mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
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Post by mrdot on Jul 17, 2012 20:06:31 GMT -8
:)inland ferry package is a very interesting review of our many trips across Kootenay lake, it is amusing to look at the shiney new privitized plaque, but a bit of a joke, as what pvte. co. would provide this service, bells & whistles, for free in the real free enterprize world? It makes me to wonder how long this equasion would last in the republican world to the south, or in harper's universe? :)mrdot.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jul 18, 2012 19:06:40 GMT -8
I have been on both the Balfour and Osprey 2000. I have been on both the MV Shelter Bay and DEV Galena. Been on the Harrop Ferry the Adams Lake Ferry the Needles Ferry and that little ferry north of Kamloops cross the river that only takes like 3 cars if you call that a ferry, lol! Oh and I have also been on the Francois Lake Ferry too! Do you get wierd looks from anyone when you just do roundtrips do you actually get off or just stay onboard???
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 18, 2012 19:09:44 GMT -8
Do you get wierd looks from anyone when you just do roundtrips do you actually get off or just stay onboard??? This morning, when we docked on the far-side at Harrop, I stayed-on, looked up to the wheelhouse, and pointed to myself and then to the other-shore, to indicate that I was staying-on. No weird looks. And on the Osprey-2000 when I did a round trip, I had been chatting with the deckhands earlier, so they knew what I was doing.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jul 18, 2012 19:17:26 GMT -8
The Osprey is a neat ship. She even has a snack bar or mini cafe with quite a number of menu items. I think that route is my favorite of the Inland Ferries. You could ride those ferries all day. The MV Balfour is wierd though. Not much seating on that boat not much passenger space. The best free 40 min ferry trip in BC. Not like Langdale same $12 to cross Fulford Harbour around $10 it is rediculas how come those inland ferries are free? lol!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 24, 2012 17:43:53 GMT -8
Onboard the MV Balfour on Kootenay Lake, on July 17, 2012. Stills of on board: The small outside deck Looking back at the superstructure If you listen closely, you can hear the photograph say "Good" 150 passengers: Similar to the Queen of Chilliwack --------------- ps: This was my 2nd time aboard this ship. - on my first trip, I was in the black Volvo shown in this 1969 photo.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 24, 2012 18:11:13 GMT -8
MV Balfour, on Kootenay Lake on July 17, 2012: Arriving at Kootenay Bay, on the East side of the lake: The Texas-Longhorn of Kootenay Lake - and is that a roof-top set of bridge equipment? (binacle and BBQ controls) -------------------- At Balfour landing, on the West Arm of the lake Tie-up slip for off-duty Balfour, on left side The yellow gangway for the tie-up slip is shown. - and notice the steep incline of the car deck at the bow, as seen by the vehicles already on-board.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 24, 2012 18:43:38 GMT -8
More of MV Balfour on July 17, 2012. Long range shot of the 2 ferries passing, seen from Kootenay Bay terminal An up-close view of Balfour, seen from Osprey 2000
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 24, 2012 19:09:29 GMT -8
More views of MV Balfour, seen from the MV Osprey 2000: - July 17, 2012 A beautful, rugged lake and shore and a quirky old ship.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 24, 2012 19:26:51 GMT -8
My final set of photos of MV Balfour from July 17, 2012. - for those who've endured these multiple posts and many photos, I hope that you've enjoyed them. I posted so many photos of this ship because she doesn't have many years left of service and I wanted to ensure we have a good photographic record of her. MV Balfour, leaving Balfour, just as the weather is getting nasty.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,150
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Post by Neil on Aug 24, 2012 19:41:38 GMT -8
I like the Balfour. Rode it many years ago but don't really remember anything.
It's the only BC passenger/auto ferry I can think of, past or present, that has its superstructure set so far back. Gives it a unique look, and I hope it will be in service next time I'm able to get up that way.
Are the lounges open to passengers both sides, or is one for crew?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 24, 2012 19:46:34 GMT -8
Are the lounges open to passengers both sides, or is one for crew? Port side is crew only. Starboard side is passengers (washroom on the car-deck level, then stairs to that old-school lounge). ------------ When I was chatting with the ferry workers on the Balfour, I told them that I was happy to be on such an old ship. - They told me that I could also see the Anscomb, but that I'd need some scuba gear. ;D
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Post by Cat320DL on Aug 25, 2012 17:48:29 GMT -8
Great shot's and vid's.
Kyle
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 25, 2012 18:11:00 GMT -8
MV Osprey 2000 seen from the dock at Balfour BC. - July 17, 2012. The ferry route is out to the left of this photo. So the ferry needs to make a sharp turn upon arrival and on departure. - but it is simple for the single-ender MV Balfour.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 25, 2012 18:28:50 GMT -8
3 attempts at "2 Kootenay Lake ferries in one photograph". - all taken from Osprey 2000 on July 17, 2012. Little MV Balfour is in all 3 of these photos
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 26, 2012 17:54:54 GMT -8
On-board tour of the MV Osprey 2000 ferry on Kootenay Lake. - We were on board twice on July 17, 2012. Once to take our car across, as part of our vacation. And at the end of our first trip, we promptly parked our car at Balfour and then took the next trip back as foot passengers to the East Side. We then waited a sailing and took the MV Balfour back to Balfour. So we did 3 trips on the lake, when only 1 was necessary. But 3 were necessary to me, for my photos and enjoyment ;D . My wife wasn't too bored, and enjoyed the hours on the lake. ----------------------- The paperwork: History of her building. Shown on a wall in the snack bar lounge. One of the many osprey images on board Ospreys are in every lounge: And a very cool floor pattern The snack bar:
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 26, 2012 18:16:02 GMT -8
I wonder who runs the Snack Bar on the Osprey??. They dont even have special work attire, lol!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 26, 2012 18:17:05 GMT -8
More of the Osprey 2000 ferry. - July 17, 2012. Builder's plaque: Operator's plaque, below the wheelhouse. One of the sundecks, just outside the snack bar door. Car deck scenes: Leaving Kootenay Bay Loading at Balfour.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 26, 2012 18:42:00 GMT -8
Nice views of the Osprey 2000 on Kootenay Lake. - seen from the other ship on the route, the MV Balfour. July 17, 2012. With the Kootenay Bay landing in the background.
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mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
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Post by mrdot on Aug 26, 2012 19:38:54 GMT -8
:)we have availed ourselves of this best ferry deal on earth many times and your pics, and those of my brother's and mine are a tresure trove of this wonderful 'free ride' but not really free! the builder's plaque is a reminder that we built some good stuff the same year as the disasterous fastcats! mrdot.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 26, 2012 19:49:22 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 26, 2012 20:36:56 GMT -8
Kootenay Bay ferry landing, on the East side of Kootenay Lake. - seen by me on July 17, 2012. The site is at the end of a long-and-winding-road from Creston BC, to the south. It is a "hug the side of the hills" road, and the town of Crawford Bay is nearby and is the last little town before the ferry landing. The waiting area has a washrooms building, a terminal attendant (directing loading from the lot), and there is a small cafe next to the terminal. View from the beach, beside the landing.
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Post by Cat320DL on Aug 27, 2012 16:34:42 GMT -8
Great shot's and video's !
Kyle
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 27, 2012 16:38:23 GMT -8
Great shot's and video's ! Kyle Thanks Kyle. I had a good time in July on my trip doing those photos, and it was fun doing the photo/video posting too. (but not as much fun as the trip was ;D)
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 28, 2012 15:13:51 GMT -8
The ferry terminal at Balfour, BC, on the west arm of Kootenay Lake. - seen by me on a few trips on July 17, 2012. The view as we approach down the arm. The floating berth: ------------ The neighbourhood: Lang's Marina has some nice picnic tables on the lakeshore ....and their sign is a bit rediculas And the all-important sign
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Post by cobblehillian on Aug 28, 2012 16:15:51 GMT -8
Mr. Horn, your summer holiday was the trip that keeps on giving, photos that is. You must have spent a lot of time behind the camera. I've enjoyed the pictures and appreciate some of your detail work that I think I missed on some of my boundary region jaunts
About 14 years ago when I regularly traveled to Creston and Nelson I remember seeing a large floating drydock about a mile or two towards Nelson from the Balfour landing. It was probably the last artifact of CP operations on Kootenay Lake. Although it looked pretty decrepit I was told that it was still used regularly for inspections and refits. It had, I was told, been used for the last major work on the Anscomb. They had to install some drive parts sourced in Africa. As I recall the Anscomb had right angled drives to the props. At the time the Anscomb was about 52 years old.
What was most impressive about the drydock was its size. It looked more to the scale of what we see here on the coast, and could have been used for a good number of BCF minor vessels.
Just wondering if you saw or heard anything about the old drydock. And, if it's gone where do they do their inspections. I believe that in fresh water operation Transport Canada will not generally require a yearly hull inspection. They will let some vessels go up to three years between pull-outs.
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