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Post by Dane on Apr 30, 2019 13:38:29 GMT -8
I have nothing of value to add, but, WOW that's a nice looking ferry!!
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 30, 2019 15:42:07 GMT -8
If the draft of the Island Class is too deep to be used on Kootenay Lake during low water level periods, then there won't be much to gain from any potential savings if the ferry isn't usable year-round, like the Osprey 2000. If it is to be a replacement for the Balfour, then it needs to have a similarly shallow draft. Yes, but a part of this project is dredging in the west arm of Kootenay Lake, so as to allow the Osprey 2000 to operate regardless of water level.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 29, 2019 17:13:04 GMT -8
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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 Sept 21, 2019 10:55:42 GMT -8
I am back from a two week road trip which included two round trips on the Osprey 2000. I must say the Osprey is such a neat ship. It's so nice to be able to take your car over and not have to pay both ways. First trip I did I drove over and went and explored Pilot Bay Lighthouse which is a neat spot you can see the ferries on the lake from there too. The sailings I took were the 9:50am from Balfour and then I headed back on the 2pm from Kootenay Bay. 35 min free ferry and I had a awesome Burger from the Coffee Shop. It's amazing yet on our 35 min trip to Fulford Harbor on a boring Skeena Queen you get nothing but paying like $50+ just to get over there. Osprey much nicer boat too except their lounge windows need to be cleaned. They are so dirty and even cobwebs and spiders hanging around outside on the windows. The next trip after that was the 6:10pm round trip as I wanted to do a sunset trip. I walked on now this is what is interesting when you walk on you walk down and wait right by the dock. As soon they dock you can walk on even before the cars on that sailing have disembarked which I thought was pretty cool. They usually do not have a lot of foot passengers but there are few on each sailing especially if you live in Kootenay Bay and work in Balfour. There is a really nice lady that runs the Coffee Shop as I have chatted with her on the Facebook Page for the Coffee Shop. The return trip at 7pm from Kootenay Bay they shut down the upper lounge above the coffee shop for cleaning and the coffee shop closes at 7:15pm but the lower lounge on the other side of the ship is usually open. Just thought I would share that. It's a beautiful ride if anyone is in the area and his extra time should go just for the ride it's a run trip. I have done two round trips back to back before and the crew don't even care you could ride the boat all day. Maybe I'll have to do that next time!
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 11, 2020 21:38:55 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 3, 2020 11:21:23 GMT -8
Summer schedule begins July 17:
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 6, 2020 15:19:09 GMT -8
Now, I have a money saving idea for the BC Government. Get the ship yard that is currently building the new 'Island class' vessels for the BC coast to prefab an additional one, but not to assemble it beyond 'chunks' that can be shipped by container via sea & rail/road for assembly on the shore of Kootenay Lake. The Island class vessels and this Kootenay Lake vessel seem to be fairly similar in form, function & capacity. If the draft of the Island Class is too deep to be used on Kootenay Lake during low water level periods, then there won't be much to gain from any potential savings if the ferry isn't usable year-round, like the Osprey 2000. If it is to be a replacement for the Balfour, then it needs to have a similarly shallow draft. Who gets the 'better-looks' award here, the 'Island-class vessels or the ' Osprey'?
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 3, 2020 13:35:08 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 21, 2020 11:42:11 GMT -8
Currently aboard Osprey 2000 crossing Kootenay Lake. You have to remain in your vehicle. Not able to go take in the view with the wind in your face. It’s not the right way to travel on a ferry, but under the current circumstances its understandable.
This is the first time I have been on any ferry since last December, with the exception of the Usk reaction ferry.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 21, 2020 13:44:40 GMT -8
Currently aboard Osprey 2000 crossing Kootenay Lake. You have to remain in your vehicle. Not able to go take in the view with the wind in your face. It’s not the right way to travel on a ferry, but under the current circumstances its understandable. This is the first time I have been on any ferry since last December, with the exception of the Usk reaction ferry. The minor routes in BC Ferries system have the same route except to go washroom.
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 21, 2020 16:37:21 GMT -8
At least on the Columbia (upper Arrow Lakes) you can actually see where you are going while shut in your car.
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 22, 2020 21:32:18 GMT -8
Kootenay Lake ferry Osprey 2000 en route across the lake to the east side at Kootenay Bay - 21 September 2020 High Res here
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 5, 2020 21:54:57 GMT -8
Osprey 2000 unloading at Kootenay Bay Terminal on the east side of Kootenay Lake in BC's West Kootenay - 21 September 2020
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Post by Balfour on Jan 30, 2021 18:38:54 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 3, 2021 22:41:46 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 9, 2021 19:21:44 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,172
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Post by Neil on Apr 9, 2021 20:06:34 GMT -8
Boy... them are gonna be some fancy ferry terminals... on a free route, yet. Compare that story to the situation at Galena Bay or Shelter Bay, where basically, there's the end of the highway. Going forward, it looks like B.C.'s interior ferry routes are going to be what ferry fans want to experience, if you're looking for variety, as the coastal routes get more uniform, in terms of vessels and terminals. Inland, you've got cable ferries, reaction ferries, and actual navigating vessels, with a variety of docking structures. Plus, some really beautiful country, particularly on the longest routes, Kootenay Lake and Upper Arrow Lake. My plan for September, when- hopefully- the Covid situation will allow full travel, is to do a solo ferry excursion, doing all the routes in the southern half of the province, as well as going again to the ghost town of Sandon to see all those old Brill trolley buses. Some things you just have to do yourself, without anyone who doesn't have a weird fascination with land and marine transit to rain on your parade.
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Post by marshall280 on Apr 11, 2021 15:08:54 GMT -8
Here is a great article that sums up some of the improvements added to the Balfour And Kootenay bay Ferry Terminal. As a resident of Balfour im excited to see the work they are doing! The article says they should be starting the ferry construction around this time. Same with the terminal upgrade, which should be starting around this time aswell. www.nelsonstar.com/news/kootenay-lake-ferry-terminals-to-receive-upgrades/
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Post by Balfour on Apr 19, 2021 17:29:22 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,172
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Post by Neil on Apr 19, 2021 19:04:24 GMT -8
Wow... that is something, particularly for a lake crossing. At least it's fresh water- some vehicles disembarked considerably cleaner than when they boarded.
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Eric
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 3
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Post by Eric on Apr 16, 2022 22:58:42 GMT -8
I just happened to be on shore Apr 18 and took a short video but the MV Balfour was distant. I've seen larger waves in a winter storm when the Osprey 2000 runs. No way to embed from Google Photos, so just a link.
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Eric
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 3
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Post by Eric on Apr 16, 2022 23:39:47 GMT -8
The new Kootenay Lake Hybrid ferry did not begin construction in 2021, it was Feb 2022. It might be finished by years end. During 2021 they modified Highway's floating dry dock at Sunshine Bay and towed it to Nelson in Aug. In Nelson east of a recent subdivision they built an access road leading to the construction site which they cleared and levelled. They erected several arch-truss buildings, two are enclosed shops the others are covered storage. Also a huge crane and ramp to the old Harrop ferry used to deliver to the dry dock. Lots of shipping containers too. The image below is a billboard at the site entrance. It's a 10 minute walk to a view of the dry dock. That huge pier is on the old sawmill site where the Osprey 2000 was launched. I watched that but don't have photos. The new site is provincial land so they didn't need approval from city council.
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 17, 2022 21:02:15 GMT -8
The new Kootenay Lake Hybrid ferry ... Please keep us updated re the progress on the new vessel. Much appreciated.
Jim
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Eric
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 3
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Post by Eric on Apr 19, 2022 21:46:37 GMT -8
I spent a few hours looking for photo sites that provide direct links, none are free. I knew about Imgur and found it can create BBCode. First two photos, more later. Aug 26. They brought over dry dock constructed for the MV Anscomb (RIP) and the old Harrop ferry for transport. That arch in the foreground is the shop. Mar 26. Starting the hull in dry dock. It will eventually extend past the ends. Mar 26. Looking east. Container offices, large shop, large crane, assembly, storage to the right.
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Post by Mike on Aug 7, 2022 16:31:50 GMT -8
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