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Post by johnnytindale on Feb 3, 2008 21:01:50 GMT -8
Long time reader of this forum. Have enjoyed reading the views of all. I have two questions to pose to you members in ferry cyberland:
1. When was the cafeteria in the upper aft deck on the Queen of Saanich last used as such? Were two cafeterias ever operated at the same time on the QOS?
2. Looking at the scheduled vessels on Rt 30, I'm wondering about the changeover from Feb.29 to March 1. On Feb.29, the Queen of Alberni is scheduled to run as normal out of Duke Point, while the Queen of Esquimalt is the Tsawwassen vessel. March 1 the QOA changes to the Tsawwassen vessel and the Queen of Esquimalt to Duke Point until the Coastal arrives. I'm wondering how they will do the switch of vessels???
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Post by Ferryman on Feb 3, 2008 21:38:11 GMT -8
Hi Johnny, thanks for joining the forum.
1. I can't give you an exact date for when the last time the buffet lounge was actually being used for its main purpose, but I've heard of it being used intermittently at busy periods up until the late 90's, early 2000's.
2. I would imagine that the switcheroo of the two ships will take place overnight on the 29th. I could see one crew for each ship being arranged once both ships have done their final sailing of the day, to do a deadhead sailing overnight. If one crew were to take a to go over on the Alberni, and then return with the Esquimalt, there wouldn't be enough time for it to start the day off with the 5:15am sailing. The 29th is actually a Friday, and the last two sailings of the day on Saturday, and the first two sailings of the day on Sunday are cancelled. So I actually wouldn't be too suprised to see the switch happen overnight on the 1st of April, with it being a Saturday and allowing for enough time to do the switch without two different crews. If there were two different crews handling each ferry, those crews would have to hang around at the terminal at the other end, and then return home on the first sailing of the day, which would make it more costly for BCFS to do.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 3, 2008 22:28:11 GMT -8
I do know the Upper Deck Resturant as it was called on the Saanich was used even when the Cafeteria was open. It was just an extra amenity they had on the Queen of Saanich. I dont even remember going in there though when it was in operation. I remember a few times wanting to go up there but it was closed. I remember a trip on the Saanich in 97 but dont remember if it was open or not! It is usually open now as a lounge to sit in but that is it!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2008 11:29:30 GMT -8
At one time(in the 60'S and 70's) it was a sit down restaurant, complete with waiters and waitresses. Then it went to being a buffet.
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Post by queenofcowichan on Feb 4, 2008 12:04:59 GMT -8
I have also been puzzled how they will do the Switch on the 29th. Take the Queen of Esquimalt, She arrives at Tsawwassen at 2:20am now by the time they disembark all Vehicles and passenger etc it would have to be at least about 2:40am before she can get underway again. It takes her 2 hours and 20 minutes to sail back to Duke Point.
Forget about tying the ship up, or the crew doing required saftey drill, the vessle arrives Duke Point at 5:00am the schedualed departure time. By the time the Morning crew boards her and loads up it could be at least 5:30 am before she sails.
The Alberni is no problem, She can leave Duke Point as late as 2:45am and still make the 5:15am scheduald departure from Tswn.
But I agree that Saturday Nite or early Sunday morning would be a better time to switch, gives Crews plenty of time to do required Drills before making thier first sailing.
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Post by Hardy on Feb 5, 2008 10:25:26 GMT -8
While it makes sense to all of us arm-chair quarterbacks, the Queens of Fort Street must ultimately have some much grander plan in store than we poor minions are privy to.
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Post by johnnytindale on Feb 18, 2008 17:33:12 GMT -8
It appears the Route 30 vessel switch will take place overnight March 1-2 as per the below notice today:
Service Notices - Duke Point-Tsawwassen
Ship Repositioning Posted February 18, 2008
Duke Point – Tsawwassen customers are advised that effective Sunday, March 2, the Queen of Alberni will be home ported at Tsawwassen and the Queen of Esquimalt will be home ported at Duke Point. The following daily schedule is in effect to March 31.
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Post by Hardy on Feb 18, 2008 21:32:13 GMT -8
... and this follows what us armchair quarterbacks were saying, that it would make the most sense to switch the boats around overnight Saturday/Sunday due to the last 2 Sat and first 2 Sun sailings being scrubbed. Good to see that the braintrust at BCFS is at least as smart as a Canadian Fifth Grader...
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Post by PCL Driver on Feb 22, 2008 6:47:43 GMT -8
... Good to see that the braintrust at BCFS is at least as smart as a Canadian Fifth Grader... Not quite sure I'd give them that much credit....
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Post by Taxman on Feb 22, 2008 9:56:22 GMT -8
Well, the Tsawwassen Crews are training on the Alberni. I took her back yesterday and one of the Galley workers said that they had twice as many people in the back. Ironically, it took the same amount of time to get my food (if not longer), but it was the first run of the shift.
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Post by Hardy on Feb 22, 2008 14:20:23 GMT -8
Of course it took longer. The regular crew had to DO IT, then SHOW the new crew how it should be done, and then finally FEED you! Food cold by the time you got it, or did the "keep warm" stares of the crew-in-training help keep it warm? hehe
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 5, 2006 22:47:08 GMT -8
A new installment in the historical department... Photo by JMTThis photo was taken at the northern entrance to Active Pass around about 1978. The photo shows an unlifted V heading south toward Swartz Bay. The photo is not clear enough to say with certainty but I believe that this is either the Saanich or Esquimalt.
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Post by Retrovision on Sept 3, 2007 23:34:52 GMT -8
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Post by Curtis on Aug 2, 2008 16:57:09 GMT -8
I Have Two More Videos Up of the Queen of Saanich Tour: Whistle:
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Mirrlees
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Post by Mirrlees on Aug 28, 2008 22:23:38 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 29, 2008 20:44:22 GMT -8
To add to this tribute here are a few mostly older photos of the Saanich. Q Saanich from the Esq in Active Pass - summer 1986 [DOT photo ©]Saanich in Active Pass - early Sept '93 Q of Saanich in Active Pass - Aug 2002 Queen of Saanich just before she got slugged... approaching Swartz Bay - Jan 2003 Queen of Saanich @ Swartz Bay - 12 May 2003 Q of Saanich @ Swartz Bay - 2 May 2007 All photos (except the first one) by JST ©
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Mirrlees
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Post by Mirrlees on Sept 9, 2008 20:16:21 GMT -8
Approaching Berth 1 Swartz Bay Sept. 7, 2008. In Active Pass Sept. 7, 2008. Leaving Tsawwassen Sept. 7, 2008. All photos copyright Mirrlees
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Post by Mike C on Sept 12, 2008 20:59:36 GMT -8
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Post by PCL Driver on Sept 13, 2008 17:50:36 GMT -8
Nice picture of the Queen of Vancouver in there....
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Post by Mike C on Sept 13, 2008 20:41:23 GMT -8
Nice picture of the Queen of Vancouver in there.... whoopsiedoodles - my bad... god that was in my Saanich folder too, I should catch those things
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Post by bcferryfan87 on Nov 17, 2008 1:23:57 GMT -8
I haven't been on much lately, but when I came on here today, noticed a couple posts such as (re q of Saanich )..."....on longest day, she will ride off into sunset (paraphrase)..."; some picture of saanich with that phrase.
Has she been retired already, or is it imminent? (I knew it was to be coming soon, but I mean is it/has it been set for before the end of 08 to happen)?
Replies/posts appreciated.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 17, 2008 7:25:34 GMT -8
Yes, she is now retired. Last sailing ever was Sunday evening..ie. last night.
Q-Vancouver is still scheduled for some Route-1 weekends (and may be needed for unexpected breakdown relief). Expect her to last until the New Westminster returns in Jan.2009.
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Post by bcferryfan87 on Nov 17, 2008 11:17:23 GMT -8
I'm sad about the Saanich; I liked that ship; don't know when I was last on it, but I remember in 94 being on it when they had put on that "upper Deck " thing in the old buffet area.
Anyone know where it's going to end up ?
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Post by Dane on Nov 17, 2008 16:53:01 GMT -8
Arbitrarily? That's a serious answer. Considering she's headed to a non-Commonwealth country it's even less relevant.
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Post by corporalrabbinoff on Nov 17, 2008 19:26:57 GMT -8
last night the Queen of Saanich departed Tsawwassen just after 6pm and the Master informed Victoria traffic that this was her last sailing. This vessle now joins the ranks of her sisters, The Q Victoria and Esquimalt.
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