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Post by Scott on Apr 24, 2008 18:28:10 GMT -8
She just won't die, will she? Either that or BC Ferries figures they can get more ferry geek money by having her sail more "last trips"..
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Post by Nickfro on May 1, 2008 12:58:29 GMT -8
The Esquimalt is on the move again!! It's currently out in the middle of Georgia Strait running at 9 knots and north of the Route 2 path. I'm thinking of three options: 1. Something's seriously wrong mechanically with the Coquitlam today and needs a temporary replacement (doubtful) 2. Repositioning to Departure Bay in anticipation for MD sailings on Route 2 3. A casual cruise to see if she can still run (hah!) What do others think?
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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 1, 2008 15:09:07 GMT -8
4:15pm and it looks like the Esquimalt is docked at Departure Bay berth 3. Well we know she is still alive!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,187
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Post by Neil on May 1, 2008 15:43:54 GMT -8
I think BC Ferries knows that it can continue to get tons of money out of ferry fans taking 'last trips' on soon to be retired ships. It's like Cher; there's always another retirement tour. Just wait- before you know it, it'll be 2011, and people will be planning the final final final final forum excursion on the Queen of Tsawwassen, over to Powell River. And the Island Sky will be nearing completion.
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Post by Dane on May 1, 2008 16:02:34 GMT -8
Just wait- before you know it, it'll be 2011, and people will be planning the final final final final forum excursion on the Queen of Tsawwassen, over to Powell River. And the Island Sky will be nearing completion. LOL so true, they should also market the first weekday sailing on the Coastal Inspiration, the first weekend sailing on the Coastal Inspiration, the first Holiday sailing on the Coastal Inspiration, and of course the first "traffic delays" sailing on the Coastal Inspiration. That would be inspiring.
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Post by Ferryman on May 1, 2008 17:45:07 GMT -8
This makes me happy, to see the Esquimalt pulled out of Langdale.
I'm almost certain she might pull an MD sailing tomorrow or Sunday. The Oak Bay doesn't get back until May 5th, so perhaps BC Ferries predicting overloads this weekend. Maybe we'll see her running over the May long weekend as well.
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Post by ferryfanyvr on May 1, 2008 20:27:57 GMT -8
Just spoke to a friend of mine who works on the Renaissance...the Esquimalt will be doing MD salings on route #2 this Friday and Sunday
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Post by hwy19man on May 1, 2008 23:30:49 GMT -8
Just wait- before you know it, it'll be 2011, and people will be planning the final final final final forum excursion on the Queen of Tsawwassen, over to Powell River. And the Island Sky will be nearing completion. LOL so true, they should also market the first weekday sailing on the Coastal Inspiration, the first weekend sailing on the Coastal Inspiration, the first Holiday sailing on the Coastal Inspiration, and of course the first "traffic delays" sailing on the Coastal Inspiration. That would be inspiring. Seems like BCFerries is desperate to increase its revenue. Maybe they should rename the vessel "Coastal Desperation" ;D
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Post by Curtis on May 2, 2008 6:59:16 GMT -8
Hmmm...I wonder How long it's going to be until somebody Suggests Getting Aboard the Esquimalt on one of these Extra Sailings?...
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on May 2, 2008 8:19:23 GMT -8
We've already chatted about it on msn
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Post by Hardy on May 2, 2008 11:43:01 GMT -8
Just spoke to a friend of mine who works on the Renaissance...the Esquimalt will be doing MD salings on route #2 this Friday and Sunday Your friend had it right -- according to CurCon, Esquimalt is due to do a 1340 sailing on Rte-2 from Departure Bay ... that's the only place that she is listed so far in CurCon, but if traffic at HSB is heavy, I could see a return MD sailing as well ...
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Post by Nickfro on May 2, 2008 12:57:47 GMT -8
There's no doubt about it. She's probably crossing over to the mainland at no more than 50% vehicle capacity. With the 3pm full and the 5pm already over half full, the intention is definitely to help ease the pain at the Horseshoe Bay end.
What a difference. . .Coastal Renaissance vs Queen of Esquimalt on the same route! ;D
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on May 2, 2008 13:22:28 GMT -8
The ol' Esquimalt is scheduled to depart HSB at 1555...damn, I wish I was there!
I just called DepBay and they said they might have the Esquimalt doing a couple sailings on Sunday afternoon, if needed.
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Post by WettCoast on May 2, 2008 18:01:04 GMT -8
What a difference. . .Coastal Renaissance vs Queen of Esquimalt on the same route! ;D Statring in June you will be able to experience such a difference every day on route 30 - the Alberni & the Inspiration. For my money I think I would rather ride on the Esquimalt than the Alberni.
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Post by Ferryman on May 2, 2008 18:01:20 GMT -8
I wish we knew for sure what sailings she would do on Sunday. I wouldn't mind trying to do a sailing or two on her again. On another note, her sailing from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay took 2 hours and 20 minutes , according to CurCon. With that type of sailing time, she must have been going like 12-14 knots. It would have taken longer going back to Departure Bay, as she would have had to do the turn around at Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay. PS: Any chance a Nanaimo forum member could get some photos of the Esquimalt sitting beside both Coastals? I'd go out there and get one myself, but it would sure be some expensive photos.
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Post by Hardy on May 2, 2008 21:23:16 GMT -8
I find that crossing time to be quite high, and even with congestion outside of Horseshoe Bay, it would seem that she must have been running at reduced power due to some kind of a mechanical issue -- did they replace one of her engines with an extra-large hamster wheel that the pax have to run around in or something?? I'd be interested to know if that was the actual depart/arrive times, or if CurCon is buggered, or what the deal is with the Esquimalt?! If she is reduced to doing 12-14 kts service speed, then she is severely handicapped on ANY run that she needs to fill in on!
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Post by Dane on May 3, 2008 11:29:29 GMT -8
I find that crossing time to be quite high, and even with congestion outside of Horseshoe Bay, it would seem that she must have been running at reduced power due to some kind of a mechanical issue -- did they replace one of her engines with an extra-large hamster wheel that the pax have to run around in or something?? I'd be interested to know if that was the actual depart/arrive times, or if CurCon is buggered, or what the deal is with the Esquimalt?! If she is reduced to doing 12-14 kts service speed, then she is severely handicapped on ANY run that she needs to fill in on! Will report later, short on time but I was on the return trip (HSB-DB). Walked on at 408pm, walked off at 650pm. 10 minutes of that delay was traffic in Horseshoe Bay.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 5, 2008 10:05:42 GMT -8
A colleague of mine took the 6:00pm Route-2 Queen of Esquimalt sailing on May 4th.
He said that the captain announced that the ship had earlier been taken out of service, and was then put back into service for that weekend.
My colleague also said that the magazines in the newstand were all from March 08.....not current.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,187
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Post by Neil on May 5, 2008 16:30:12 GMT -8
A colleague of mine took the 6:00pm Route-2 Queen of Esquimalt sailing on May 4th. He said that the captain announced that the ship had earlier been taken out of service, and was then put back into service for that weekend. My colleague also said that the magazines in the newstand were all from March 08.....not current. The hashbrowns in the cafeteria were probably two months old, too, and probably seemed quite normal.
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Post by Airchime on May 5, 2008 21:15:28 GMT -8
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on May 5, 2008 22:14:17 GMT -8
Alan, those pictures are absolutely beautiful. She looks especially brilliant in the Expo colours steaming through Active Pass.
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Post by queenofcowichan on May 6, 2008 20:46:33 GMT -8
Scott, Do you know if the Esquimalt will do MD Sailings this Friday, May 09?
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 6, 2008 21:09:49 GMT -8
I am not sure, but I will find out if there is a chance of her sailing...
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on May 6, 2008 21:42:06 GMT -8
Once Again, Sean Goerzen brings back his plea's! ;D
If ANYONE gets to ride Miss Esquimalt again, PLEASE record the welcome aboard announcement!!! ;D
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Post by Nickfro on May 7, 2008 8:11:33 GMT -8
Scott, Do you know if the Esquimalt will do MD Sailings this Friday, May 09? If the Queen of Oak Bay is back in service, I think the chances of the Esquimalt doing an MD sailing are minimal, since the Coquitlam would be able to assume that role. I would be more inclined to see the Esquimalt do an MD sailing on Route 3 during the May Long Weekend. Yes, the Coquitlam is scheduled to do a couple of round trips on that route periodically thru that weekend, but they may choose to get extra assistance from the Esquimalt since the Coquitlam will be busy on Route 2 all afternoon on the Holiday Monday. One can hope though!
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