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Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 13, 2015 17:55:24 GMT -8
Better late than never...
After an afternoon of meetings in DT Vancouver, I delayed my trip home and did a round trip aboard the Capilano on her first day back from her MLU. May 6, 2015The following images posted by this account are copyright © S.A. ~ Unauthorized use is prohibited. BC Ferries - Queen of Capilano and Bowen Queen at Horseshoe Bay. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Gallery Deck, Queen of Capilano. by Scott, on Flickr Bowen Island Bus aboard the Queen of Capilano. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Sun Deck, Queen of Capilano. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Welcome Back, Queen of Capilano. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Queen of Capilano en route to Horseshoe Bay. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - MCD, Queen of Capilano. by Scott, on Flickr
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 13, 2015 18:45:33 GMT -8
To me, the yellow paint outline on the car-deck is a humanoid waving an arm. He's also wearing a yellow striped necktie.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2015 9:46:07 GMT -8
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 1, 2015 8:02:03 GMT -8
I took a round trip on the Capilano from HSB at 1435 yesterday since I wanted to see the new gallery decks in use. The trip over was lightly loaded so they weren't needed. There was a full load of cars waiting at Snug Cove for the return trip however, which is to be expected on a Sunday afternoon this close to summer. But there were also close to 400 foot passengers including a very large group of tourists that must've numbered at least 300! We ended up departing with only 30 cars on board since we maxed out the passenger license, and an announcement from the bridge was made to explain why so many cars were left behind even though there was so much room left on the car deck.
When we arrived at HSB we used berth 2 and because the Surrey was in dock using the berth 2/3 overhead all footsies disembarked from the car deck. Berth 1 with the overhead was available but it was announced that there were "too many foot passengers" for the overhead to be used and it would be quicker to offload from the car deck. So it's kind of an opposite mentality when compared to the larger ships...usually with heavy foot passenger loads, the use of the overhead is vital, but with route 8's shorter turnaround time it's a different situation.
So I still haven't personally seen the new gallery decks in use. And I'm thinking that if this heavy walk-on traffic happens regularly on summer Sundays it'll play havoc with vehicle lift off capacity from Bowen!
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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 Jun 1, 2015 13:00:30 GMT -8
I think it should of been 50/50 in this case! You leave cars behind then some foot passengers should have to wait too! Maybe they need a foot passenger only ferry! Get more cars on leave some footies behind cars take up more room!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2015 13:11:26 GMT -8
More often than not, footsies take priority over vehicles, as they have no where to go while waiting for the ferry. Drivers can always recline their seats and catch a snooze during a one sailing wait.
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 1, 2015 13:48:25 GMT -8
Perhaps there is an option to add a crew member or two so as to up the allowable number of passengers. Presumably BC Ferries had notice to expect this large group of footies?
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Post by Mike C on Jun 1, 2015 14:28:38 GMT -8
More often than not, footsies take priority over vehicles, as they have no where to go while waiting for the ferry. Drivers can always recline their seats and catch a snooze during a one sailing wait. This is especially the case at Snug Cove. The foot passenger facilities there are probably among the worst in the system... and that includes most of the northern terminals as well.
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Jun 2, 2015 10:01:21 GMT -8
Perhaps there is an option to add a crew member or two so as to up the allowable number of passengers. Presumably BC Ferries had notice to expect this large group of footies? 450 Passengers is already an A license. I don't think adding an additional crew member is an option in this case, because the max license is determined by evacuation capacity, life jackets, muster space etc, and not necessarily on crew count.
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 2, 2015 10:10:52 GMT -8
Perhaps there is an option to add a crew member or two so as to up the allowable number of passengers. Presumably BC Ferries had notice to expect this large group of footies? 450 Passengers is already an A license. I don't think adding an additional crew member is an option in this case, because the max license is determined by evacuation capacity, life jackets, muster space etc, and not necessarily on crew count. That is a good answer, thank you. Do we know if they were on an 'A' license in this case?
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Post by Starsteward on Jun 2, 2015 10:39:08 GMT -8
More often than not, footsies take priority over vehicles, as they have no where to go while waiting for the ferry. Drivers can always recline their seats and catch a snooze during a one sailing wait. This is especially the case at Snug Cove. The foot passenger facilities there are probably among the worst in the system... and that includes most of the northern terminals as well. I agree the Northern Terminals lack covered separated walkways for foot passengers to keep them out of the elements while they trek the long walks down to the car deck levels on the vessels. While the present system doesn't offer the foot traffic passenger amenities as do the southern terminals, there would be a great hue and cry from various sections of the stakeholders, given that BC Ferries has become so fixated on driving down the costs within sections of their operations.
If any of the northern terminals should be targeted for a foot passenger embarkation upgrade, let's start with Prince Rupert. (although I'm sure the good folks of Haida Gwaii could make a good case for the same amenities given they endure some nasty weather conditions year round).
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 3, 2015 17:55:02 GMT -8
450 Passengers is already an A license. I don't think adding an additional crew member is an option in this case, because the max license is determined by evacuation capacity, life jackets, muster space etc, and not necessarily on crew count. That is a good answer, thank you. Do we know if they were on an 'A' license in this case? I believe they were indeed on an A license...the bridge also announced that there were over 400 passengers on board. I believe the maximum passenger capacity on a B license for the Capilano is somewhere in the 300's.
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Post by Dane on Jun 3, 2015 21:13:04 GMT -8
A 445 B 400
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Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 4, 2015 22:07:25 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,196
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Post by Neil on Aug 10, 2015 21:46:26 GMT -8
First of all, I'm wondering how many forum members have actually had dinner on the 'Cap. I think I might be part of a fairly exclusive group. The dining room didn't have a lot of selections left on the 6:20pm back to Horseshoe Bay, so I had an egg, ham, and hash brown wrap... I know, more breakfasty than dinner, but it was actually pretty palatable- much superior to the nuked mcmuffin type abortion I had for breakfast on the Island Sky some time back.
Also can't help wondering, which maybe I've done before, why Bowen gets such service compared to Salt Spring. The 'Capilano now carries the same number of cars as the Skeena Queen, thanks to the multi-million dollar upgrade earlier this year. I believe the crew complement is also similar. Yet Bowenites get a decent snack bar, newspapers, two ATMs, plus snack and beverage machines. Not to mention the quiet, carpeted lounge with upholstered seats. The Skeena has hard plastic seats in very loud car deck lounges, and vending machines. Oh, and the Fulford route is almost twice as long. So what gives? Could it have something to do with Bowen being the only island served by BC Ferries where the average household income is above the provincial average?
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 10, 2015 21:53:47 GMT -8
First of all, I'm wondering how many forum members have actually had dinner on the 'Cap. I think I might be part of a fairly exclusive group. The dining room didn't have a lot of selections left on the 6:20pm back to Horseshoe Bay, so I had an egg, ham, and hash brown wrap... I know, more breakfasty than dinner, but it was actually pretty palatable- much superior to the nuked mcmuffin type abortion I had for breakfast on the Island Sky some time back.
Also can't help wondering, which maybe I've done before, why Bowen gets such service compared to Salt Spring. The 'Capilano now carries the same number of cars as the Skeena Queen, thanks to the multi-million dollar upgrade earlier this year. I believe the crew complement is also similar. Yet Bowenites get a decent snack bar, newspapers, two ATMs, plus snack and beverage machines. Not to mention the quiet, carpeted lounge with upholstered seats. The Skeena has hard plastic seats in very loud car deck lounges, and vending machines. Oh, and the Fulford route is almost twice as long. So what gives? Could it have something to do with Bowen being the only island served by BC Ferries where the average household income is above the provincial average? No it's see rush hour because it's part of Metro Vancouver so people who are heading from or going to Vancouver need snacks and coffee in the Morning on the sailing.
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Mayne
Voyager
I come from a long line of sinners like me
Posts: 289
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Post by Mayne on Aug 10, 2015 22:05:48 GMT -8
First of all, I'm wondering how many forum members have actually had dinner on the 'Cap. I think I might be part of a fairly exclusive group. The dining room didn't have a lot of selections left on the 6:20pm back to Horseshoe Bay, so I had an egg, ham, and hash brown wrap... I know, more breakfasty than dinner, but it was actually pretty palatable- much superior to the nuked mcmuffin type abortion I had for breakfast on the Island Sky some time back.
Also can't help wondering, which maybe I've done before, why Bowen gets such service compared to Salt Spring. The 'Capilano now carries the same number of cars as the Skeena Queen, thanks to the multi-million dollar upgrade earlier this year. I believe the crew complement is also similar. Yet Bowenites get a decent snack bar, newspapers, two ATMs, plus snack and beverage machines. Not to mention the quiet, carpeted lounge with upholstered seats. The Skeena has hard plastic seats in very loud car deck lounges, and vending machines. Oh, and the Fulford route is almost twice as long. So what gives? Could it have something to do with Bowen being the only island served by BC Ferries where the average household income is above the provincial average? No it's see rush hour because it's part of Metro Vancouver so people who are heading from or going to Vancouver need snacks and coffee in the Morning on the sailing. While I disagree with the notion that this is because the people on Bowen being higher then average pay, but more those who cry the loudest get what they want as route 8 was given that exact ship and they lost there minds. And Mr Cheese there's a tremendous amount of people that commute every day to and from Saltspring they just don't complain.
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 10, 2015 22:07:34 GMT -8
First of all, I'm wondering how many forum members have actually had dinner on the 'Cap. I think I might be part of a fairly exclusive group. The dining room didn't have a lot of selections left on the 6:20pm back to Horseshoe Bay, so I had an egg, ham, and hash brown wrap... I know, more breakfasty than dinner, but it was actually pretty palatable- much superior to the nuked mcmuffin type abortion I had for breakfast on the Island Sky some time back.
Also can't help wondering, which maybe I've done before, why Bowen gets such service compared to Salt Spring. The 'Capilano now carries the same number of cars as the Skeena Queen, thanks to the multi-million dollar upgrade earlier this year. I believe the crew complement is also similar. Yet Bowenites get a decent snack bar, newspapers, two ATMs, plus snack and beverage machines. Not to mention the quiet, carpeted lounge with upholstered seats. The Skeena has hard plastic seats in very loud car deck lounges, and vending machines. Oh, and the Fulford route is almost twice as long. So what gives? Could it have something to do with Bowen being the only island served by BC Ferries where the average household income is above the provincial average? Its the closest island (with a ferry) to Whistler?
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Aug 11, 2015 15:06:49 GMT -8
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Post by Curtis on Aug 15, 2015 23:34:02 GMT -8
Here are my takes of the Capilano from late July. This was first time I got a see her Post-MLU look. Warning: Photo Heavy! All Photos are © CS16 Photography and may only be used with Permission from the Owner.Heading over from Snug Cove which can be seen in the background. Queen of Capilano Enroute to Horseshoe Bay. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr Coming into Horseshoe Bay. Queen of Capilano Entering Horseshoe Bay. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr Queen of Capilano Entering Horseshoe Bay. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr Queen of Capilano Entering Horseshoe Bay. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr A few days later I went aboard for a Round Trip. (Was a rather wet day for someone who didn't pack an umbrella : Queen of Capilano Approaching Berth 2, Horseshoe Bay. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr Interesting to note that they didn't use the new foot passenger embarkation area on the Passenger Deck and instead used the one on the Sun Deck. Have any of us seen the passenger deck one in use yet? Cause I get the feeling this is being utilized as much as the dual-lane loading/unloading at Little River is. Deck 5, Sun Deck, Queen of Capilano. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr Now some general shots on Deck 4. (Signs still list it as Deck 3 though. Does that mean the Gallery Decks are Deck 2.5?...) Deck 4, Snack Bar, Queen of Capilano. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr Kind of a shame we didn't get much of an interior upgrade. Was thinking there'd at least be new carpet or something like that... Though I guess she did get her interior coastalized not too long ago. Deck 4, No. 1 End Lounge, Queen of Capilano. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr Checking out the Gallery Deck. While they're much the same as what you'd see on the Island Sky, I feel they blend in nicely with the rest of the vessel. Thankfully they didn't alter the look of the Cap drastically by putting in stairs and pickle fork decks like you'd see on the Sky. Though this makes it challenging for anyone parked on these decks to get up top, but on a 20 minute crossing, I think that can be overlooked. Deck 3, Starboard Gallery Deck, Queen of Capilano. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr A perspective we weren't able to get before the upgrade. Superstructure, Queen of Capilano. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr At the Number 2 End With the Queen of Coquitlam peeking though the car deck tunnel. Deck 2, Car Deck, Queen of Capilano. by Curtis Simonetta, on Flickr Overall, they did a nice job upgrading the Capilano. While the amount of new stuff was kind of anticlimactic, I suppose it could have been worse. That's all for now.
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 7, 2015 18:47:36 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,196
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Post by Neil on Oct 7, 2015 22:03:25 GMT -8
My first look at the Capilano since her big make over of last winter ... This upped auto capacity from 85 to 100. This makeover looks to be a job well done. I agree... BC Ferries got this one right. They've given Bowen pretty much the biggest vessel it can handle without the community coming to an agreement- which seems almost impossible- about a more efficient terminal and vehicle marshalling set up. Food service, newspapers, ATMs... a Cadillac service compared to most other island communities on a short run, but one that's justified by the traffic.
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Post by Curtis on Oct 18, 2015 21:32:34 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 21, 2015 20:46:15 GMT -8
Here is another look at the new & improved Cappie following her big upgrade of last winter/ spring. They are doing a similar upgrade on her sister, the Cumberland, but I gather they will keep the keep the hoistable ramps on her, rather than putting in fixed mezzanine decks as seen here on the Capilano. Changing to fixed mezzanine decks (on the Cumberland) would lower capacity (I think?), but would speed the loading/ unloading times I would think ... Another complicating factor is the multi-port nature of the Cumberland's route.
I have not ID'd the C-class in the next berth. I am fairly sure that some on here can figure out which one it is. Queen of Capilano - now sporting two mezzanine 'upper' car decks - underway from Horseshoe Bay for Bowen Island - 23 September 2015 © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr
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Post by Mike on Oct 21, 2015 21:02:20 GMT -8
I have not ID'd the C-class in the next berth. I am fairly sure that some on here can figure out which one it is. Queen of Oak Bay, I presume?
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