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Post by Ferryman on Nov 4, 2013 15:44:35 GMT -8
The Northern Adventure is being refloated to make way for the Queen of Nanaimo, which will be towed over here tomorrow morning
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Nov 4, 2013 16:46:10 GMT -8
Hopefully the Queen of Nanaimo will be repaired before the long weekend.
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 4, 2013 16:57:14 GMT -8
One thing BCFS could do in a situation such as they have now, is to have a route 1 vessel stop at Village Bay to exchange traffic with route 5 vessels. I think two stops daily in each direction would work. Salt Spring Islanders, however, would be served only by through-fare via Swartz Bay.
I know that raised V-class vessels could dock at Village Bay. Does anyone know if there is any reason Spirit/Coastal class vessels couldn't do the same?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 4, 2013 17:18:37 GMT -8
The latest news:
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Post by Mac Write on Nov 4, 2013 18:14:46 GMT -8
Why couldn't they run the Mayne and Comberland in "Shuttle" mode and run TSA > Swartz and also let the Skeena Queen do a Triangle route.
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FNS
Voyager 
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Nov 4, 2013 19:01:06 GMT -8
There shouldn't be any regulatory reason why the Queen of Nanaimo can't come down here for drydocking (though there would be some additional paperwork required). However, she appears to be too long for both Dakota Creek and Lake Union, and Vigor/Todd's big drydock has the Puyallup in it right now. Todd's other two can handle her, but they're probably occupied. Here's brief summary of what there is in WA right now: - Fairhaven Shipyard: 12 meters short in length, but at DCI they overrun the drydock by 10 meters on either side for the supers. - DCI: 34 meters short. Maybe a bit too much. - LUDD: way too short, and also occupied - Vigor: all three can handle her, as of today it seems like the one next to the Tokitae is unoccupied. Or there's the drydock at Kethcikan.  This is surely going to be interesting. Count on me is she happens to come down. Well, the QUEEN OF NANAIMO watch here on Puget Sound is wishful thinking as mentioned on FH's BCF news posting a short time ago. The links to the release are at: www.bcferries.com/about/media_room/newsreleases.htmlwww.bcferries.com/bcferries/faces/attachments?id=831715It would have been fun to get a pic of her and the TOKITAE together if she'd paid Vigor a visit. But, she's going to a BC yard that knows her well. We already did see a member of this class of ferries here in Seattle some time ago as the QUEEN OF BURNABY operated on the Victoria run for a short time under the disguise of two different names and decor. |
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
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Post by KE7JFF on Nov 4, 2013 22:26:33 GMT -8
I know a employee down at the Portland Vigor yard, who's also a former BC shipworker actually...
I just told him of what happened with the Queen of Nanamio and after a good laugh, he said far as he knows, there is space for the ship down here at Swan Island in Portland and it wouldn't be the first time BC Ferries toyed with the idea; apparently he heard a rumour once that BC Ferries was looking at Vigor in Portland to refit one of the smaller vessels, but this was in 2004.
Oh as for hauling the Nanaimo into Portland? Its not that hard going down the Columbia, but I could see the Columbia River Bar Pilots getting very very nervous...
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SolDuc
Voyager
West Coast Cyclist
SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
Posts: 2,055
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Post by SolDuc on Nov 4, 2013 22:40:05 GMT -8
I know a employee down at the Portland Vigor yard, who's also a former BC shipworker actually... I just told him of what happened with the Queen of Nanamio and after a good laugh, he said far as he knows, there is space for the ship down here at Swan Island in Portland and it wouldn't be the first time BC Ferries toyed with the idea; apparently he heard a rumour once that BC Ferries was looking at Vigor in Portland to refit one of the smaller vessels, but this was in 2004. Oh as for hauling the Nanaimo into Portland? Its not that hard going down the Columbia, but I could see the Columbia River Bar Pilots getting very very nervous... Actually many of AMHS' vessels go up and down the Columbia every year on their way to drydock if they're in need of a major refit. There is more space available there than in the PNW and they're not in a urgent schedule or anything in the winter months. |
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Nov 4, 2013 23:04:28 GMT -8
I know a employee down at the Portland Vigor yard, who's also a former BC shipworker actually... I just told him of what happened with the Queen of Nanamio and after a good laugh, he said far as he knows, there is space for the ship down here at Swan Island in Portland and it wouldn't be the first time BC Ferries toyed with the idea; apparently he heard a rumour once that BC Ferries was looking at Vigor in Portland to refit one of the smaller vessels, but this was in 2004. Oh as for hauling the Nanaimo into Portland? Its not that hard going down the Columbia, but I could see the Columbia River Bar Pilots getting very very nervous... Actually many of AMHS' vessels go up and down the Columbia every year on their way to drydock if they're in need of a major refit. There is more space available there than in the PNW and they're not in a urgent schedule or anything in the winter months. Yes they do! However, My understanding is the Columbia Bar Pilots get very squeamish about passenger vessels coming down the Columbia into Portland. I know when Holland America ran that really small vessel that was about the size of the Nanaimo for cruises years ago, they didn't put a bar pilot on... |
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Post by Scott on Nov 5, 2013 8:27:33 GMT -8
Looks like the SEASPAN CORSAIR is at Long Harbour alongside the QUEEN OF NANAIMO so I guess the towing trip is about to begin. Tomorrow is a day off for me, so if the arrival into Vancouver harbour is timed right (during school hours!) I may go down for a photo op.
PS. As of 9:15, she is now underway, by the looks of it on AIS, under her own power. Not sure where she's headed for today, maybe Swartz Bay?
- John H
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 5, 2013 10:37:44 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo is currently in Boundary Pass.
- oh, to be at East Point on Saturna in a few hours, to capture the rare event. But no, I am at work.
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Post by scottlikesapples on Nov 5, 2013 10:51:46 GMT -8
I was hoping I could watch the QoN being towed through Plumper Sound or something. No dice. Maybe if it was a nicer day I could catch a glimpse from Campbell point.
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Post by scottlikesapples on Nov 5, 2013 10:53:49 GMT -8
Does anyone know whats going on with the three ferries at Deas Island? Are they all in the middle of refits?
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 5, 2013 11:41:46 GMT -8
Does anyone know whats going on with the three ferries at Deas Island? Are they all in the middle of refits? The three ferries there (according to Siitech) are the Alberni, Cowichan & Bowen Q. All are in the midst of their annual refits. None of those vessels would make a suitable replacement for the Nanaimo on the SGI - Tsawwassen route. It might be possible, however, to get the Alberni out of refit early, thereby getting her back on the Duke Point run (route 30) and thereby freeing up the Queen of New Westminster to go back to route 1 (Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay) and do a modified schedule (aka route 1A) that includes a few stops daily at Galiano and/or Mayne Island. The Alberni is scheduled to return to service on November 15th. Could BCFS expedite her return to put her back on for the Remembrance Day weekend? I can't answer that. |
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Nov 5, 2013 12:00:58 GMT -8
It appears the Nanaimo will be stopping by Tsawwassen before carrying on to VDD (likely to offload crew vehicles). CCGS Atlin Post is currently hanging around Berth 2.
Also, NorAd has been refloated and is moored at the pier.
On an unrelated note, all three Coastals will be at Tsawwassen shortly. Inspiration at Berth 3, Renaissance at 4 and Celebration in 5.
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Post by Mike C on Nov 5, 2013 12:09:33 GMT -8
It appears the Nanaimo will be stopping by Tsawwassen before carrying on to VDD (likely to offload crew vehicles). CCGS Atlin Post is currently hanging around Berth 2. Also , NorAd has been refloated and is moored at the pier. The Nanaimo appears to be receiving assistance from the Seaspan Corsair. |
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Post by Ferryman on Nov 6, 2013 7:01:25 GMT -8
Queen of Nanaimo is off Spanish Banks and making 8 knots with a tug escort by Seaspan Queen. It's hard to say if she's under tow or not
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Post by Cable Cassidy on Nov 6, 2013 8:07:41 GMT -8
She's just outside Vancouver Drydock and is being positioned by the C.H. Cates VIII and Seaspan Raven. Hopefully our Lower Lonsdale residents are getting some early morning photos  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 6, 2013 8:29:46 GMT -8
An interesting side-note to the 'Nanny grounding event:
- I have a YouTube video from 2012 called "Village Bay & Sturdies Bay" which is some evening footage shot during a group trip on Nov.12, 2012.
In the last week, this video has been the most-watched item in my set, according to YouTube analytics.
It doesn't have much of a view of Village Bay terminal itself, but the video name is obviously attracting attention.
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Post by paulvanb on Nov 6, 2013 14:11:29 GMT -8
Went down after a shoot today to get photos. There is a large net that obscures the stern, but here is what I have.  Cropped photo  |
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
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Post by Mill Bay on Nov 6, 2013 18:51:42 GMT -8
It appears the Nanaimo will be stopping by Tsawwassen before carrying on to VDD (likely to offload crew vehicles). CCGS Atlin Post is currently hanging around Berth 2. Also , NorAd has been refloated and is moored at the pier.
On an unrelated note, all three Coastals will be at Tsawwassen shortly. Inspiration at Berth 3, Renaissance at 4 and Celebration in 5. Did no one make a rush trip down there to get photos? That was your once in a lifetime opportunity, Scott. For a moment I had this crazy idea that something could be done with the New West. She would be able to do stopovers at Village Bay if they let her prove her versatility on route 1. Alas, I see Siitech shows her mired on route 30. Refit season was the worst time of year that this could have happened, especially with the Burnaby already out. If only they still had the Queen of Tsawwassen waiting in the wings to save the day. I did have an even wilder idea for a moment that the QNW is still enough of a sister ship to the Nanaimo that they might be able to fit her into Long Harbour. Honestly, who would ever come up with an idea like that  ? But I bet the route 9 regulars would be impressed with the expanded amenities. They'd all be clamoring for a Seawest Lounge on the next route 9 vessel. |
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Post by scottlikesapples on Nov 6, 2013 18:59:41 GMT -8
 Queen of Nanaimo limping out of Long Harbour. Photo from the Gulf Islands Driftwood |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2013 19:48:41 GMT -8
Updated today: the Nanaimo is out of service "until further notice." So it sounds like she'll be out for more than a week.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Nov 6, 2013 20:37:04 GMT -8
That was your once in a lifetime opportunity, Scott.
I booked the Queen of Richmond for pick up at Neck Point, but I received an e-mail telling me she's out of service as they're removing her old Decca BridgeMaster units for the Renaissance's two former SAM Radarpilots...
Our long-weekend Route 9 group trip aboard the Queen of Nanaimo has been axed due to the Village Bay incident, so hopefully the Richmond will be available only to us ferry geeks to allow for a Voyager get together...
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Post by northwesterner on Nov 6, 2013 23:40:21 GMT -8
Updated today: the Nanaimo is out of service "until further notice." So it sounds like she'll be out for more than a week. Ugh. This is a big problem for the communities served by this route. One of the biggest problems with BC Ferries is that the ferries are so unique and route specific that in case of a major vessel shortage, it is very difficult to "shuffle the deck" and spread the pain around. Not only are the berths often time vessel-class specific, but with the large geographic distances between crew domiciles, the crews are not cross trained on multiple vessels. For instance, if BC Ferries could get the Bowen Queen out of Deas they could do something like this (and apologies for referring the routes by name and not number, I get lost when I count past 3): Bowen Queen to Quadra Island Powell River Queen to Saltery Bay - Earls Cove Queen of Chilliwack to Powell River - Comox (on a modified three hour or whatever crossing schedule) Island Sky to Tsawassen - SGI Yes, this is a fairly involved swap. But if the Queen of Nanaimo is going to be out until further notice, it would at least restore service. The problem is, of course, crew training and qualification. This lack of flexibility really hampers BCF if there is any kind of major problem with a mid-sized or minor vessel. |
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? But I bet the route 9 regulars would be impressed with the expanded amenities. They'd all be clamoring for a Seawest Lounge on the next route 9 vessel.