|
|
Post by shipyard on Nov 4, 2014 21:56:18 GMT -8
There's really no way to confirm this, but someone who works in the marine industry near Dubai has said the Cats are going to Egypt to be scrapped. Sad ending to this long story if true.
|
|
FNS
Voyager 
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
|
Post by FNS on Jan 20, 2015 2:18:33 GMT -8
Here's an update on the BCF Pacificats as found on the web: www.google.com/search?q=egypt+offshore+ferry&biw=1067&bih=533&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=qC--VMm5A5KHgwScuYDoDA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&dpr=1.2www.tradewindsnews.com/weekly/348197/Failed-fast-ferries-find-new-role-offshore
Failed fast ferries find new role offshore
A trio of infamous vessels ordered by Canada in the late 1990s finally look set to enter service, albeit in a capacity for which they were never intended
By Jonathan Boonzaier Dubai
07 November 2014, 01:00 GMTThree 9,000-gross-ton (gt) Pacificat fast ferries that were the unsuccessful product of Canada’s disastrous attempt to break into the fast-ferry market in the late 1990s could soon be making their debut in the offshore services sector.
Well-placed sources in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) say the giant jet-propelled catamarans Pacificat Discovery and Pacificat Explorer (both built 1999), together with sistership Pacificat Voyager (built 2000), are destined for a new role ferrying workers and supplies to oil rigs off the Egyptian coast.
Details on the deal that will see the trio finally enter commercial service are thin on the ground and TradeWinds was unable to make contact with their current registered owner, yacht builder Abu Dhabi MAR, to seek confirmation.
The Pacificat vessels were built as part of a plan by the government of British Columbia to establish a major fast-ferry building industry in the late 1990s. The trio was budgeted at $210m but cost overruns pushed the final price tag up to almost $460m.
The plan was to operate the ferries under provincially owned shipping company BC Ferries but only the Pacificat Explorer ever entered commercial service. But soon after it was pulled from service because of its high fuel consumption and environmental concerns. The remaining pair sailed straight from the yard to a lay-up berth.
The whole debacle is largely credited for the subsequent electoral downfall of the provincial government that dreamed up the scheme to build them.
The trio was sold at auction in March 2003 to the Washington Marine Group for a mere $18m enbloc. They remained in lay-up until August 2009, when they were sold to Abu Dhabi MAR and shipped out to the UAE on a semi-submersible heavylift ship. Washington Marine is believed to have made a tidy profit on the deal.
Abu Dhabi MAR planned to operate the ships on regional ferry services within the Gulf but, for reasons never disclosed, the idea was shelved and the ships have continued to languish in lay-up.
Although fast ferries were all the rage in the 1990s, high oil prices subsequently forced many ferry companies to switch back to operating slower, more economical conventional ferries. Numerous fast ferries of similar vintage to the Pacificat trio have already been sold for recycling. Only one Pacificat is spotted on this latest Google Earth image of Abu Dhabi MAR taken on 10-07-2014.  06-29-2014  06-29-2014, a closer look at the trio. This might have been the last time seeing them together at this location. We'll be looking for updated images of the coastlines of Egypt in the months ahead on Google Earth to see if these are there. |
|
bbcrob
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 1 
|
Post by bbcrob on May 1, 2015 7:20:24 GMT -8
All three now appear to be in Alexandria''s West harbour (Egypt).
|
|
FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,957
|
Post by FNS on May 1, 2015 13:08:14 GMT -8
All three now appear to be in Alexandria''s West harbour (Egypt). Right, you are!  This Google Earth image tells the story.  Zooming out. It's not too long a drive to the pyramids from where they are now.  They were most likely taken from the Persian Gulf, up on the Red Sea, through the Gulf of Suez, and the Suez Canal.  Our final look at Abu Dhabi on this Forum. Or, is it? The last Pacificat was gone as of the date of this photo. Welcome to Egypt, Pacificats!
|
|
|
|
Post by hullnumbers on May 30, 2017 19:39:13 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by princessofvanfan on May 31, 2017 15:34:38 GMT -8
The only ships that are/were worse than these things are Queen of Chilliwack and NIP. Bloody awful in every way except for their speed, which was useless on our coast, as it turned out. Glad we got rid of them. |
|
|
|
Post by northwesterner on May 31, 2017 18:23:22 GMT -8
Don't give those blueprints too much credit. The interior layout was awful. |
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Jun 4, 2017 18:50:42 GMT -8
I was like 13ish when I rode the Fast Cats. I was average skinny 13 year old size and found it difficult to walk around the gift shop and cafeteria areas. It was not pleasant.
|
|
|
|
Post by hullnumbers on Jun 18, 2017 14:34:01 GMT -8
I've never rode the Pacificats (wish I did) and would have loved to do the Open House in 1999 but things did not turnout that way. I would have been 9. At the time, collecting postcards and pictures of ferries was my thing including collecting the fleet stats and fleet brochure (That was a great time, I wish BC Ferries make these again.)
In any case, the blueprints give me an idea of the layout, thanks to Kahloke pictures of the interior (Only ones I know of) during the Open House I can understand.
|
|
|
|
Post by mybidness459 on Jun 18, 2017 16:00:36 GMT -8
I have rode on board Explorer a few times probably at least a dozen or more and the Discovery for 1 round trip. As a matter of fact I was on the first ever revenue sailing on the Explorer. On that particular sailing we made it into Horseshoe Bay in 56 minutes!!!!! It was the record sailing for me speed wise between Departure Bay and HB.
On board while looking outside you could sense you were going a lot faster than the C class and the vessels had a different feel to them. The menu was different onboard the cats because of TC policy.
Personally I liked sailing on these unique car ferries in the fleet although they could have used a bigger outside area on the top deck. Another unique thing to these cats is they did not carry big rigs which is why for a short time (Jan 2000) when rt 2 was fast cat only service they put on a 3rd ship on rt 30.
That only lasted about a month before the Oak Bay returned to stay at HB. They shipped Discovery to DB and rotated the 2 cats in service.
I have to go back and look through my sailing log to confirm exact dates. But during Jan 2000 BCF had Queen of Alberni at DP, Prob either the New West or COQUITLAM out of Town and a slower V class either the Esquimalt or Vancouver running as #2 out of Tswn.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 18, 2017 18:48:50 GMT -8
Mr. Bidness' post made me wonder:
Who here on the forum has the record for most Pacificat sailings done? It might just be Mr. My Bidness (aka Mr. Mars Bar).
I know it's not me. I took zero sailings. I missed a unique opportunity.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kahn_C on Jun 18, 2017 18:55:32 GMT -8
Won't be me, I only got one PacifiCat Sailing in. And it was dumb luck due to a two sailing wait, so not even intentional.
|
|
|
|
Post by princessofvanfan on Jun 18, 2017 20:05:19 GMT -8
The novelty of their speed wore off quickly, believe me.
|
|
|
|
Post by northwesterner on Jun 18, 2017 22:41:30 GMT -8
Mr. Bidness' post made me wonder: Who here on the forum has the record for most Pacificat sailings done? It might just be Mr. My Bidness (aka Mr. Mars Bar). I know it's not me. I took zero sailings. I missed a unique opportunity. My single sailing was enough for me. What were you doing in 1999 such that you never got a ride in??!!?? |
|
|
|
Post by hullnumbers on Jun 19, 2017 17:11:14 GMT -8
Mr. Bidness' post made me wonder: Who here on the forum has the record for most Pacificat sailings done? It might just be Mr. My Bidness (aka Mr. Mars Bar). I know it's not me. I took zero sailings. I missed a unique opportunity. My single sailing was enough for me. What were you doing in 1999 such that you never got a ride in??!!?? It's been so long, I would have been to young and in school (grade 3.) I don't even think I heard there was even a Open House in Victoria at the time. Parents aren't even interested. |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 19, 2017 18:49:49 GMT -8
What were you doing in 1999 such that you never got a ride in??!!?? It's strange for me to look back and figure out why I never took a ride. I was interested in ships back then, but it was "pre-forum" for me (and with everyone else) I was employed, had a vehicle, and travelled. In fact, the summer vacation for my wife & I in 1999 was a Route-40 trip with a drive up the Bella Coola hill. So we were adventurous and we were interested in quirky and unique BC travel areas. But it wasn't until I became a WCFF member that I ever considered taking a ferry ride just for the sake of the ride and the ship experience. I think I needed someone else to give me that idea that ferry-fanning would be fun. |
|
|
|
Post by Brandon S on Jul 5, 2017 16:23:16 GMT -8
Hello Everyone! I was wondering if there is any new information on the PacifiCat Vessels.
Thanks!
|
|
mamero
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 1
|
Post by mamero on Aug 25, 2017 15:55:09 GMT -8
Hello Everyone! I was wondering if there is any new information on the PacifiCat Vessels. Thanks! All three PacifiCat vessels are visible in the port of Alexandria, Egypt in Google Earth. Google Earth imagery date 06/24/2017. 1st PacifiCat coordinates: 31°11'38.19"N 29°51'53.77"E Google maps: goo.gl/maps/WZapR9McqDs2nd and 3rd PacifiCat coordinates (moored together): 31°10'16.58"N 29°51'53.16"E Google maps: goo.gl/maps/74c3CzTDx8F2 |
|
|
|
Post by markkarj on Oct 29, 2017 4:38:24 GMT -8
I emailed the Port of Alexandria to see whether the ships are still there and who officially owns them.
Interestingly enough, Wikipedia says the UAE had donated the ships to the Egyptian government. There was no source for the comment however.
The whole Pacificat situation continues to intrigue me. I do regret not having a chance to ride on one (although I understand it was cramped and uncomfy). I wonder how long it might take before someone chooses to actually use the ships, or convert them to beer cans.
|
|
|
|
Post by muskox37 on Jun 24, 2018 9:09:13 GMT -8
Nice to see that they have found a new home. I believe they are still the cheapest option for future ferries here. Much cheaper than going to Poland again. I just wish that Jimmy or David Black or another BC rich guy would buy them and refurbish them and convince BC Ferries to run them. I never got to ride on one but they could not have been a helluva lot worse or better than what Ferries has since purchased.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mike on Jun 24, 2018 11:21:00 GMT -8
I never got to ride on one but they could not have been a helluva lot worse or better than what Ferries has since purchased. Do you have examples of other BCF newbuilds that were so ill-suited for our waters, that they were rapidly withdrawn after entering service, and then later sold? |
|
|
|
Post by whalebreath on Jun 25, 2018 4:44:31 GMT -8
Nice to see that they have found a new home. I believe they are still the cheapest option for future ferries here. Much cheaper than going to Poland again. I just wish that Jimmy or David Black or another BC rich guy would buy them and refurbish them and convince BC Ferries to run them. I never got to ride on one but they could not have been a helluva lot worse or better than what Ferries has since purchased.I rode them twice and still regret both trips-there was nowhere you could sit that wasn't a restaurant or a bar-and the seats were designed for children IOW deliberately small so that no one could get comfortable. So many small things were done wrong it might sound funny now but at the time was just stupid-like the featured television screen that showed exactly where you were (just like an airplane!)-or you could look out the window like a normal human being. People don't talk about it now but the RCMP were called a number of times because people refused to leave their vehicles and the second time I rode it there was an announcement threatening-Yes threatening-people with the police if they didn't go upstairs it was an ugly situation made worse by gross mismanagement and worse design. |
|
|
|
Post by northwesterner on Jun 25, 2018 19:03:35 GMT -8
Nice to see that they have found a new home. I believe they are still the cheapest option for future ferries here. Much cheaper than going to Poland again. I just wish that Jimmy or David Black or another BC rich guy would buy them and refurbish them and convince BC Ferries to run them. I never got to ride on one but they could not have been a helluva lot worse or better than what Ferries has since purchased.I rode them twice and still regret both trips-there was nowhere you could sit that wasn't a restaurant or a bar-and the seats were designed for children IOW deliberately small so that no one could get comfortable. So many small things were done wrong it might sound funny now but at the time was just stupid-like the featured television screen that showed exactly where you were (just like an airplane!)-or you could look out the window like a normal human being. People don't talk about it now but the RCMP were called a number of times because people refused to leave their vehicles and the second time I rode it there was an announcement threatening-Yes threatening-people with the police if they didn't go upstairs it was an ugly situation made worse by gross mismanagement and worse design. I rode one once. That was enough. The above pretty much matches my recollection. The only thing missing was the single exterior space was up and aft and smaller than a tennis court. |
|
|
|
Post by highlander on Jul 22, 2018 14:01:48 GMT -8
I have just come to work in Alexandria in Egypt and saw two of these Ferry Cats tied up on a long jetty beside some naval ships in Abu Qir Naval Port / Commerc ial Port. We operate out of here for the Oil and Gas industry - I can see at least two of them tied up side by side on the end of one side of the jetty. We are not allowed to take photos because it is a naval port and on checking google maps it is an older image with the same naval ships berthed differently before the two Ferry Cats arrived - Abu Qir is the East Port for Alexandria. They look very neglected and COLD STACKED as we say in the oil industry. The nearest one is the Pacificat Explorer - I cannot see what the far one is ?
I have worked in the offshore oil industry for 34 years and I cannot see how they could have a justifiable role in our industry to supply freight or people to offshore rigs / locations - I cannot imagine they are any good on station keeping which is essential for off loading by crane at rigs offshore ?
They just look like two big white elephants covered in dust now :-(
|
|
|
|
Post by princessofvanfan on Jul 22, 2018 22:01:47 GMT -8
Funny how the B.C.N.D.P. has had two of their B.C. Ferries projects tossed out the window upon being defeated in an election - the Gabriola Island - Iona Island route by the Socreds in 1975 and the FastCats by the Liberals in 2001.
|
|
