FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Aug 5, 2011 21:45:06 GMT -8
The ship has crossed a BC Ferries line for the final EVER time. She's continuing southeast at a good speed. The mainland-bound SPIRIT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA crossed ahead of her, the island-bound COASTAL CELEBRATION passed astern of the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS. Next reports will be issued when she passes between Patos/Saturna islands and Turn Point, Stuart Island. We will then turn our attention to the webcams mentioned on the previous page on this thread.
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Post by Scott on Aug 5, 2011 21:50:25 GMT -8
I was at Garry Point Park tonight. Watched a parade of boats go by, and finally the ex-QPR showed up. There was a rousing cheer from a group nearby and a crew member on the ferry was shouting/waving back - probably family members. Here are a couple photos:
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2011 22:12:57 GMT -8
Good evening all. I would like to tell you that the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS has left her bearth at Deas shortly after 7 PM today. After a short sea trial she will head directly to Fiji, I am sad to say that I am not part of her crew. But my heart and prayers are with George, ship and crew. She was assisted by three tugs from the dock and lined up for the trip down the river. Once she clutched in and wash once again foaming behind her she gave off considerable smoke as if to shake off the rust and bid farewell to her once plying waters and beautiful coast. It was an emotional experience for me personally as George is like a brother and I could not be there for him. G-dspeed LOMAIVITI PRINCESS you looked amazing, graceful and majestically beautiful. Pics to follow soon, PHILIP
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 5, 2011 22:15:41 GMT -8
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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 5, 2011 22:30:01 GMT -8
At 2318PDT, the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS passed by East Point, Saturna Island. That ship running along side is a cargo vessel named YOUNG SPIRIT. Her destination sign shows Inchon, South Korea.
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Aug 5, 2011 22:30:19 GMT -8
At 8:06 this evening, the Lomaiviti Princess gave two short blasts on her horn, and pulled away from Deas, the last Canadian dock she will ever touch. Under tug assist, she nosed out into Woodward Passage and waited while a large freighter passed by. After being turned in the right direction, her engines throttled up and she was away, blasting copious amounts of bunker fumes that filled the air along the river (I got a very good dose) and no doubt caused the crew of the trailing Seaspan Greg to reach for their hankies. Then it was off to my second vantage point, near London Farm, on the western section of Dike Road. By now she was smoking more moderately. Finally, off to Garry Point. She was moving downriver at a good clip, and I arrived just as she passed, missing a close up opportunity. As she went past the point, a group on shore let out a hearty cheer. I thought at first it was a group of ferry fans, but walking closer I guessed that they were a group of Fijians, so I asked if they were there for the ferry. I was introduced to the wife of the captain taking the LP to Fiji. She told me the ship had a crew of 13, and was sailing straight across the ocean, arriving in three weeks. She said the boat is due for a major spruce up in 2013, at which time she will be repainted, in a different colour scheme. John has posted much better shots than I got with my crappy little camera, so I'll just close with one of her sailing off into the distance. She's an elderly vessel with a lot of miles on her hull, and has served this province well. I hope she has a safe journey to the south seas, and that she'll give safe and dependable service to her new customers and crew.
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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 5, 2011 23:05:57 GMT -8
At 2359PDT, the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS passed by Turn Point, Stuart Island. The direction on her plot has been haywire at times. We'll now turn our attention to the webcams.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Aug 5, 2011 23:24:34 GMT -8
August 05, 2011.The following image posted by this account is copyright © S.A. ~ Unauthorized use is prohibited.
My view out in the Strait of Georgia from the Queen of Alberni. Unfortunately, the timing did not work out as well as I hoped... Lomaiviti Princess (ex-QPR) off Steveston. by BCFS, on Flickr
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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 5, 2011 23:55:41 GMT -8
Here she was as passing the Highland Inn, San Juan Island. She is barely seen inside the blue circle.
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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 6, 2011 0:05:13 GMT -8
At 0100PDT, she was south of Discovery Island. She'll be dropping off her pilot shortly.
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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 6, 2011 0:28:04 GMT -8
At 0121PDT, the pilot boat PACIFIC SCOUT had picked up the pilot from the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS and scoots away.
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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 6, 2011 2:04:18 GMT -8
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piglet
Chief Steward
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Post by piglet on Aug 6, 2011 7:32:35 GMT -8
I would like to thank all the gang who watched over and reported the departure of our dear QPR. I was trying keep watch but I had to go to bed as I work this morning. I wish her a safe trip to her new home and again thanks to all who saw her off and shared with us.
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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 6, 2011 8:46:10 GMT -8
I would like to thank all the gang who watched over and reported the departure of our dear QPR. I was trying keep watch but I had to go to bed as I work this morning. I wish her a safe trip to her new home and again thanks to all who saw her off and shared with us. Our pleasure! These are the final updated charts I'm presenting of the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS' location for her departure from British Columbia. No, she isn't going northwest. Nor is she going sideways. The direction of her plot shows an indication of that. Her plot has been doing funny things on this trip. She is heading southwest. The LOMAIVITI PRINCESS has been running at just over 11 knots for a good while since my capture at 0500PDT. Prior to that, she was running at a decent speed. It must be foggy out on the ocean, or she must be running at a conservative speed. Whatever this is, she has made great progress on her first trans-Pacific voyage so far. I'll echo some of my forum mates in saying Godspeed to the MV LOMAIVITI PRINCESS and her crew for a successful voyage to her new home in the Fiji Islands. May she be a blessing to the citizens and visitors there. Now, I have to save up some reserves in my bank account so I can take a trip over there to the Fiji Islands!
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mrdot
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Mr. DOT
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Post by mrdot on Aug 6, 2011 10:32:18 GMT -8
:)these pics. posted of my old QPR sailing off into the sunset are very evocative and she looks good minus her sluggs, but the high hull boot topping is still with her! It is good to see her going on to further service and not the mexican boneyard! :)mrdot.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 6, 2011 10:40:56 GMT -8
Many thanks to all the regular and new forum members for the outstanding photos of the departure of the MV Lomaiviti Princess! Well done! Most credit should go to Mr. George Goundar, who had the foresight to purchase the ship for it's new venture in the South Pacific. Watching the former Queen, now a Princess, edge her way out into Woodward channel powered by her somewhat smokey, smelly 'heart', connected and reinforced my musings that there is grace in 'age' and given a 'raison d'etre', there will always be a sunny tomorrow with new and exciting experiences that will unfold as we go forward. The Lomaiviti Princess is a fine example of that new begining, and most fittingly, may be remembered fondly as the only retired 'Queen' to make a wonderfully dignified 'escape', a good fortune not shared by any other 'Queens' of the BC Ferries regal stable. The Lomaiviti Princess typifies: 'Splendor Sine Occasu'
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Post by casey on Aug 6, 2011 14:20:29 GMT -8
Many thanks to those who posted information about her departure, particularly providing a pretty accurate time. I can't thank you enough! I managed to be there to say goodbye to an old friend. Many times I rode the QPR when I lived in the north. For what they're worth, my pics are on my Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/kennethcampbell/sets/72157627246502817/
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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 7, 2011 0:20:19 GMT -8
At 0100PDT, MarineTraffic spotted the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS (as 520229000) some two hundred miles off the Oregon coast and was due west of Cannon Beach at that time. There was a Princess Cruises liner named SEA PRINCESS in the area. The LP passed around the stern of the SP, though. No Bridge Cam captures from the SP. The LP should be going out of range shortly from MT's tracker. All looks well from this perspective. She's still cruising at a conservative speed of 12 knots or so. Sometimes going faster, sometimes going slower. From Siitech:
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 7, 2011 3:30:55 GMT -8
Might her crew take ocean currents into consideration in the plotting of her route, or would that not make any difference in travel time or fuel costs?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2011 9:23:10 GMT -8
Lomaiviti Princess (ex QPR) passes Garry Point at Steveston on Friday, August 5th, 2011 at approx. 2145. Her voyage to Fiji can be tracked on various AIS sites. Her Master is a Canadian trained Fijian coastal pilot, a good friend of the Goundar family. The projected course is from Cape Flattery to Fiji although weather routings (not expected) may change that. Attachments:
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Post by bcferryfan87 on Aug 7, 2011 10:43:58 GMT -8
nice pics btw to all who've posted and all the other info re the Lomiviti Princess (sp?) aka ex qpr.
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Post by Scott on Aug 13, 2011 17:44:00 GMT -8
Has anyone heard from anyone on board the vessel, now one week into their journey?
As a personal aside, I was at my barber (Gordon, on Kingsway) today and I found out he's a friend of the Goundar family and knew about the ferry being purchased and sailing to Fiji.
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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 15, 2011 21:03:45 GMT -8
While we wait for further word on the sailing progress of the LOMAIVITI PRINCESS, I thought you might get a chuckle out of this find on the web: This is a screen capture of this ferry related site of the Fiji Islands. If you notice, they use one of our Superferries on their site! The name is masked out, though. This may be either the YAKIMA or ELWHA. It's so neat to see what websites use as pictures on their sites. Even those that are thousands of miles away from us. Nice promotion of Washington State Ferries to the Fijians! www.fijidiscovery.com/fiji-ferry-transfers.php
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Aug 15, 2011 21:36:12 GMT -8
It's so neat to see what websites use as pictures on their sites. Even those that are thousands of miles away from us. Nice promotion of Washington State Ferries to the Fijians! I'm not so sure that there's any promotion of WSF; it may be more a case of them not wanting to picture an actual Fijian car ferry. Not so long ago, the Australian government issued a travel advisory for Fiji, noting safety and regulatory deficiencies in passenger and tourist vessels in that country. I also recall that 'Kosovo Sealines', which may not have had any more footing in reality than a website, lifted a picture of a BC ferry to represent one of its own vessels.
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
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Post by Nick on Aug 16, 2011 0:34:49 GMT -8
I also recall that 'Kosovo Sealines', which may not have had any more footing in reality than a website, lifted a picture of a BC ferry to represent one of its own vessels. They didn't just lift a picture or two, they lifted the entire website design, including all images.
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