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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2011 22:44:17 GMT -8
Hey all, I am a Fiji islander and I have an interest in the former Queen of Prince Rupert especially since i have a close relative from Fiji who is on his way to Vancouver to assist in the ship's passage to her new home Fiji. As a humble request to any who may come in contact with him, please share some Canadian culture! Copeland's his surname. Cheers
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2011 20:14:08 GMT -8
The latest news that was received last night was that visas for the Fiji crew to the US has been approved and will be departing soon. Looking forward to sail sailing on this magnificent ship her in the Lomaiviti province in Fiji.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Jul 12, 2011 21:17:56 GMT -8
The latest news that was received last night was that visas for the Fiji crew to the US has been approved and will be departing soon. Looking forward to sail sailing on this magnificent ship her in the Lomaiviti province in Fiji. Thanks for the good message. I guess that a USA visa is necessary for the Fiji souls who are taking the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS to her new home. I looked at flights and all go through KLAX (Los Angeles, CA) and Air Pacific does flights between there and the Fiji Islands. And, just in case the ship has to stop at a Hawaiian port to get refueled and have pineapples added to the food offerings in her galley. Keep us posted. We're excited as much as the Fijians in seeing them getting a good ship for their services. Fair winds and fair seas.
Late edit: Does anyone know if her whistles have been fixed to that nice three note major chord she had before their neglect? I hope they're fixed before she leaves. The Fiji islanders should have a nice whistle sound to listen to from this ship, not an awful one.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2011 6:55:01 GMT -8
Does anyone know the contact details of the new owners in Fiji of the Lomaiviti Princess please? Has she left yet?
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Jul 18, 2011 10:45:32 GMT -8
Does anyone know the contact details of the new owners in Fiji of the Lomaiviti Princess please? Has she left yet? Don't know the contact info yet. Siitech shows the LP this hour as moved back to one of the slips at Deas VMC. It looks like preparations for her voyage are proceeding in earnest now.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2011 3:57:20 GMT -8
I noticed that there was a lot of interest in the QPR, now Lomaviti Princess. So I joined this fourm to let you know that she is planning to leave Deas July 29th and heading direct to Fiji. For those who have been watching her since coming out of service, She looks energized, fresh and ready to go. Working on her a little bit these past few months, I get the sense that she chomping at the bit to hit the open waters again. The best of luck to her and may she ride the waves proud once again. I am her newest fan.
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Post by lmtengs on Jul 22, 2011 9:26:18 GMT -8
I noticed that there was a lot of interest in the QPR, now Lomaviti Princess. So I joined this fourm to let you know that she is planning to leave Deas July 29th and heading direct to Fiji. For those who have been watching her since coming out of service, She looks energized, fresh and ready to go. Working on her a little bit these past few months, I get the sense that she chomping at the bit to hit the open waters again. The best of luck to her and may she ride the waves proud once again. I am her newest fan. Welcome to the forum, Pgold! This is great information! Being the doubter that I am though, do you have any sources to confirm this as the ship's departure date? We get a lot of false information added to the rumour mill, and we just want to try and make sure that what is posted is true.
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Post by Retrovision on Jul 22, 2011 11:13:37 GMT -8
It might be just an anomaly, but would be interesting to note if based on reality, that through AIS tracking the Lomaiviti Princess is no longer listed as such (though this occasionally does happen when my app forgets a vessel, however never so persistently and never has it lost formerly uploaded images of a vessel such as has happened in this case) and is simply now listed as "520229000". It seems to make sense to me that this could be yet another sign of how imminent her departure is, presumably due to an official change in IMO or other such official stat.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2011 2:40:49 GMT -8
Well The Canadian Viking I really don't know how to verify this news to you with sources as I joined this form as a source to provide some info for your interest. As I stated in my last post I work on the ship from time to time and know the new owner. To answer FerryNutSeattle about her whistle getting fixed. With the length of her lay up there was much work to do to get systems up and running, ie,pipe work, electrical and the sorts of things I'm sure you know that really need to be done to get her ready for sail. Unfortunately the whistle was not one of these pressing matters. There are plans to adress this at a latter time, sorry. I will ask permission from the new owner to give in depth information or answer any questions when I talk to him latter today and perhaps some contact information. They are very busy now and progressing rapidly. More to follow.
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 23, 2011 7:14:42 GMT -8
Welcome to the Forum pgold and many thanks for the 'inside-story' ;D The ex- Queen of Prince Rupert, now Lomaiviti Princess may yet prove to be the "one that rode away in style" and how fitting would that be for such a great ship of the BC Ferries Fleet. She has earned her 'make-over' and hopefully all systems will be up and functioning again for her long trek across the Pacific Ocean. Unlike many of her decomissioned sisters of the fleet, she will glide down the Fraser all spiffy and looking good, hopefully blowing that damn horn that FerryNutSeattle was worried about them not getting fixed, but what the heck, maybe the Captain will lay on the old Fog Horn for good measure! I'll be there to take video of her departure, come to think of it: Maybe we can get a real big gang of Forum members to bring drums and horns, flags, whatever we've got to send her on her way; as she will be: 'The One That Got Away Clean' , and in style
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 23, 2011 7:44:57 GMT -8
One more request: To: The Big Guy Upstairs: May it please you to grant us, here on Earth, a bright, sunny, breezy day for our grand send-off of the Lomaitivi Princess?? Kindest regards, The Loyal Fans of the Queen of Prince Rupert!
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 23, 2011 7:59:42 GMT -8
I was re-reading some of the posts on this thread and came across a question posed by The Canadian Viking that I believe was never answered. As the 'Rupert' had emptied her car deck in Prince Rupert before sailing to the rescue of the MV Taku, there was room to take all 70 or so vehicles aboard the Rupert, but a couple of large Motor-Home type vehicles I "believe" were left behind as they were deemed too large to navigate across our makeshift wooden ramp that some of you have so rightly pointed out would probably today never be allowed to be used in such a manner. If there is anyone out there from the old 'B' Watch crew of the day that has any other information on the exact number of vehicles we spirited off the Taku, please weigh in
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Post by lmtengs on Jul 23, 2011 13:45:32 GMT -8
A request from me to anybody who is sailing on the trip over to Fiji: Could you bring along a camera and take some pictures, then post them here for us?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 23, 2011 14:43:39 GMT -8
A request from me to anybody who is sailing on the trip over to Fiji: Could you bring along a camera and take some pictures, then post them here for us? ...but if someone posts pictures here, how will you really know that they actually are pictures of the QPR from the Fiji trip. Do you want each photo verified and certified by an impartial witness? ;D (in good humour fun, my doubting ferry-fan)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2011 22:58:42 GMT -8
Hello all. Just recieved permission from the owner to relay any information and questions you all may have. The QPR as you know was bought and renamed the Lomaiviti Princess by Goundar Shipping. One of the owners is George Goundar who some of you may know was working as a Chief Engineer with BC Ferries. I have worked with George for many years and am one of the volunteers to help him get the ship up and running. This is quite the undertaking as she has sat idle for so long. While the goal for departure is still July 29th there is still much to do. Inspections are taking place this week and hopefully all goes well but you never know what can pop up. I will keep you posted and if there are still any volunteers let me know and I'll see what can be done. As for the trip itself, there is a possibility that I will go although there is little support from the kids at home, I would like to record the trip with both video and stills. Posting as we go would be great but looking at sat. phones and internet connection is a little too rich for me. George was looking at this but not high on the list of priorities. Anyway if there are any questions fire away. Thanks
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2011 23:06:14 GMT -8
Also I forgot to mention that George has no problems with an organized farewell. Being a long time employee he knows the sentiment we all have regarding our ships. After all a great deal of our lives are spent working on these Queens. So if there is a desire for some kind of farewell celebration perhaps we can get something done. Let me know asap.
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Post by lmtengs on Jul 24, 2011 8:45:54 GMT -8
Also I forgot to mention that George has no problems with an organized farewell. Being a long time employee he knows the sentiment we all have regarding our ships. After all a great deal of our lives are spent working on these Queens. So if there is a desire for some kind of farewell celebration perhaps we can get something done. Let me know asap. If we CAN do a farewell, then if at all possible, let it start in the morning, because work starts at 4pm for me on monday and tuesday, and I'd love to come out for it.
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 24, 2011 13:13:39 GMT -8
Hey pgold, that's the best news I've had all day! Mr. Goundar is to be congratulated for coming forward with his offer of send-off festivities and share the departure of this fine vessel as it meant so much to many people worked on her over the years. With all the hassles of getting work done, inspections etc. Mr. Goundar could have easily said they were too busy, however count me in and we'll see what we can come up with. a 'farewell' is usually done the day a ship departs, therefore planning and implementation of any 'activities' will have to be rather fluid as departure schedules can shift wildly. No matter what the day of departure may turn out to be, lets hope for nice Summer day.
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 24, 2011 13:22:39 GMT -8
If any members would like to send me an e-mail message, just go to members and click on Starsteward. I do not have my e-mail hidden. You can also send private message through the forum message system. Cheers Starsteward.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Jul 24, 2011 16:54:43 GMT -8
I have an idea of a "Grand Salish Sea Departure" for the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS.
In the morning, the ship would sail from Deas VMC and proceed out of the Fraser River with an entourage of workboats blasting salutes to the ship.
The LP would then exchange final salutes to whatever ferries there are at Tsawwassen. Then do a crossing over to Swartz Bay and doing the same there as well as the ferries and boats she would meet en route.
After Swartz Bay, the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS would then head south to Victoria and enter the harbour. Time this right and the LP and the COHO could do a side-by-side set of salutes on her arrival from her 1245PDT sailing from Port Angeles. All in front of well wishers there in Victoria's inner harbour.
This next leg of her Grand Salish Sea Departure may be one that's asking too much. Back in 1980, this ship did a chore under trying circumstances. Stand in for a popular ship. The PRINCESS MARGUERITE took that year off by reasons most of you know. The LP, under a disguised name of VICTORIA PRINCESS, ran on the run to Seattle. She did two round trips a day. A Boeing Jetfoil was added to try and make up the loss of passenger spaces. The MAGGIE carried around 1800 passengers. The VP carried much less.
Following the salutes in Victoria Harbour, her birth place, the ship would then sail down to Puget Sound, saluting to the ferries en route to Seattle. The ship would not touch land, but just salute and allow us here in Seattle to see her one last time before she heads to her new home.
She would "recognize" only one ferry on Puget Sound, though. That's the SPOKANE, now on the Edmonds to Kingston run.
On her trips from Seattle to Victoria and return in 1980, she met the RHODODENDRON on the Keystone run (they now have the new ferries CHETZEMOKA and SALISH on this run), the ELWHA on the Kingston run (they now have the PUYALLUP and SPOKANE on this run), the SPOKANE and WALLA WALLA on the Winslow run (they now have the TACOMA and WENATCHEE on this run), and the HYAK and YAKIMA on the Bremerton run (they now have the KALEETAN and KITSAP on this run).
I have given this ship my forgiveness as a not-too-popular stand in for the popular MAGGIE. A ship, any kind of ship that is, is meant as a means of transportation between ports. The LP, as the VP, did her best and we salute her for her efforts here in 1980. That was the year Mount Saint Helens blew her top off. Some ferries here were reportedly equipped with ash kits, just in case if ash would land here in the Puget Sound area.
Following her brief pause in Seattle's harbor, just for us to look at and take photographs for a few moments, the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS would then sail out of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea under sunset.
That's my thoughts. Others may have ideas of their own.
It would be nice to see this ship here in Seattle one brief last time, despite the trying thing she did here in 1980 with bravery and best effort.
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Post by Dane on Jul 24, 2011 17:24:45 GMT -8
Perhaps we should not take this generous offer too far
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 24, 2011 20:42:02 GMT -8
A sunny late April day in 1979 aboard the QPR prior to departure from Rupert for Port Hardy. The seating shown is at the stern. It replaced the original white painted benches that once were a feature on most of the WAC era new-build ferries. From the JST Flickr photo site ©
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2011 23:41:59 GMT -8
Hi Pgold. Could you put me in touch with George Goundar? I used to support BC Ferries with Technical support on the old Mirrlees engines in the Queen Of Prince Rupert and would like to continue to help.
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 25, 2011 11:33:12 GMT -8
If you could get that extensive send-off plan put together, FerryNutSeattle, that would be the best send-off for almost any ship I can think of, however Mr. Goundar might need a bit of extra diesel fuel cash for the extended 'tour'
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Jul 25, 2011 11:50:59 GMT -8
If you could get that extensive send-off plan put together, FerryNutSeattle, that would be the best send-off for almost any ship I can think of, however Mr. Goundar might need a bit of extra diesel fuel cash for the extended 'tour' That sure would be a great one with the BC sendoff! The Seattle diversion was only a thought as she served our city in 1980. No cars were carried, though, due to the arrangements of Pier 69 in Seattle and the Inner Harbour dock in Victoria. She didn't have the side vehicle hatches the MAGGIE had. Nevertheless, she did her best here.
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