots. The auction ends at 2 p.m. on April 30, meaning potential buyers have less than two weeks go make an offer. The listing notes that non-Canadian buyers will be responsible for transporting the Howe Sound Queen out of the country. "Please be aware that the seller cannot provide exporting or importing procedure assistance," it reads. "Any reputable freight forwarded can provide valuable assistance." Two years ago, BC Ferries managed to auction off its much-larger Queen of Burnaby for a reported sale price of just over $650,000. By comparison, the vessel was about the same age as the Howe Sound Queen but could hold more than twice as many passengers and nearly four times as many vehicles.
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Post by articulated on Apr 19, 2019 5:43:49 GMT -8
A good question, that is very welcome here: No, but it's a strange shuffle. Here is the plan: Quinitsa goes to the Crofton - Vesuvius Route. (Howe Sound Queen leaves that route and is retired) Island-Class ship goes to Port McNeill - Alert Bay - Sointula Route. (Quadra Queen II leaves that route and becomes a relief ship) Island-Class ship goes to Texada Island Route. (North Island Princess leaves that route and is retired) Will Bowen Queen be enough for minor routes? I am asking because Bowen Queen would be big of vessel for some of minor routes. Bowen Queen has already been acting as the primary minor relief ship for a number of years, ever since Tenaka retired. In the short term, Bowen Queen can continue to do a 1:1 replacement for Quinsam, Mayne Queen, and Skeena Queen, or go onto route 25 and free up Quadra Queen II for relief duties (as is normally done when QQII, Tachek, and NIP go for refit). I imagine that Bowen Queen can also go back to route 25 for refits/warranty fixes when the first two Island Class arrive. It looks like most of the K-barges are getting their refits this off-season, so once Klitsa returns, Quinitsa will not be needed for refits for a couple of years. By that time, as Low Light Mike stated, there will be more Island Class vessels delivered, Quinsam can shift over to route 6, and Quinitsa can return to being the refit ship for the K-barges. I do find it odd that BC Ferries wants to retire HSQ as soon as early June, and go with one fewer spare vessel during the summer. But since Quinitsa will be done her refit duties by the end of May with the return of Klitsa, I guess they want her to go to regular service as soon as possible. On an entirely selfish note, I'll be visiting BC during mid-June and was hoping to photo and ride HSQ; looks like I may be one week too late.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 19, 2019 7:39:10 GMT -8
One of the Hornby Island facebook groups is already mentioning that the HSQ should be purchased by Hornby Island, so that they can opt-out of BC Ferries.
...that's why I love community Facebook groups.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 19, 2019 12:30:54 GMT -8
One of the Hornby Island facebook groups is already mentioning that the HSQ should be purchased by Hornby Island, so that they can opt-out of BC Ferries. ...that's why I love community Facebook groups. BCFS might just be glad to get rid of that route and all those crabby complainers. One wouldn't go so far as thinking BCFS might toss in the docks at either end as well. kind of a good will (riddance) gesture. Oh dear, I fear I'm over limit on the java gulping this afternoon.
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Mill Bay
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Long Suffering Bosun
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 19, 2019 16:47:57 GMT -8
The auction ends at 2 p.m. on April 30, meaning potential buyers have less than two weeks go make an offer. The listing notes that non-Canadian buyers will be responsible for transporting the Howe Sound Queen out of the country.
So no real time for farewell trips. The last time I was on board was when Snug Cove was her regular run .
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,150
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Post by Neil on Apr 19, 2019 17:23:56 GMT -8
The auction ends at 2 p.m. on April 30, meaning potential buyers have less than two weeks go make an offer. The listing notes that non-Canadian buyers will be responsible for transporting the Howe Sound Queen out of the country.
So no real time for farewell trips. The last time I was on board was when Snug Cove was her regular run . Welcome back, Ernie. You're still suffering? Did I see you a year or two ago when I was watching the comings and goings of the ferries at Granville Island? One of the captains looked like you.
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Post by Scott on Apr 30, 2019 21:58:07 GMT -8
...and the auction concluded this afternoon.
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Post by paulvanb on May 1, 2019 7:23:45 GMT -8
...and the auction concluded this afternoon. Ok, which member of the forum bought her???
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 1, 2019 7:45:01 GMT -8
...and the auction concluded this afternoon. Ok, which member of the forum bought her??? haha, we're all too smart for that. I wonder which ship will leave Deas first: the "sold" Burnaby or the Howe Sound Queen. - Maybe they will both still be there in 5 years.
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Post by futureferrydriver on May 29, 2019 11:03:06 GMT -8
BC Ferries has posted a service notice regarding the HSQ's official retirement next Tuesday: Howe Sound Queen RetirementThey do mention the fact that the replacing Quinitsa is a "smaller" ship AEQ wise, but make an attempt to justify this with the increased weight capacity of the Quinitsa. I can't imagine that will beneficial helpful on a Sunday afternoon leaving Vesuvius, but perhaps this will at least be an improvement for travellers on weekdays when there is more commercial traffic.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 29, 2019 12:01:01 GMT -8
I can't imagine that will beneficial helpful on a Sunday afternoon leaving Vesuvius, but perhaps this will at least be an improvement for travellers on weekdays when there is more commercial traffic. It's a huge difference for weekday traffic, especially in the morning for traffic going to Vesuvius.
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Post by Blisswood on Jun 4, 2019 17:17:19 GMT -8
And so ends another era: Howe Sound Queen has finished her BC Ferries career. Did anyone get aboard during her last few days? My only ride was about 8 years ago - a round-trip from VB to C and back.
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