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Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 7, 2008 10:17:55 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! The Queen of Coquitlam will be the scheduled extra for route 2 and 3 over the MLW...... The Queen of Esquimalt will sail for MD sailings only for this month......LATE EDITQueen of Oak Bay will come into service with the 3:00 sailing from HB tomorrow afternoon. Coquitlam will then move to Departure Bay... Queen of Esquimalt will be leaving Departure Bay tomorrow for layup at Deas...
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Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Mirrlees on May 14, 2008 23:48:53 GMT -8
Here's a classic this was taken c. 1980-81. Love that Pastel Blue..! Sorry about the focus didn't have a good camera then. This is a shot of her heading for Tsawwassen in August 1990. All photos copyright Mirrlees
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Post by blackshadow on May 17, 2008 7:00:23 GMT -8
She is now doing her final days with BCFS at Deas Dock. There is a party for her and those whom worked on her sometime before the end of this month.
It is rumored the Esquimalt is going to sail on her own power across the Pacific to an unknown location where she will be getting second lease on life sometime in the summer. GOOD NEWS she will not be scraped but believe to be transformed. There is a rumor Mr. Brinkmann wave breaker from either the CR or CI maybe installed for trip.
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Post by Balfour on May 17, 2008 15:23:01 GMT -8
Transformed you say? I wonder in what way? This is good news at least but I'm thinking some work will need to be done to her in the next months to prepare her for her first journey across the ocean. I'm looking forward to hearing more on this...
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 19, 2008 14:12:02 GMT -8
I hope that she doesn't have a Suzy-Q type of trip across the pacific.....
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on May 19, 2008 20:28:05 GMT -8
My routing would take the MV QUEEN OF ESQUIMALT from the lower mainland up the Inside Passage to her first fueling stop at Prince Rupert (take a small handful of interested passengers on this leg only and they can return by air to CYVR). Then, after saluting her well wishers good bye, continue into the Alaskan Inside Passage up to a point where select AMH ferries crosses over to the Anchorage area for her next fueling stop. Finally, on to Asia or wherever she is destined to on the western side of the Pacific.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 19, 2008 20:39:06 GMT -8
Finally, on to Asia or wherever she is destined to on the western side of the Pacific. aha, good thinking on the shorter northern route across the Pacific Ocean. That makes sense for all the same reasons that cargo ships have in using Prince Rupert instead of Vancouver. Wouldn't the Queen of Esquimalt at Prince Rupert harbour be a great photo op?
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Post by ferryfanyvr on May 20, 2008 10:05:53 GMT -8
According to my BCF employee friend, there is to be a decommisioning ceremony for the Queen of Esquimalt this Saturday May 24th 1100hrs at Deas.
BCF employees past and present are invited, refreshments will be served, and the ship's bell will be rung for the final time.
So I guess that's it. Farewell, old friend.
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Post by Alberni on May 21, 2008 9:08:20 GMT -8
I was driving through the Massey Tunnel yesterday evening and noticed that they started to paint over the "mating snails" on Esquimalt's funnel.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on May 21, 2008 12:22:47 GMT -8
Whenever anyone up there in BC is going by BCF's Deas Maintenance Centre, get a picture (or few) of the MV QUEEN OF ESQUIMALT. Also, it would be interesting if the folks there will be changing her name in the process of ownership turnaround.
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Kam
Voyager
Posts: 926
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Post by Kam on May 21, 2008 12:36:35 GMT -8
I will be down that way next friday, but hopefully someone else will get over in the next week before that..
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Post by ferrytraveller on May 21, 2008 12:36:50 GMT -8
if i have some extra time today or tomorrow i will try to get some pics.
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Post by Alberni on May 21, 2008 14:25:01 GMT -8
I'm going that way for the remainder of the week and I'll stop by and take some pics. Just need to remember to bring my camera. ;D
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Post by ferrytraveller on May 21, 2008 21:03:46 GMT -8
well i got one picture, i will post it shortly. As Alberni said, her funnel has been painted straight blue, so no more white waves on a blue funnel. Her name and port of registry however as still the same as normal for now.
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Post by WettCoast on May 21, 2008 21:36:16 GMT -8
Another look at the Esquimalt, pre lifting, in Active Passage, June 1977. JST photo ©
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Post by Political Incorrectness on May 21, 2008 21:37:37 GMT -8
Wow, that is such a beautiful shot like that nearly perfect! Thank Jim!
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Post by Mike C on May 22, 2008 8:24:17 GMT -8
I will do my honest-to-goodness very best to get down there on Saturday, but we shall see.... no guarantees.
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Post by Mac Write on May 23, 2008 19:26:36 GMT -8
DAMN I would really really love to be their. Scott or someone should arrange for a group farewell afternoon on her were we can spend like 3-4 hours on her documenting her for historical purposes as well as saying our good-byes.
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Post by Ferryman on May 24, 2008 18:08:08 GMT -8
Warning, picture heavyWell, some of us have kept this under wraps for a few days now, and are now ready to let everyone know, now that the Queen of Esquimalt has officially been retired, as of today. Donella, aka Esquimalt Queen was invited to the retirement ceremony for the Queen of Esquimalt while she was up on the bridge of the Queen of Saanich last weekend. She invited me to tag along to help document the ceremony with video and photos. But I didn't just come along with her, hoping to get in. She recieved special permission for me to go. Now after actually going to the ceremony, we've found out that maybe a few more of us could have gone after all. But oh well, there are more ships to be retired still. So now, I'll cut to the chase. I drove out to Tsawwassen this morning, to pick Esquimalt Queen up, as she came over on the 8:00am Queen of Saanich over. We got some breakfast at Tim Hortans, and then headed straight over to Deas. Upon arriving at the facility, we were directed to the designated parking area for the event. Ferry items, such as Queen of the North lifeboats different types of RADs for different ships were all displayed behind a fence at this lot. We then had to talk to the guard at the gate, and show the special invitation we had for the event. I had my camera hung around my neck, so I was immediately asked if I was part of the media. That's ok, I was still let in. As we got closer to the ship, we started to notice a small group of retirees all telling each other their stories, with a few BC Ferries higher ups. One of the hire ups being, Captain George Capacci, who literally dropped everything once he saw Donella. He says, "Hey I recognize you, you must be Donella! I've heard all about you and your tattoo". Donella then became quite overwhelmed with all the attention she was recieving, seeming everyone wanted to see her tattoo. Eventually, we boarded the vessel, and walked right on up to the foc'sle, where the actual ceremony was taking place. Once we were at the foc'sle, we were pleasantly surprised to see that her bell had been put back where it belongs! The flagpole at the bow held basically some of the last BC Ferries left on board for the ceremony. There was then a bunch of speeches from a few Captains who had once worked on the vessel, along with the higher ups putting their two cents in. At the end of the speeches, the bell was rung 8 times, and the flag was lowered and put away. We were then able to wander the ship for the last time. Cookies and Juice was provided in the Cafeteria. This was when we started to notice just how much they've already taken off the vessel. Anything that said BC Ferries, or Queen of Esquimalt was either painted over or removed. All of the payphones were also removed, and various pictures throughout the passenger decks. It was quite evident what was missing from where, because the walls had been painted a different colour around the objects. ........I have to cut this upload short as I have other duties to attend to. Look forward to the rest later tonight, from both me and Esquimalt Queen.
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Post by Kahloke on May 24, 2008 19:20:21 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing your pics from this very momentous event! I never did ride on the Queen of Esquimalt, but I'll have to make it a point to attend a future planned V-Class group trip on one of the remaining V's while they are still in service.
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Post by Mike C on May 24, 2008 19:45:33 GMT -8
Wow Chris! Thanks for posting your pics, much appreciated. You know, I've never really been a huge fan of the Queen of Esquimalt. But it bothers me when people go on and rant about "Oh yeah, one day we got the Queen of Esquimalt instead of the Oak Bay or Surrey". If BC Ferries could distribute penalties for "unsportsmanlike conduct," then those kind of comments would be high on the list, closely followed by complaints of the food on the Queen of Tsawwassen. Again, we appreciate your documentation, and the ability to salute this (once) fine vessel an official "farewell." I only rode her once, because of my lack of appreciation, but I'm starting to really regret it now
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Post by Mac Write on May 24, 2008 19:54:58 GMT -8
We all wish we could have gone. Nice photos. Thank god you got some good cafeteria shots, those are really lacking.
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Post by kieran h on May 24, 2008 20:21:53 GMT -8
thats kinda sad too see her go. and how did you get invited to the ceremony and last question where you able to go into the engine but it doesnt look like it.
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Post by Northern Exploration on May 24, 2008 20:28:37 GMT -8
Great pics Chris. Looking forward to see the rest of yours and Donella's when you get a chance to post them. Thanks. One of the originals chopped, another languishing in a sorry state, and now one sold and off to foreign lands soon.
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Post by DENelson83 on May 24, 2008 20:40:10 GMT -8
An idea: Why not take the ship's bell from the Queen of Esquimalt and mount it on the Coastal Renaissance as a way to "pass the torch"?
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