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Post by Starsteward on Dec 19, 2013 12:47:31 GMT -8
Great find there FerryNut Seattle. Given the type of cargo/ferry service Mr. Goundar is looking to add to his fleet, the M Madeleine looks like a great fit. Alas, the poor old Lomaiviti Princess will begin to develop an inferiority complex as she may be joined my a newer bigger ship, just as what took place while still sailing for BC Ferries.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,275
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Post by Neil on Dec 19, 2013 13:46:44 GMT -8
Does someone has a link to some information indicating that the Madeleine is indeed for sale... because I haven't found any, as yet.
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 9, 2014 22:41:37 GMT -8
Queen of Prince Rupert defrocked @ Deas Pacific Marine, Richmond, BC - 7 May 2010. This was a year after she was decommissioned, and more than a year before she sailed away to a new life in Fiji as the Lomaiviti Princess. photo © WCK-JST by Wett Coast, on Flickr
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mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
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Post by mrdot on Jan 9, 2014 23:12:10 GMT -8
:)and she soldgers on down fiji way, and her bow-loading would have looked good on the retched norad replacement! and these new coastals, will they be soldger on fifty years from now? something I will never know! mrdot
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Post by Starsteward on Jan 10, 2014 7:08:32 GMT -8
Amen , so succinctly put mrdot. I will always refer to my second home as 'the one that got away'. Long live the QPR/L.M.
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Post by Young James on Feb 20, 2014 21:03:24 GMT -8
After how many years plying the wet coast, She deserves her time in the sun.
Just found this site. Haven't finished reading the all the QPR postings yet. I will go through my archives and post what I can. Queen of Prince Rupert:- 1966, 1968-69 'B' watch
Young James
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Post by Balfour on Feb 21, 2014 8:05:12 GMT -8
Welcome to the forum, James! There are a couple of other members here that served on board the QPR in her early years. Looking forward to your stories and contributions!
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Post by Starsteward on Mar 21, 2014 8:35:37 GMT -8
Queen of Prince Rupert defrocked @ Deas Pacific Marine, Richmond, BC - 7 May 2010. This was a year after she was decommissioned, and more than a year before she sailed away to a new life in Fiji as the Lomaiviti Princess. photo © WCK-JST by Wett Coast, on Flickr Interesting question as to why the NorEx wasn't fitted with a clamshell door. Back in the day I assumed that the visor door was the only way to go and it always seemed to work well for the 'Rupert', with the exception of one fine Summer afternoon, the crew could not get the pins to release, that secured the bow door in it's open position when we departed Kelsey Bay. There must be a photo out there somewhere showing the QPR sailing up Johnstone Strait with our visor up sailing merrily along, which to the best of my recollection lasted for at least an hour or more before we got the 'snout' down and locked and proceeded in the normal manner. Often wondered what Transport Canada would have had to say about that wee show had they had a vessel on the vicinity and got a shot of that Several guests that were being served lunch in the beautiful forward dining room, actually complained that they couldn't see forward because the door was up. One of our rather smart-alec busboys was overheard to reply, "oh we do that quite often". Oh dear,the things we used to get away with back in the good old days. I remember who the Master was at the time but he shall remain anonymous.
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 31, 2014 21:12:29 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 1, 2014 7:53:42 GMT -8
Aye, matey, t'was a wee Scotsman on the bridge of the old Lassie that wasn't standing on his wee milk crate and thus wasn't able to get a good view of the 'scope'. Once again, the month of August reared it's ugly head and sparred with the dear old girl, to which was heard the utterance:" ah blimey!" Aye, ya daft old cappy, they'll be none too pleased with ye, you know. ...Fiddlesticks I say. Sail on Captain Arnie! He was a great skipper
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,952
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Post by FNS on May 10, 2014 22:01:52 GMT -8
The LOMAIVITI PRINCESS (QUEEN OF PRINCE RUPERT) is getting another workmate as it has been announced that a third ship is slated to be added to Goundar's fleet as the Fiji Times explains (the ship's name was not mentioned, though): www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=263805Another addition to the fleetNanise Loanakadavu Wednesday, March 26, 2014 GOUNDAR Shipping has bought a $3million vessel to add to its existing fleet in the hope of improving maritime shipping services to the people of Fiji. Soon after arrival in Nadi on Monday, shipping owner George Goundar said the vessel would make its way to Fiji from Canada once the amended Maritime Transport Decree 2013 (MTD) comes into effect. He was in Canada for more than five weeks to seal the deal on the third vessel. Mr Goundar said the delay in the implementation of these new laws would directly affect his operations. "The Marine Act as promised by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) will be in place on May 5," Mr Goundar said. "But we have been informed that it will come into effect after the September elections." He says the move to purchase another vessel comes as the need for more prompt and increased services were required from the people living in the islands. However, he said the September decree was a long way and it would be difficult for them to bring in their new vessel any sooner. MSAF chief executive Neale Slack had earlier said there were several major changes to the decree which previously did not feature in the Marine Act of 1986. "One of the major areas of change in the Maritime Transport Decree (MTD) is that a large portion of it is about protection of the marine environment," Mr Slack said. "So a major change is that we have a requirement for the protection of the environment which has increased dramatically over the years." Mr Slack added there was also the addition of seven International Maritime Organisation conventions which would lift the standard of the industry. "MSAF is mindful of the real challenges that exists with respect to the implementation of the convention-related obligations, which have now by virtue of the MTD, become national obligations. "As a result of the enormity of obligations and responsibilities now imposed by the MTD, MSAF is committed to ensure a practical and manageable approach is pursued." He said they were now working with vessel owners to encourage compliance with the new decrees. "The new vessel will service the people in the Western and Northern Division from Lautoka to Labasa. "This is a big investment and I want to provide the best services to the people of this country." Goundar Shipping has emerged as the country's biggest passenger-cargo inter-Island ferry operator. Two years ago, Lomaiviti Princess was brought from Canada. Two years on the Lomaiviti Princess II was brought in from Tahiti. Mr Goundar hopes the third vessel would stabilise services to the outer islands. He said the people in the outer islands could expect better, comfortable, more reliable and constant shipping services as more ships were added to their fleet. Mr Goundar said at the moment the business was going at a very slow rate. "We have issues in the manning especially when we sign contracts and our partners don't abide with it," he added. As a result they were faced with problems such as shortage of staff. In November last year MV Lomaiviti Princess sailed to Port Moresby where it was taken for dry-docking. Mr Goundar said Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu had a lot to offer the shipping industry. He said there was room in PNG for the expansion of Fiji's shipping business.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on May 12, 2014 8:01:48 GMT -8
Reading through past arcticles, it looks like the Lomaiviti Princess II arrived about a year ago in July, and that GOUNDAR shipping is already considering another vessel to expand their fleet. I see from the photos that they've repainted the Lomaiviti Princess II in BCFerries colours inspired by the ex-QPR, with blue funnels and the stripe. At least they don't use the slugs, but it appears that the plague is spreading.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,952
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Post by FNS on May 12, 2014 9:26:23 GMT -8
Reading through past arcticles, it looks like the Lomaiviti Princess II arrived about a year ago in July, and that GOUNDAR shipping is already considering another vessel to expand their fleet. I see from the photos that they've repainted the Lomaiviti Princess II in BCFerries colours inspired by the ex-QPR, with blue funnels and the stripe. At least they don't use the slugs, but it appears that the plague is spreading. ... but it appears that the plague is spreading ...... Except down here. We are still green and white. Add some red for the new muster signs, fire stations, et al, and orange for the life rings and rescue boats. The DOT logo is on our funnels, but we don't have that ferry company name painted on our sides (we hope this never happens to the "Evergreen Fleet"!).
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Post by compdude787 on May 13, 2014 12:04:56 GMT -8
Reading through past arcticles, it looks like the Lomaiviti Princess II arrived about a year ago in July, and that GOUNDAR shipping is already considering another vessel to expand their fleet. I see from the photos that they've repainted the Lomaiviti Princess II in BCFerries colours inspired by the ex-QPR, with blue funnels and the stripe. At least they don't use the slugs, but it appears that the plague is spreading. Personally, I think the current color scheme for BC Ferries looks nice with the blue funnel and stripe, but not with the slugs. It would nice to instead see a dogwood flower in place of the slugs, which are too generic. Also, having "BC Ferries" plastered on the side is unnecessary, but it looked worse when "BC FERRIES" was written in all-caps on either side of the two Spirits when they were brand-new. It's pretty easy to identify that a certain floating hunk of steel is a ferry without needing to read what it says on the side. This is true with the Evergreen Fleet here in Washington.
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Post by Starsteward on May 13, 2014 12:56:25 GMT -8
Reading through past arcticles, it looks like the Lomaiviti Princess II arrived about a year ago in July, and that GOUNDAR shipping is already considering another vessel to expand their fleet. I see from the photos that they've repainted the Lomaiviti Princess II in BCFerries colours inspired by the ex-QPR, with blue funnels and the stripe. At least they don't use the slugs, but it appears that the plague is spreading. Personally, I think the current color scheme for BC Ferries looks nice with the blue funnel and stripe, but not with the slugs. It would nice to instead see a dogwood flower in place of the slugs, which are too generic. Also, having "BC Ferries" plastered on the side is unnecessary, but it looked worse when "BC FERRIES" was written in all-caps on either side of the two Spirits when they were brand-new. It's pretty easy to identify that a certain floating hunk of steel is a ferry without needing to read what it says on the side. This is true with the Evergreen Fleet here in Washington. Prior to BC Ferries becoming a quasi-crown corporation, the funnels' markings were, the House Flag of BC Ferries which featured a green backdrop with the dogwoods on it. This is also back when the ships were the pastel blue colour. The 'plastering'of the company name on the sides of vessels; be they ferries, cruise ships or whatever is actually a very common practise worldwide. Have a peek at companies from the U.K., France, Holland, Spain, Greece, etc. etc. they all have company identities on their ships, primarily for the sake of 'Advertising' their 'Brand Identity'. We, Ferry Geeks who live on the West Coast of North America should not assume that everyone amoung the travelling public knows that there is only one major ferry system that operates in Washington State, British Columbia or the State of Alaska. Agreed, the Evergreen Fleet does not have a company identifier scrawlled along the sides of it's vessels, but the vessels do have owner/operator identifiers on the funnels, that being the DOT Logo. The State of Washington's Department of Transport is properly identified as the owner/operator, but to, I'm guessing, FerryNut Seattle's relief, the DOT Logo is a rather tasteful size. Back to BC Ferries, I've never been a fan of the 'slugs', yes they are the corporate identifiers, however they do little or nothing to enhance the company or brand.
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Post by compdude787 on May 13, 2014 14:30:51 GMT -8
Well, putting the company name on the side of the ferry isn't that bad, but it makes more sense in Europe where ferries are mostly run by private companies and their livery on their ships identifies their brand in the same way that an airliner's livery is representative of the airline's branding and corporate identity. Having each BC Ferry say "BC Ferries" on the side isn't as bad as having the slugs on the stack.
Good thing that they don't have really slow ferries, otherwise we'd be cracking jokes about how they are as slow as slugs!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,275
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Post by Neil on May 13, 2014 22:07:14 GMT -8
Well, putting the company name on the side of the ferry isn't that bad, but it makes more sense in Europe where ferries are mostly run by private companies and their livery on their ships identifies their brand in the same way that an airliner's livery is representative of the airline's branding and corporate identity. Having each BC Ferry say "BC Ferries" on the side isn't as bad as having the slugs on the stack.
Good thing that they don't have really slow ferries, otherwise we'd be cracking jokes about how they are as slow as slugs!
I don't have a problem with the wave logo, or with the dark blue stripe and funnels. Times change, as does branding.
I preferred the old pastel blue along with the provincial crest, but it amuses me a bit that while it's supposed to be us old geezers who cling to the past, on this site it's often the young members who get bent out of shape about new logos and colour schemes... even to the point of acquiring bits of old dogwood carpet and ugly chairs.
My pet peeve, when it comes to ferry aesthetics, is the asinine, meaningless names... like 'Island Sky'. Good grief. But even with that, you get used to it. As David Hahn said, "Names are names". Slugs are waves. Whatever. I think that most of the people who ride the ferries out of necessity are dealing with fares and schedules.
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Post by compdude787 on May 14, 2014 14:09:36 GMT -8
There are some things have improved over time, like seats on ferries. Thank God we don't have those hideous, uncomfortable chairs from the 1970s on ferries anymore! I do agree that the newer names are pretty boring. The tradition of using Native American-based names for ferries that was started by PSN produces some of the best and most original names for ferries. Even using names of local cities, islands, or landforms is better than generic names like Coastal Inspiration. (aka Coastal Installation) Boring!
I wonder what kind of terrible names they'll come up with for the cable ferry and the new Intermediate ferries. Actually, I don't even wanna know...
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Post by WettCoast on May 30, 2014 9:31:37 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on May 30, 2014 11:45:27 GMT -8
Wonderful shot there WCK! On a clear sunny Summer's day, Prince Rupert Harbour could be that 'postcard' perfect! A far cry from one Winters' day when we went in there covered in snow, with a Christmas Tree tied to the Main Mast
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,952
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Post by FNS on Sept 17, 2014 20:52:59 GMT -8
Here's another good Fiji Times story to read: One man's love for ship and seaLosalini Vuki Wednesday, September 03, 2014 WE have the power to make great choices in life but with just attitudes and a positive thrive towards those ...The rest of this can be read at: www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=279199I will add these four paragraphs from this news item in their entirety: Mr Goundar says that both ships, Lomaiviti I and II have strict recycling policies such as announcements with passengers on board and colour codes on garbage instructing passengers on where to throw plastics on one container and regular rubbish on the other.
"Strictly we are the only shipping company that has a sewage treatment plant on board and we have a water separator. We process all our dirty water on board before it goes on the side."
Goundar Shipping plays a vital role when it comes to recycling on board on the vessel."
He adds when travelling on board, the public should look around the surroundings of the safety equipment's because they would like to see everybody to travel safely especially with the busy period now.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 18, 2014 11:10:50 GMT -8
Here's another good Fiji Times story to read: One man's love for ship and seaLosalini Vuki Wednesday, September 03, 2014 WE have the power to make great choices in life but with just attitudes and a positive thrive towards those ...The rest of this can be read at: www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=279199I will add these four paragraphs from this news item in their entirety: Mr Goundar says that both ships, Lomaiviti I and II have strict recycling policies such as announcements with passengers on board and colour codes on garbage instructing passengers on where to throw plastics on one container and regular rubbish on the other.
"Strictly we are the only shipping company that has a sewage treatment plant on board and we have a water separator. We process all our dirty water on board before it goes on the side."
Goundar Shipping plays a vital role when it comes to recycling on board on the vessel."
He adds when travelling on board, the public should look around the surroundings of the safety equipment's because they would like to see everybody to travel safely especially with the busy period now.
Great story and thanks for posting it! I`m glad the old rust bucket, as the ex-QPR has been referred, is being operated by an owner who actually cares about what he`s doing. Mr. Goundar is trying to raise the standards in his native Fiji in several ship board operations. We may scoff that Fijian standards are not as high as they are here in Canada, but at least someone is providing a valuable service whilst keeping an eye on improving safety and environmental conditions.
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 27, 2014 20:14:38 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Nov 28, 2014 6:35:15 GMT -8
'A Thing Of Beauty' there Mr. Wett Coast. The Provincial Coat of Arms on the bow visor was always an impressive sight. The 'Dogwood' logo on the funnels...lovely. If we had been able to make that barbed-wire fence disappear , ah small potatoes, she's still lovely after all these years.
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jaws
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 12
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Post by jaws on Dec 6, 2014 19:43:32 GMT -8
New kid on the block,Well looks like the Lomaiviti Princess has a new look ,It went to PNG last year for drydock after it ran aground in Fiji.The damage was to it STBD shaft and 4 blades.She will be going back to PNG for drydock next year again to replace her sealing shaft seal
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