|
Post by swartzbaydreaming on Jul 18, 2011 21:45:43 GMT -8
Has anyone heard of a new ferry being built for the Arrow Lake run? I saw a snippit in a local paper but can't remember where. I think it was to be based on the Osprey 2000 design. It would be interesting to know if anyone has heard of anything?
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 18, 2011 22:02:55 GMT -8
Has anyone heard of a new ferry being built for the Arrow Lake run? I saw a snippit in a local paper but can't remember where. I think it was to be based on the Osprey 2000 design. It would be interesting to know if anyone has heard of anything? I haven't heard anything specific. Last July, when I took a ride on the Francois Lake ferry, a deckhand remarked that one of the existing Francois Lake ferries was headed for Arrow Lakes. - but I've never seen any news story or Gov't news-release to back-up that comment.
|
|
|
Post by stvfishy on Jul 18, 2011 22:33:37 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 4, 2011 13:43:45 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Nov 5, 2011 16:31:26 GMT -8
This is quite an interesting piece. If option B or C is chosen either the OP or the FF will have to be 'portaged' from the Fraser drainage to the Columbia. In reality this means cutting up the vessel and trucking/railing the pieces overland and then reassemblig at Upper Arrow Lake. It also means that the OP ( Omineca Princess) will have to be enlarged substantially with vehicle carrying capacity approximately doubled. This means lengthening and or widening the car deck. It sounds like a ' Kuper'-type job to me. I can see hull sections being pre-assembled at a coastal shipyard and then moved to either Francois or Arrow lake.
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Jun 13, 2012 15:40:37 GMT -8
Great news for a BC Community. As a ferry fan a shame to not have two ship operations, but in reality a very prudent move. New Shelter Bay-Galena Bay ferry to be built in Nakuspwww.bclocalnews.com/news/158904445.htmlBy Claire Paradis - Revelstoke Times Review Published: June 13, 2012 10:00 AM Updated: June 13, 2012 4:31 PM The new ferry that will run between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay is to be built in Nakusp by WaterBridge Steel Inc. The B.C. goverment announced today that the $26.5-million contract to build the ferry has been awarded to WaterBridge Steel Inc. of Prince George. The new ferry will ply the 30-minute crossing between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay. It will be built in Nakusp, and provide employment opportunities for approximately 65 people for up to two years. “It is great news that the new ferry will be constructed in the Village of Nakusp. A project of this size will have a positive effect on our local economy," said Nakusp mayor Karen Hamling, "This will provide our businesses and residents the opportunity to showcase our spectacular scenery and unlimited recreational activities.” A drive-on, drive-off, open-decked vessel, it will be capable of transporting 80 cars and 250 passengers. Due to the ferry's larger vehicle and weight capacity, faster loading and unloading times are projected, which eliminates the need for an auxiliary ferry during the peak travel season, said Kate Trotter from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. WaterBridge Steel Inc. is owned by John Harding, who has been in the business of designing, building and operating car/truck/passenger ferries for British Columbia lakes since 1976. He was responsible for the construction and operation of the largest freight-carrying ice-breaker in the world when it went in to service on Williston Lake in 1995. The company also constructed the 2004 Francois Forester, which provides ferry service under contract with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on Francois Lake.
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 13, 2012 15:52:32 GMT -8
Dane, thanks for that news. This here will be a good thread to follow during the next 2 years of design and construction. Here is a cut/paste from the general inland-ferries thread, from a post from almost a year ago: ------------------ Here's a semi-recent update to an inland-ferry issue that we were wondering about a couple of years ago: from here: www.ldnews.net/news/125034849.html======================= Obviously, Option-A has been chosen.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2012 15:28:23 GMT -8
Have they decided on the designed for the new vessel? So, they just gone use one vessel all time including the peak summer time?
|
|
Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
|
Post by Mill Bay on Jun 27, 2012 9:41:54 GMT -8
Have they decided on the designe for the new vessel? So, they just gone use one vessel all time including the peak summer time? They will most likely keep one vessel on stand-by for peak service periods. According to BIV Magazine, it will be an open decked vessel, so expect to see something along the lines of the current vessels, only larger. Maybe something Kuper-ish in it`s design. I did also find a past feasibility study from 2004 on building a bridge there. Apparently it was found to be not feasible. www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/reports_and_studies/UpperArrowLakesFixedCrossingFeasibilityStudy.pdf
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2012 9:54:38 GMT -8
Have they decided on the designe for the new vessel? So, they just gone use one vessel all time including the peak summer time? They will most likely keep one vessel on stand-by for peak service periods. According to BIV Magazine, it will be an open decked vessel, so expect to see something along the lines of the current vessels, only larger. Maybe something Kuper-ish in it`s design. I did also find a past feasibility study from 2004 on building a bridge there. Apparently it was found to be not feasible. www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/reports_and_studies/UpperArrowLakesFixedCrossingFeasibilityStudy.pdfIf, they keep one would it be D.E.V. Galena or Shellter Bay? And for the bridge, they should build it to replace the ferries it would save money it the long term for short term during the building of the bridge it would not really save money.
|
|
|
Post by lmtengs on Jun 27, 2012 10:50:03 GMT -8
Have they decided on the designe for the new vessel? So, they just gone use one vessel all time including the peak summer time? They will most likely keep one vessel on stand-by for peak service periods. According to BIV Magazine, it will be an open decked vessel, so expect to see something along the lines of the current vessels, only larger. Maybe something Kuper-ish in it`s design. I'd guess something more Osprey 2000-ish. It's a tried and true design on inland waters, so why not duplicate it? She also carries exactly 80 vehicles and 250 passengers, which is exactly what they state they want. Osprey 2014, here we come!
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Jun 27, 2012 12:57:01 GMT -8
They will most likely keep one vessel on stand-by for peak service periods. Not according to the news release from BC Local News. There will be a single vessel in operation. Due to the ferry's larger vehicle and weight capacity, faster loading and unloading times are projected, which eliminates the need for an auxiliary ferry during the peak travel season, said Kate Trotter from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
|
Post by Neil on Jun 27, 2012 13:49:11 GMT -8
They will most likely keep one vessel on stand-by for peak service periods. According to BIV Magazine, it will be an open decked vessel, so expect to see something along the lines of the current vessels, only larger. Maybe something Kuper-ish in it`s design. I'd guess something more Osprey 2000-ish. It's a tried and true design on inland waters, so why not duplicate it? She also carries exactly 80 vehicles and 250 passengers, which is exactly what they state they want. Osprey 2014, here we come! Very unlikely to resemble the Osprey 2000. That boat cost $20 million when the contract was awarded back in '97 or so, and costs of labour, steel, and other components have risen significantly. This boat is only costing $6.5 million more. The Osprey was a 'one off', built to service what is billed as the longest free ferry route in the world, and not meant to be a model for any other interior route. The Upper Arrow Lake route is considerably shorter, and the vessels currently there are bare essentials. Also, take into account that the builder constructed the Francois Forester; if future riders get anything more extravagant than a self-propelled barge with a very modest passenger lounge, they can probably count themselves very lucky. On the plus side, this new vessel may actually offer more effective capacity, even though it's projected 80 cars matches the two current vessels on the route. The inland ferries website mentions that the Galena will sail with empty deck space if heavy commercial vehicles cause it to reach maximum carrying load. This vessel will be much larger, and so may be able to accommodate all traffic. I hope the province is getting a fixed price contract, as 'one off' vessels like this can go over budget, where shipbuilders don't have economies of scale. This will not be the biggest vessel Waterbridge has constructed, though- that would be the 360' Williston Transporter, very ugly, but I suppose, very efficient.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2012 15:52:34 GMT -8
They will most likely keep one vessel on stand-by for peak service periods. According to BIV Magazine, it will be an open decked vessel, so expect to see something along the lines of the current vessels, only larger. Maybe something Kuper-ish in it`s design. I'd guess something more Osprey 2000-ish. It's a tried and true design on inland waters, so why not duplicate it? She also carries exactly 80 vehicles and 250 passengers, which is exactly what they state the want. Osprey 2014, here we come! I would say it would, most likely, be Francois Forester-ish but 80 vehicles and 250 passengers or the second, most likely, is the Osprey 200O but with ramps on her. :-*
|
|
Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
|
Post by Mill Bay on Jun 27, 2012 18:44:26 GMT -8
I'm unsure if not having a relief vessel would be short sighted in any way, since the new vessel would exceed the current capacity of the route, Let's just hope it does not appear like the Fracois Forrester.
I'm sure I will also completely shock Neil by commenting that, even though it has its own page in the Ugly Ships Files, I actually don't think the Williston Transporter is all that bad looking.
|
|
|
Post by lmtengs on Jun 27, 2012 19:12:49 GMT -8
I'm sure I will also completely shock Neil by commenting that, even though it has its own page in the Ugly Ships Files, I actually don't think the Williston Transporter is all that bad looking. I was afraid to comment the same thing, but now that somebody else has, I guess I'll back Ernie up with that
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
|
Post by Neil on Jun 30, 2012 16:44:26 GMT -8
I'm sure I will also completely shock Neil by commenting that, even though it has its own page in the Ugly Ships Files, I actually don't think the Williston Transporter is all that bad looking. I was afraid to comment the same thing, but now that somebody else has, I guess I'll back Ernie up with that I guess it is kind of pointless to criticize a log carrier for its looks. I would imagine she's the largest (at least self-powered) vessel ever on one of our lakes?
|
|
|
Post by lmtengs on Jun 30, 2012 22:42:31 GMT -8
I was afraid to comment the same thing, but now that somebody else has, I guess I'll back Ernie up with that I guess it is kind of pointless to criticize a log carrier for its looks. I would imagine she's the largest (at least self-powered) vessel ever on one of our lakes? Not counting Pitt Lake, which occasionally gets some pretty big vessels from the ocean running up there, I wouldn't be surprised if she is. Harrison might get some larger ships too, since the lake is connected to the ocean via the Fraser.
|
|
Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
|
Post by Mill Bay on Oct 2, 2012 15:52:12 GMT -8
Link to an interesting blog article on Water Bridge Steel of Prince George, the company building the new Arrow Lakes ferry. Interesting features include an inside view of the Omineca Princess' engine compartment, and Voith Schneider type propellers (VSP) that power the MV Galena and the Shelter Bay. Also, if you follow the hyperlink for the MV Babine Charger, it links back to us, or at least one of our archived threads. dieselduck.blogspot.ca/2012/06/cutting-steel-in-bc.html#.UGt4iJjAd8EAlso an update on the story from The Castlegar Source
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Jan 28, 2013 12:14:00 GMT -8
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2013 18:11:51 GMT -8
Great link. Hopefully, I will be able to go to arrow lakes when the boat is in service. The design is awesome. I think the Ministry of Highways and Transportation should go Hybrid or Liquefied Natural Gas with all the new vessel including this one.
|
|
|
Post by stvfishy on Feb 1, 2013 12:34:28 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by stvfishy on Feb 3, 2013 2:01:44 GMT -8
OK found the contractor info - contract awarded to Waterbridge Steel: www.tmtv.net/BCTV_contract_new_ferry_arrow_lake_nakusp_bc_canada_news_kootenays_june_13_2012.htm
Contract awarded to build new ferry for Arrow Lake
NAKUSP BC – Construction of a new ferry for the Upper Arrow Lake route will create local employment and ensure that this safe and reliable transportation service continues for West Kootenay families, businesses and visitors.
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom – “This project will provide good jobs for skilled tradespeople in British Columbia. The fact that a British Columbia company was the successful bidder in this competitive process shows that we do have the expertise here to design and build vessels to serve the travelling public.” The government of British Columbia has awarded a $26.5-million contract to WaterBridge Steel Inc. of Prince George to construct a new ferry for the 30-minute crossing between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay. It will be built in Nakusp, and provide employment opportunities for approximately 65 people for up to two years. Mayor of Nakusp, Karen Hamling – “It is great news that the new ferry will be constructed in the Village of Nakusp. A project of this size will have a positive effect on our local economy. This will provide our businesses and residents the opportunity to showcase our spectacular scenery and unlimited recreational activities.” The new vessel will be drive-on, drive-off, open-decked, and capable of transporting 80 cars and 250 passengers. It will have a larger vehicle and weight capacity, and faster loading and unloading times, which eliminates the need for an auxiliary ferry during the peak travel season. · WaterBridge Steel Inc. is owned by John Harding, who has been in the business of designing, building and operating car/truck/passenger ferries for British Columbia lakes since 1976. He was responsible for the construction and operation of the largest freight-carrying ice-breaker in the world when it went in to service on Williston Lake in 1995. The company also constructed the 2004 Francois Forester, which provides ferry service under contract with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on Francois Lake. · Inland ferries are used on routes where lake or river crossings are a less-costly alternative to building roads or bridges. For example, the Upper Arrow Lake route between Galena Bay and Shelter Bay reduces a car trip from Nelson to Revelstoke from eight hours to four hours. · In 2011, the existing ferries on Upper Arrow Lake carried 218,658 automobile equivalents and 294,694 passengers. Rendering of the Completed Vessel - more or less final design - Name and paint scheme are still to be determined.www.waterbridgesteel.com/ESW/Images/UAL_BOW_3332X2156X98_dpi.jpg-- Galleries June - August 2012 - Site Preparation August - September 2012 - Site Infrastructure UpgradesSeptember 2012 - keel Laying:October - November 2012 - Midship Section Takes Shape December 2012 - Racing to Get The Midship enclosed January 2013. Working under the big top.
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Feb 19, 2013 10:08:11 GMT -8
If you are interested in following the progress of construction for the new Upper Arrow Lakes ferry* keep an eye on the website of the builder, WaterBridge Steel Inc: www.waterbridgesteel.com/index.htmlOn that site you can also find information and photos of previous new builds they have constructed including the Francois Forester and the Williston Transporter. *Note that the artist's rendering of the vessel being constructed shows it to be a little different than what we have seen previously. It is no Osprey 2000 in terms of its appearance, though it does look better than the Francois Forester, IMHO. Image: WaterBridge Steel Inc.
|
|
|
Post by stvfishy on Mar 8, 2013 13:59:12 GMT -8
|
|