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Post by na on Aug 15, 2006 8:46:38 GMT -8
Where is the ship? She aint in Squamish.
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Post by Dane on Aug 15, 2006 9:33:26 GMT -8
North Vancouver, next to the Second Narrows bridge.
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 4, 2008 22:27:59 GMT -8
I've been keeping in close contact lately with the ex Skipper of the Garibaldi II, who was aboard during the day we had a group trip aboard the vessel in January 2006. He allowed us to stay in the bridge and visit the engine room during that trip, and showed us how to do the 180 degree powerslide into the Woodfibre dock.
Anyways, he just happens to be one of my next door neighbors and he comes by every once and a while for a chat. I asked him what was going on with the Garibaldi II, so here's what he told me. Once the Garibaldi II stopped working on the Woodfibre route, BC Ferries didn't want to own her anymore, so they sold her to the operator, Graham Clake (owner of Harbour Cruises) for a low price. Apparently Harbour Cruises then put in a bid to operate Ferry service to help out with the demolition of the Woodfibre Pulp Mill. But BC Highways wouldn't let them use the Darrel Bay dock anymore, which was once her home port. I think BC Highways has already even replaced the ramp on the dock, which was once designed specially for the Garibaldi II, to a conventional apron/finger ramp instead. But the dock on the Woodfibre side has actually sunk, seeming it was a floating dock. The terminal on the Darrel Bay side is currently being used by Kiewit to store massive mounds of dirt and crushed rock, and the waiting room is all boarded up and vandalized. There was even a bunch of offers to use the Ferry in commercials and movies, but I think the Albert J. Savoie got to take on those roles instead. The Garibaldi II will also apparently need alot of work to run again, seeming she's been doing nothing but sit at Allied since March 2006.
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Post by Retrovision on Mar 5, 2008 0:04:48 GMT -8
Thank you, Chris, for the insightful update. - Here she is, in as far as I can tell the same moorage as 2006, on 31 December 2007 from the West Coast Express commuter train
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 6, 2008 21:20:05 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 19, 2009 21:46:04 GMT -8
Tonight I've got some photos to post from my friend, excapg2. First off: The Nimpkish sitting with her older sister, the Garibaldi II at Woodfibre in 2004. The GII had just returned from a refit (her last refit), and the Nimpkish was waiting to be returned to BC Ferries since she was running place of the GII.
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Post by lmtengs on Nov 19, 2009 21:55:34 GMT -8
What do they use her for now? I saw her next to the IronWorkers Memorial Bridge recently. Are they just letting her pull a 'Sidney? (rotting away with no care and attention put to her whatsoever) Or do her owners have plans for her? Is she a BCDoT vessel? Her colours looks like they could be the right ones. I don't think that if they offered it to BCF they would buy it, since they have a minor vessel surplus right now...
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Post by Ferryman on Nov 19, 2009 21:59:34 GMT -8
The Garibaldi II was actually owned by BC Ferries from 1985 (BCF takeover of MOTF) until 2006. She appeared on the fleet lists for a few years, but then went under lease to "Harbour Cruises". This is similar to how the Nicola is still technically owned by BCF, just not run by BCF. When Woodfibre shut down in 2006, I believe Harbour Cruises bought the Garibaldi II off of BCF, and then laid her up to her current location beside Second Narrows. I've still yet to hear of what her future has in store.
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 14, 2010 12:08:11 GMT -8
Here's the Garibaldi II sitting in Burrard Inlet, decorated in BC Ministry of Transport ferry colours. I don't understand this: Why did BCF sell the 'Baldy 2 but keep the Nimpkish? Wouldn't they prefer a ship with slightly more passenger space?
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Aug 14, 2010 18:38:26 GMT -8
Here's the Garibaldi II sitting in Burrard Inlet, decorated in BC Ministry of Transport ferry colours. I don't understand this: Why did BCF sell the 'Baldy 2 but keep the Nimpkish? Wouldn't they prefer a ship with slightly more passenger space? I agree with this. The GARIBALDI II has a better cabin as well as another deck that could be utilized with a petite snack shop/card room installed aft of the wheelhouse and above the car deck's middle tunnel with sweeping aft views. Add to this the replacement of existing seating with more comfortable seating, like reclining seats found in some of the general seating areas aboard the NORTHERN EXPEDITION. All facing forward. And, darker lighting at night for those who wish to sleep. The NIMPKISH may be nice to some. But, I side with "Canadian Viking" as the GARIBALDI II is a better ship. I would rename her NORTHERN EXPLORER as she would explore all the nooks and crannies in her feeder services to the main northern ferries.
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 14, 2010 19:43:13 GMT -8
I agree with this. The GARIBALDI II has a better cabin as well as another deck that could be utilized with a petite snack shop/card room installed aft of the wheelhouse and above the car deck's middle tunnel with sweeping aft views. Add to this the replacement of existing seating with more comfortable seating, like reclining seats found in some of the general seating areas aboard the NORTHERN EXPEDITION. All facing forward. And, darker lighting at night for those who wish to sleep. The NIMPKISH may be nice to some. But, I side with "Canadian Viking" as the GARIBALDI II is a better ship. I would rename her NORTHERN EXPLORER as she would explore all the nooks and crannies in her feeder services to the main northern ferries. The Nimpkish could be Northern Escape; all you want to do is get off, there's so little to do! Afterthought: I think we're back with those Ford names mentioned last year Northern Expedition Northern Escape Northern Explorer and maybe... Northern Fusion N-150 N-250 N-350 Northern Fiesta Northern Taurus Northern Mustang Northern Mustang Shelby Northern Focus Northern Ranger Northern Super-Duty Northern E-series Northern Edge Northern Medium-Duty Northern Transit Connect ...Oh my, what a ferry system we'd have then.... ;D ;D
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 27, 2010 14:35:46 GMT -8
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Post by lmtengs on Dec 18, 2010 10:45:52 GMT -8
I'm going to be heading out to North Vancouver to do some Norwegian Christmas shopping this afternoon, and I'm going to try and get some photos of the GbII while I'm there, since I'll be in the area. Any tips regarding good ways to get up close? Also, any special angles that anyone would like to see shot? I'll likely be gone by 1pm at the latest, so quick feedback is encouraged I'll delete this post later and create a new one with the photos when/if I get them. Cheers, EDIT: My ride has fallen ill, therefore the trip's been postponed to Monday. Also note that on Wednesday, I'll be popping by Deas Dock to get some shots. Once again, if there's a special picture that anyone wants, just notify me.
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 21, 2010 0:21:26 GMT -8
Wow. She's looking sad these days. Too bad there's no use for her, yet I'm surprised she hasn't popped up on the market for sale at all. Thanks for taking those photos. Here's a look back at what she was like during her last days of service in 2006. Hard to believe I took these photos almost 5 years ago. photosbychris2006.fotopic.net/c844137_1.html
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 14, 2011 10:32:33 GMT -8
Garibaldi II at Allied....still. April 13th, 2011
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 7, 2014 18:25:52 GMT -8
January 2006 video of a group trip on the ferry "Garibaldi II."
- this is not my video. But I had a copy, and I got permission from the video-artist to upload it and share it here.
It's a blast-from-the-past not only of a ship, but also of some younger ferry geeks.
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 7, 2014 19:21:06 GMT -8
It's nice to see that video again. I had nearly forgotten about that one. The Skipper was very kind to us that day. I wonder what he's up to these days?
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 7, 2014 22:29:20 GMT -8
Yeah that was neat to see that video again. I remember being on the trip. That was another fun trip on a ship I dident even know about back then.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2014 12:15:36 GMT -8
Thanks for posting that video,Mr. Flugel Horn. It truly is a blast from the past. I have it on good authority that the "ex" skipper is still enjoying running around by boat in Howe Sound these days. Just this week he ran a passenger over to Woodfibre by water taxi. The old ferry dock is still there but it is gradually falling apart and will be removed when (if) the LNG terminal is built. The Darrell Bay dock is standing by as an emergency dock. I think the last time it would have been used was in 2010 when I had the RJ Breadner there for a day as the Anacortes dock during the filming of The Big Year.
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 10, 2016 20:17:37 GMT -8
A gaggle of (Canada) Geese & an old BC Ferry ... I do not know if this vessel is still capable of being put back into operation. Is there a reason why it never got the BC Ferries 'Expo' livery? Was it not one of the BC Highways salt water fleet that was absorbed into the BCFC fleet in 1985? Did this vessel ever have any regular operations on any route other than the Squamish to Woodfibre route? The Garibaldi II, still in storage near Allied Shipyard, North Vancouver - 30 June 2016 © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 11, 2016 7:09:47 GMT -8
I hadn't seen the video posted further up the thread but it's great to see how serviceable this little vessel could be if she were given a spiff-up to bring her up to current regulations. She could then be put into a 'reserve' tie-up somewhere and be used as an emergency relief vessel. I know I'm just dreaming, but what a waste of a good little ship.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2016 10:13:04 GMT -8
The Garibaldi II has been in "storage" at Allied since taken out of service in March 2006. It is privately owned and I do know that Woodfibre LNG were/are interested in using her if the LNG plant ever goes ahead. She was built in 1964 for the Woodfibre run and operated on that run for her working life and was fairly well maintained. All it would take is money ( lots of it!!) to put her back in operating condition. She started as a Highway's ferry and was privatized in 1984. Later the boat was owned by BC Ferries, chartered to the mill operators (Western Forest Products)and operated by Harbour Ferries/ Cruises (Western Pacific Marine). She was always painted the yellow/white/black. Yes, the last ten years have been a waste of a good little ship. Her predecessor, the Garibaldi ( ....? Albert J Savoy, JR Breadner)had an interesting and varied retirement. I personally ran it for movie and tv commercial work, a logging company carrying eqipment and shake blocks, as well as a freight company while pushing a 120' ramp barge. It seems that the current owners of the Garibaldi II had no interest in working her.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jul 11, 2016 10:16:03 GMT -8
I do not know if this vessel is still capable of being put back into operation. Is there a reason why it never got the BC Ferries 'Expo' livery? Was it not one of the BC Highways salt water fleet that was absorbed into the BCFC fleet in 1985? Did this vessel ever have any regular operations on any route other than the Squamish to Woodfibre route? I don't think the Garibaldi II ever served anywhere else. She was pretty route specific- a schedule I have from 1969 shows her with a pax capacity of 400, so I'm assuming those big lounges were there right from the start. Maybe the fact that she served a route that was so different- basically serving a company operation- accounted for her never receiving the usual branding, or perhaps the Woodfibre route was never transferred to BC Ferries.
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Post by Dane on Jul 11, 2016 22:07:04 GMT -8
Woodfibre was "transferred" to BC Ferries with the other Salt Water operations.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jul 11, 2016 22:20:04 GMT -8
Woodfibre was "transferred" to BC Ferries with the other Salt Water operations. ... but as we saw in the video from 2014, the Garibaldi II was maintained in Highways colours. Mysterious.
EDIT: TC shows the vessel still registered, owned by Harbour Cruises, expiry November 2018.
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