Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Dec 13, 2014 12:01:07 GMT -8
I wonder if BC Ferries plans to do a similar revision to Queen of Cumberland. Cumberland already has hoistable platforms which gives it a capacity of 127 cars, so installing fixed gallery decks would reduce that number by 27 vehicles, but it should significantly decrease loading and unloading times not having to raise and lower those ramps. In the end, that could be worth more than the extra capacity, not to mention eliminating the ongoing costs of maintaining the hoistway for those moveable platforms. I don't think so, at least not in the near future. Cumberland doesn't overload as frequently as the Cappie, and she also carries more commercial traffic and recreational vehicles on a regular basis, so the overheight capacity is needed. Usually when the Cumberland DOES overload, it's a pretty major overload and they use all space available on those platforms.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 4, 2015 19:07:20 GMT -8
A few more views of Q'Capilano from a July 2014 photo session from up above Horseshoe Bay: Lovely vantage point, lovely colours on the bright July morning. We should build a zip-line between this location and the mountain-top across the way.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,196
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Post by Neil on Mar 20, 2015 9:51:43 GMT -8
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 20, 2015 11:34:16 GMT -8
Nice to see some progress. thanks for posting the link.
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Post by Dane on Apr 30, 2015 19:18:53 GMT -8
Nothing too exciting in this article, but the Queen of Capilano was out for sea trails this week. Article: www.timescolonist.com/news/local/upgraded-ferry-on-sea-trials-in-waters-off-greater-victoria-1.1871282Text: Oak Bay Marina Restaurant diners and staff were startled to see the B.C. Ferries’ vessel Queen of Capilano chugging past them toward Ogden Point around 7 p.m. Thursday. No worries. The 314-foot-long ferry was out for a test run following a $12-million refit awarded to the Esquimalt Drydock Co. “It’s what we call a mid-life upgrade,” said Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall. “She’s getting ready to go back into service next week on the Bowen Island run, so they’ll be out there doing trials and whatnot. People will see her in the area as she’s moving back up to Horseshoe Bay over the weekend. She’ll be around Swartz Bay on Sunday. ”The project, due for completion in early May, is the largest single ferry contract so far for the Esquimalt company, which carried out much of the work at the federally owned Esquimalt Graving Dock. The refit is meant to give the 23-year-old Queen of Capilano another 20 years on the water. Among improvements: Installing decks to boost capacity to 100 vehicles from 85, new entrance and exit area for walk-on passengers, a new evacuation system, rescue boat and pet area as well as safety, mechanical and customer service upgrades.
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Post by Dane on May 2, 2015 11:50:46 GMT -8
Out on trials again today West of Esquimalt. I'm at Royal Roads right now and she is right off the beach here.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2015 16:59:05 GMT -8
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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 May 2, 2015 17:33:19 GMT -8
I saw her this morning from the Esquimalt Lagoon! She must be out all day doing sea trials!
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Post by Dane on May 3, 2015 16:50:09 GMT -8
I posted two pictures of the 'Cap post-refit on the WCFF Facebook page today. I gave up posting them here
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Post by paulvanb on May 3, 2015 17:00:01 GMT -8
Vesselfinder.com has her just off the South Arm jetty. With new modifications, it is time to get some new photos of her. Would be cool to do drone shots of her!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2015 18:05:16 GMT -8
Check out the sewell's webcam. Looks like she has multiple flags or something.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 3, 2015 19:26:47 GMT -8
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Post by Dane on May 3, 2015 20:02:56 GMT -8
LOL it was technical failure on my part; I am secretly an 80 year old around computers.
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Post by paulvanb on May 3, 2015 21:25:10 GMT -8
When in doubt, ask the kids! Hope they upgraded her service speed too! She is almost always running late.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on May 4, 2015 13:27:51 GMT -8
Increased capacity should definitely make the Bowen Islanders happy after being stuck with the Bowen Queen for so long.
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Post by WettCoast on May 4, 2015 14:55:38 GMT -8
Have they added direct access from the new gallery car decks to the passenger lounge? Or must you walk down in order to go up?
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Post by Dane on May 4, 2015 18:43:22 GMT -8
I am going to try and ride on Thursday and will report back; I'm a student though so it may depend on my schedule allowing me to get out there. Pictures and a detailed report of changes will follow.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2015 20:11:55 GMT -8
I am going to try and ride on Thursday and will report back; I'm a student though so it may depend on my schedule allowing me to get out there. Pictures and a detailed report of changes will follow. I'll report from the trip on Wednesday.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,196
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Post by Neil on May 5, 2015 10:16:07 GMT -8
The Bowen Island forum reports that there will be some kind of ceremony on the 4:30 sailing from Horseshoe Bay on Wednesday.
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Post by Scott on May 6, 2015 19:13:13 GMT -8
Sounds like she's off to a rough start. No reason so far:
From Twitter,
- John H
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2015 19:59:21 GMT -8
Three photos from today's trip aboard the inaugural return sailing on the Capilano. Three captains were aboard today, one of which who recognized Mike's bag and invited us to the bridge. The new console has "BC Ferries" engraved into it, as well as the seats for the officers. The Captain mentioned he knew Dane, as well. Quite a narrow drive up the ramp above the anchor. Each platform can hold about 10-11 vehicles, minus about five car space lost down below: DSC_1395 by Howe Sound Ferries, on Flickr No access direct from the new Deck 3 to (now) Deck 4: DSC_1400 by Howe Sound Ferries, on Flickr Welcome back banner. They were serving Nanaimo Bars as well as free beverages in the snack bar: DSC_1394 by Howe Sound Ferries, on Flickr
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,196
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Post by Neil on May 12, 2015 10:35:44 GMT -8
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Post by Kahloke on May 12, 2015 11:17:42 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing that. It was quite amusing to read the posts about people not wanting to park on the sloped ramps. I guess Bowen has not had a ferry with gallery decks before, but as one of the bloggers posted, there are ferries in the BC system with similar ramps, like Island Sky, or 4 out of the 5 C-Class vessels, for example. So it's not like this is an entirely new thing. Maybe it is to Bowen Islanders . The new ramps on Capilano look to be be nice and shallow. Imagine their horror if they ever got one of the Issaquah-Class vessels with the obnoxiously steep gallery deck ramps!
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Post by northwesterner on May 12, 2015 11:50:28 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing that. It was quite amusing to read the posts about people not wanting to park on the sloped ramps. I guess Bowen has not had a ferry with gallery decks before, but as one of the bloggers posted, there are ferries in the BC system with similar ramps, like Island Sky, or 4 out of the 5 C-Class vessels, for example. So it's not like this is an entirely new thing. Maybe it is to Bowen Islanders . The new ramps on Capilano look to be be nice and shallow. Imagine their horror if they ever got one of the Issaquah-Class vessels with the obnoxiously steep gallery deck ramps! I read the link to the forum as well. I cannot believe people are afraid of parking their car on a slope. Really? "It's bad for the transmission." Yeah, it is, if you don't use your parking brake. I also liked that the crew has to direct people to park on the downward slope of the ramp at the bow ... some are driving to the top and stopping on the flat. Unreal.
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