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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 12:56:37 GMT -8
OK, following some discussion in the Coastal Renaissance thread I figured it would be worth making a thread for this season's refits.
Current vessels in refit:
Kuper (Drydocking)
Queen of Cowichan (Deas)
Queen of Alberni (Deas)
Also an upcoming refit is the 3/4 life for the Queen of Oak Bay. Somewhat worth mentioning is that the Queen of New Westminster will see service on route 1 this winter, and Route 2 travellers get the Coastal Renaissance for the Christmas Season.
In January, the Queen of Capilano is taken out of service for her MLU, and will be replaced as always by the Bowen Queen. For those that don't know, the Cappy is getting some significant changes done, which include direct access into the lounge from the overhead walkway, and the addition of fixed platform decks, which will bring the vehicle capacity up to 97.
And of course, the Queen of Chilliwack and Northern Adventure laid up at Deas Dock, likely only getting some minor work. The Chilliwack's in-service days are numbered, I don't expect her to get out much between now and 2017.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Oct 21, 2014 17:07:26 GMT -8
According to the reservation page there is no Queen of New West on route 1 that I can see this winter. The Renaissance is on route 2 over Christmas with the Coquitlam but what I see that is odd is that they dont have extra sailings on route 2 on days leading up to Christmas unless they havent put them up yet. The Coquitlam and Cowichan will be running after the Holiday schedule on route 2 and the Renaissance is back on route 1 so where are you getting info about the New West on route 1?? It would be nice if the Renaissance would stay up in Nanaimo!!
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Mayne
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Post by Mayne on Oct 21, 2014 17:56:32 GMT -8
According to the reservation page there is no Queen of New West on route 1 that I can see this winter. The Renaissance is on route 2 over Christmas with the Coquitlam but what I see that is odd is that they dont have extra sailings on route 2 on days leading up to Christmas unless they havent put them up yet. The Coquitlam and Cowichan will be running after the Holiday schedule on route 2 and the Renaissance is back on route 1 so where are you getting info about the New West on route 1?? It would be nice if the Renaissance would stay up in Nanaimo!! She runs Route 1 on the 19th, 23rd, 26th of December and I am sure more but that is all I really feel like looking up for you. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Oct 21, 2014 18:36:25 GMT -8
I know she usually runs during Christmas but other than that I don't know either cause the Rennie usually replaces the SOBC at some point so unless the New West is gonna do that I only see her on route 1 over the holidays!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 21:33:23 GMT -8
I'm unsure of the exact dates, either. I imagine that the New West will tie up after the Christmas rush, leaving double Coastal service on route 1, and double Cowichan service on route 2.  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 12, 2014 19:13:41 GMT -8
From a Powell River Peak news story on the Nov.5, 2014 FAC meeting for north Sunshine Coast: from here: NEWS |
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Post by northwesterner on Nov 12, 2014 19:43:05 GMT -8
From a Powell River Peak news story on the Nov.5, 2014 FAC meeting for north Sunshine Coast: from here: NEWSIntriguing that they are planning on using the Bowen Queen at Saltery Bay. They are doing everything they can to avoid using of the Queen of Chilliwack. So much for that big refit a few years ago. The Powell River Queen had her lower passenger decks removed for increased overheight clearance on the Saltery Bay route ages ago. I suspect the Bowen Queen will have less than adequate overheight capacity when she serves on that route. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Nov 12, 2014 19:53:25 GMT -8
Way to go BC Ferries the Chilliwack carries more vehicles and passengers than the Bowen Queen but lets put the Bowen on Jervis Inlet that really makes sense. Has there been waits when the Bowen has been on Jervis Inlet???
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Post by Mike C on Nov 12, 2014 20:20:41 GMT -8
From a Powell River Peak news story on the Nov.5, 2014 FAC meeting for north Sunshine Coast: from here: NEWSIntriguing that they are planning on using the Bowen Queen at Saltery Bay. They are doing everything they can to avoid using of the Queen of Chilliwack. So much for that big refit a few years ago. The Powell River Queen had her lower passenger decks removed for increased overheight clearance on the Saltery Bay route ages ago. I suspect the Bowen Queen will have less than adequate overheight capacity when she serves on that route. This has already been done once before. We did a forum trip on her when this happened:  Bowen Queen, Earls Cove by MileagePhoto, on Flickr. Taken February 25, 2012. Based on our observation, there was not much in the way of sailing waits or capacity issues (this being on a weekend in February). Way to go BC Ferries the Chilliwack carries more vehicles and passengers than the Bowen Queen but lets put the Bowen on Jervis Inlet that really makes sense. Has there been waits when the Bowen has been on Jervis Inlet??? Not that I am aware of. I think BCFS had a relatively successful trial with the Bowen Queen on Route 7, although some actual figures backing up that statement are necessary. Definitely a fairly blatant move by BCFS to make it appear both on paper and in reality that the Chilliwack is now an unnecessary asset. There are also some logistical issues with using the Chilliwack these days - she needs a modified schedule to operate at 11-12 knots, or she will burn an excess amount of fuel from operating at full speed. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2014 16:03:55 GMT -8
The Coastal Renaissance assumed the #1 position out of Tsawwassen on route 1 today. This is likely the beginning of the SOBC annual refit...
I expect to see the CR on route 1 until the Christmas Season begins.
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Post by Ferryman on Nov 20, 2014 13:19:06 GMT -8
Deas is a full house right now. We have:
Queen of Oak Bay in berth 1
Queen of New Westminster in berth 2
Kuper in berth 3
Northern Adventure in berth 4
Queen of Chilliwack at berth 6/7
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 20, 2014 13:22:01 GMT -8
Deas is a full house right now. We have: Queen of Oak Bay in berth 1 Queen of New Westminster in berth 2 Kuper in berth 3 Northern Adventure in berth 4
Queen of Chilliwack at berth 6/7Those last two are just parked there, taking up space. BC Ferries could store these elsewhere, if they needed the space. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Nov 22, 2014 10:14:14 GMT -8
what is up with these damn Coastal's on route 1??? I thought the Spirit's usually go for refit Jan-March?? The Spirit's are back in service over the holidays. The SOVI is #2 until next Sunday then she goes back to #1. The SOBC will be #2 in January out of Swartz Bay but what are they doing right now with the SOBC???
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 10:22:07 GMT -8
what is up with these damn Coastal's on route 1??? I thought the Spirit's usually go for refit Jan-March?? The Spirit's are back in service over the holidays. The SOVI is #2 until next Sunday then she goes back to #1. The SOBC will be #2 in January out of Swartz Bay but what are they doing right now with the SOBC??? Simple answer: she's tied up to save the company money. Whether she's undergoing refit or not, is not in my level of knowledge. I have to agree though, the Coastals have been inadequate for route 1 as of late. But the same could be said for an Alberni placement on route 3.  |
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Post by Ferryman on Nov 22, 2014 13:52:44 GMT -8
The SOBC is essentially laid up right now. Her refit isn't scheduled until February I believe. There is likely a small crew aboard making sure all checklists and maintenance is all in check though. January is when the SOVI goes to refit.
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 22, 2014 14:03:11 GMT -8
The SOBC is essentially laid up right now. Her refit isn't scheduled until February I believe. There is likely a small crew aboard making sure all checklists and maintenance is all in check though. January is when the SOVI goes to refit. The refit schedule for the Spirits really has not changed much over the last decade, or maybe two decades. Its always been Jan to Mar, I think. As for the Spirits being pulled in favour of Coastals, BCFS has been doing this for a few years now. The idea they say is that it costs less to operate Coastals than it does Spirits and if Coastals meet the demand then that is what they go with the substitutions. At this time of year (Nov through March with Christmas season excepted) demand is lower and Coastal class vessels provide generally adequate supply to meet that demand. Having said this, I too would rather travel on a Spirit, but I am biased. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 20:06:06 GMT -8
The refit schedule for the Spirits really has not changed much over the last decade, or maybe two decades. Its always been Jan to Mar, I think. As for the Spirits being pulled in favour of Coastals, BCFS has been doing this for a few years now. The idea they say is that it costs less to operate Coastals than it does Spirits and if Coastals meet the demand then that is what they go with the substitutions. At this time of year (Nov through March with Christmas season excepted) demand is lower and Coastal class vessels provide generally adequate supply to meet that demand. Having said this, I too would rather travel on a Spirit, but I am biased. I have to disagree re Coastals being adequate at this time of year. Virtually every sailing except for the 2100 has been departing full, and often at 130%+ capacity. Having said that, I think they are a good fit for the quietest time of year, ie January and February. Looking at paper stats though, Coastals are definitely a good fit for now, as all traffic is carried by the end of the day. |
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 22, 2014 22:02:01 GMT -8
BCFS believes that they are a good fit (i.e. space versus demand) for this time of year, and that is all that really counts. A Spirit carries 410 cars versus 370 on a Coastal; not that much difference (~10% on vehicle capacity).
Another question, when the passenger volume is high on route one (which is fairly often) people on this forum would often comment about how crowded they perceived a Spirit class vessel to be. Further, they would comment that the Coastal class vessels felt much more spacious. So the question is, do members here, still feel that that is the case today?
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Nov 22, 2014 23:11:34 GMT -8
Personally I would much rather travel on a Spirit vs Coastal. The Spirit's are actual BC Ferries built in BC which I love. The Coastal look more like an overseas ferry. I mean interior wise they are the same pretty much but I still prefer the good ol Spirit's. Plus they dont have decals plastered all over them. Spirit's rule!
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Post by Cable Cassidy on Nov 22, 2014 23:16:34 GMT -8
Personally I would much rather travel on a Spirit vs Coastal. The Spirit's are actual BC Ferries built in BC which I love. The Coastal look more like an overseas ferry. I mean interior wise they are the same pretty much but I still prefer the good ol Spirit's. Plus they dont have decals plastered all over them. Spirit's rule! We should get rid of the real nasty looking "overseas ferry", the Chilliwack. Like common, the Spirits look like beauty queens compared to that "overseas ferry" |
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Post by Mike C on Nov 22, 2014 23:18:00 GMT -8
Another question, when the passenger volume is high on route one (which is fairly often) people on this forum would often comment about how crowded they perceived a Spirit class vessel to be. Further, they would comment that the Coastal class vessels felt much more spacious. So the question is, do members here, still feel that that is the case today? From the perspective of a foot passenger on a full sailing, yes. I dislike the large lounges of the Spirit ferries, that bring back some not-so-fond memories of the Northern Adventure. These lounges can be loud and crowded. I also dislike the inadequate cafeteria space. I tend to have a hard time finding a place to sit on the Spirits during full sailings, more so than other classes of ferries. (I've done the backpack-on-the-floor a few times). There are some redeeming qualities however, including the large buffet and outdoor forward viewing area, both great hiding places on full sailings. On a sailing that has, say, a half-load, I actually prefer the Spirits over the Coastals. |
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Post by roeco on Dec 9, 2014 18:27:57 GMT -8
OK, following some discussion in the Coastal Renaissance thread I figured it would be worth making a thread for this season's refits. Current vessels in refit: Kuper (Drydocking) Queen of Cowichan (Deas) Queen of Alberni (Deas) Also an upcoming refit is the 3/4 life for the Queen of Oak Bay. Somewhat worth mentioning is that the Queen of New Westminster will see service on route 1 this winter, and Route 2 travellers get the Coastal Renaissance for the Christmas Season. In January, the Queen of Capilano is taken out of service for her MLU, and will be replaced as always by the Bowen Queen. For those that don't know, the Cappy is getting some significant changes done, which include direct access into the lounge from the overhead walkway, and the addition of fixed platform decks, which will bring the vehicle capacity up to 97. And of course, the Queen of Chilliwack and Northern Adventure laid up at Deas Dock, likely only getting some minor work. The Chilliwack's in-service days are numbered, I don't expect her to get out much between now and 2017. I wonder why they wouldn't use the Chilliwack on other routes for refits...Im sure theirs a number of routes she could do without any problems..Could she not replace the Nanaimo? Maybe they will sell the Chilli she would be ideal for a small operator doing coastal cruises...
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 9, 2014 18:37:22 GMT -8
Personally I think the Chilliwack should be on Jervis Inlet permenantly and the Island Sky should go to Bowen Island and the Capilano should go to route 5 with the Cumberland and use the Mayne Queen as an extra like the Bowen. But that is just me!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2014 18:59:57 GMT -8
I wonder why they wouldn't use the Chilliwack on other routes for refits...Im sure theirs a number of routes she could do without any problems..Could she not replace the Nanaimo? Maybe they will sell the Chilli she would be ideal for a small operator doing coastal cruises...
Her full capacity is adequate in the off-season on route 9, but the Nanaimo seems to be operated at 14-15 knots, an impossibility for the Queen of Chilliwack - her maximum speed is about 13 knots (and any Martinis enjoyed aboard would be shaken, not stirred). The other problem is those gallery decks, which are fine, but the second one seriously reduces overheight vehicle capacity. I feel like she could be great for route 5 again. But I think the vehicle deck doors would need to be re-expanded to accommodate any commercial traffic on route 5. I believe they were re-inforced to comply with strengthened regulations following the sinking of the Estonia. |
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Post by priver on Apr 29, 2015 16:16:29 GMT -8
Looks like the cap to is out on sea trials
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