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Post by Mike C on May 3, 2020 18:30:01 GMT -8
"Please be advised that the Baynes Sound Connector has added and cancelled sailings on May 3, 2020 due to required maintenance work taking place overnight to replace a guide cable. "
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7480
Service will end at 1900h this evening. Is this guide cable replacement a result of media/resident pressure? I know there have been some media reports and some rather striking photos in the last year or so of the ongoing shedding of the plastic coating (well documented on this forum).
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on May 3, 2020 22:08:53 GMT -8
"Please be advised that the Baynes Sound Connector has added and cancelled sailings on May 3, 2020 due to required maintenance work taking place overnight to replace a guide cable. "
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7480
Service will end at 1900h this evening. Is this guide cable replacement a result of media/resident pressure? I know there have been some media reports and some rather striking photos in the last year or so of the ongoing shedding of the plastic coating (well documented on this forum). To their credit, BC Ferries did admit several months ago that the cables had not worked out quite as planned. The plastic, not really a 'coating' but rather, infused throughout the metal as a dry lubricant, was wearing off in a way that was not forecast. Hard to say if they would have been upfront about this if Denman and Hornby islanders had not called them on it by collecting the debris from beaches.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 2, 2020 11:04:50 GMT -8
Well, this will be expensive. The Powell River Queen is out of commission, and the Bowen Queen has to be sent to Q Cove until repairs are complete. Water taxi for the rest of today. Anyone know where the Bowen has been docked lately? www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7614
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Post by Curtis on Jun 2, 2020 11:25:01 GMT -8
Anyone know where the Bowen has been docked lately? Oh, sometimes at Vesuvius, sometimes at Crofton, other times in between. After a quick look on MarineTraffic, It appears the Mayne Queen has come to the rescue on Route 6 in the meantime.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 2, 2020 12:21:05 GMT -8
Anyone know where the Bowen has been docked lately? Oh, sometimes at Vesuvius, sometimes at Crofton, other times in between. After a quick look on MarineTraffic, It appears the Mayne Queen has come to the rescue on Route 6 in the meantime. Good grief. I'm losing it. Forgot all about the Bowen's current assignment.
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Post by paddlehardercafe on Jun 10, 2020 11:44:50 GMT -8
MV Quinitsa just arrived at Fulford Harbour for layaway after working route 22. Pressed into service and will sail in place of the Queen of Cumberland due to the mechanical difficulty the vessel is experiencing with one of its' generators. As a very rare vessel in the southern gulf islands...….. "does anyone know how to drive this?" www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7634
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 25, 2020 20:37:42 GMT -8
For those of us who fixate on minor stuff (like me), there's been a refreshing change in the wording of BC Ferries' services notices.
Gone is the standard statement about extra time to 'safely load' vehicles on the vessel. I mean... doesn't BC Ferries always safely load their traffic? Also, no more "we want to make sure we get as many customers as possible to their destination". Again... doesn't that go without saying?
Now we're seeing references to traffic volumes, and in the case of a notice tonight about the Queen of Cumberland, "extra time to load the vessel using both platform decks."
It's almost as if a real human being is writing the service notices. May it continue.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 26, 2020 13:15:22 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 26, 2020 13:18:07 GMT -8
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Post by 1foot2ships on Jun 29, 2020 13:38:17 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 29, 2020 14:14:39 GMT -8
Here's the mention from 4 hours ago: Here
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Post by 1foot2ships on Jun 30, 2020 12:04:05 GMT -8
oh... ok. sorry.
mods: please delete this, plus the response plus my original
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Post by Mike C on Jun 30, 2020 12:51:52 GMT -8
oh... ok. sorry. mods: please delete this, plus the response plus my original Members are able to delete their own posts at their discretion, by clicking on the gear-icon in the top right corner, and selecting “Delete Post”.
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dave2
Chief Steward
Deckhand!: Todo: Introduction post (I was born less than 100 feet from the ocean. The tide was...)
Posts: 155
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Post by dave2 on Jun 30, 2020 16:26:25 GMT -8
oh... ok. sorry. mods: please delete this, plus the response plus my original It's okay, my post only mentioned the Coastal Renaissance breakdown, yours included the Queen of Cowichan/Oak Bay rescue story. A busy day indeed.
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Post by 1foot2ships on Jul 6, 2020 10:59:42 GMT -8
this originated in the COVID19 - BCF Response thread but im continuing it here...
dont be so quick to call yourself incorrect Koastal Karl. i think you what you said plus what Blue Bus Fan said is the combined correct answer.
the service notice said these were additional sailings so my math doesnt add up any other way unless they go three boats for the L-route. i think the end result will be CR switched with Cowichan and then Cowichan assuming those new sailings listed on the service notice.
all these musical chairs last few weeks for what? -exactly the same schedule as last summer! crewing must be going bonkers...
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 6, 2020 16:52:17 GMT -8
this originated in the COVID19 - BCF Response thread but im continuing it here... dont be so quick to call yourself incorrect Koastal Karl. i think you what you said plus what Blue Bus Fan said is the combined correct answer. the service notice said these were additional sailings so my math doesnt add up any other way unless they go three boats for the L-route. i think the end result will be CR switched with Cowichan and then Cowichan assuming those new sailings listed on the service notice. all these musical chairs last few weeks for what? -exactly the same schedule as last summer! crewing must be going bonkers... The reservation page does say Queen of Coquitlam.
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Post by priver on Jul 15, 2020 11:46:22 GMT -8
Island discovery is being pulled by tug right now I’m assuming to saltery bay so the Salish Eagle can dock at Texada while the switchboard cooling system is fixed.
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Post by priver on Jul 15, 2020 11:48:46 GMT -8
From northern island ferry advisory committee
1. Discovery repair plans. We are working on sourcing required parts to help make this repair, and at this point, there are a couple of different possible sources for parts. Depending on when they arrive, we are not sure when the repairs will be complete. The timeline for return to service could be anywhere from 2-5 days. 2. Alternate service plan. The Quadra Queen II (lower capacity than the Discovery…approx. 26-30 vehicles) is available, and we are moving it from Buckley Bay (just south of Comox) to Blubber Bay as soon as we can. It would likely arrive with a crew sometime after approx. 1600 today. However, the Route 18 crew members who are available to sail it are not familiar with operating it on this route…and would need at least a few hours to conduct dock trials, sea trials, etc. They will have been up since earlier this morning in preparing the ship for the move and sailing it to Texada, so this means there would not be an opportunity to provide any vehicle service on the route today (they will be ‘timed out’ for sure). In the meantime, Operations are looking as having the Salish Eagle make two stops into Blubber Bay as part of their regular sailings of the ‘first afternoon’ return trips. That is, they would stop at Blubber after leaving Comox at the 1525 sailing (arriving at Blubber around 1600ish), pick up as many Texada vehicles as they can fit in the remaining deck space, and continue on to Westview. Then, when they leave Westview at 1715, they would again stop at Blubber to drop off Texada customers and continue to Comox. Again, the limit of how many vehicles bound for Texada they will take when leaving Westview will depend on how many Comox customers are on this sailing. To be clear, there will be no allocation set for Texada, nor will Comox-P.River traffic be limited to save space. Rather, this will be an opportunity for Texada customers only depending on how much space would be available. Although very limited vehicle opportunities today, this at least could provide one chance for people to get off and on Texada with a vehicle today. Thursday (and likely beyond) service. The QQII will have just this one crew, and working the maximum number of hours tomorrow will mean that the entire ‘regular schedule’ for Route 18 is not possible. The decision is therefore to sail the regular times, but not offer the first round-trip (0600/0650) and last two round-trips (ie. last sailing would be 1800 from Westview) of the day. Water taxi. This service will remain in effect today, and very likely be offered before QQII starts service tomorrow morning (ie. because that first round-trip will be cancelled) and maybe after 1800 again. Summary. - No vehicle service today, but water taxi to continue to/from Van Anda. - QQII to provide service Thursday, but with the first and last two round-trips cancelled. Water taxi likely to fill in those periods in some way. - Parts are being sourced, and full repair/return to service for Discovery will become clearer later today or tomorrow. - Service Notice being updated to reflect above
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Post by northwesterner on Jul 15, 2020 13:38:33 GMT -8
From northern island ferry advisory committee 1. Discovery repair plans. We are working on sourcing required parts to help make this repair, and at this point, there are a couple of different possible sources for parts. Depending on when they arrive, we are not sure when the repairs will be complete. The timeline for return to service could be anywhere from 2-5 days. 2. Alternate service plan. The Quadra Queen II (lower capacity than the Discovery…approx. 26-30 vehicles) is available, and we are moving it from Buckley Bay (just south of Comox) to Blubber Bay as soon as we can. It would likely arrive with a crew sometime after approx. 1600 today. However, the Route 18 crew members who are available to sail it are not familiar with operating it on this route…and would need at least a few hours to conduct dock trials, sea trials, etc. They will have been up since earlier this morning in preparing the ship for the move and sailing it to Texada, so this means there would not be an opportunity to provide any vehicle service on the route today (they will be ‘timed out’ for sure). In the meantime, Operations are looking as having the Salish Eagle make two stops into Blubber Bay as part of their regular sailings of the ‘first afternoon’ return trips. That is, they would stop at Blubber after leaving Comox at the 1525 sailing (arriving at Blubber around 1600ish), pick up as many Texada vehicles as they can fit in the remaining deck space, and continue on to Westview. Then, when they leave Westview at 1715, they would again stop at Blubber to drop off Texada customers and continue to Comox. Again, the limit of how many vehicles bound for Texada they will take when leaving Westview will depend on how many Comox customers are on this sailing. To be clear, there will be no allocation set for Texada, nor will Comox-P.River traffic be limited to save space. Rather, this will be an opportunity for Texada customers only depending on how much space would be available. Although very limited vehicle opportunities today, this at least could provide one chance for people to get off and on Texada with a vehicle today. Thursday (and likely beyond) service. The QQII will have just this one crew, and working the maximum number of hours tomorrow will mean that the entire ‘regular schedule’ for Route 18 is not possible. The decision is therefore to sail the regular times, but not offer the first round-trip (0600/0650) and last two round-trips (ie. last sailing would be 1800 from Westview) of the day. Water taxi. This service will remain in effect today, and very likely be offered before QQII starts service tomorrow morning (ie. because that first round-trip will be cancelled) and maybe after 1800 again. Summary. - No vehicle service today, but water taxi to continue to/from Van Anda. - QQII to provide service Thursday, but with the first and last two round-trips cancelled. Water taxi likely to fill in those periods in some way. - Parts are being sourced, and full repair/return to service for Discovery will become clearer later today or tomorrow. - Service Notice being updated to reflect above Zero operational flexibility at BCF rears its ugly head again. Have a ship but ... don't have a qualified crew, don't know if the ship will fit the docks, not sure when we can get that figured out, etc, etc, etc. Mind boggling.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jul 15, 2020 19:16:26 GMT -8
Zero operational flexibility at BCF rears its ugly head again. Have a ship but ... don't have a qualified crew, don't know if the ship will fit the docks, not sure when we can get that figured out, etc, etc, etc. Mind boggling. Can't quite agree with your exasperation. I'm assuming the North Island Princess has been de-commissioned, so she's not an option. They're left with the QQII. I doubt that there's any mystery as to whether she'll fit the docks, since she's a twin sister to Tachek, which has subbed for the NIP in recent years. Must be a matter of the crew learning how to dock the vessel. I would think this probably speaks to BC Ferries' determination to standardize the fleet, so as to be able to adjust to circumstances on the fly. At least they had the QQII at Buckley Bay. A difficult few days for Texada, just as summer travel is ramping up to more normal levels.
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Post by Shane on Jul 16, 2020 7:32:40 GMT -8
Quadra Queen II is currently moored at Blubber Bay on Texada right now but will not be put into service today due to unknown reasons. Salish Eagle will be making stops at Texada today on it’s trips between Powell River and Little River. What a mess! www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7960
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Post by Starsteward on Jul 16, 2020 10:07:56 GMT -8
Quadra Queen II is currently moored at Blubber Bay on Texada right now but will not be put into service today due to unknown reasons. Salish Eagle will be making stops at Texada today on it’s trips between Powell River and Little River. What a mess! www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7960 I think if I was the Minister of Transportation, responsible for the operations at BCFS, I would be 'requesting' some explanation as to why this new vessel is experiencing this sort of problem and whether or not we are likely to see this occur with the other new vessel? The constituents of the ridings involved with this "inconvenience" deserve an explanation as they had high hopes for their new vessel eh?
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Post by Kahn_C on Jul 16, 2020 11:28:38 GMT -8
Quadra Queen II is currently moored at Blubber Bay on Texada right now but will not be put into service today due to unknown reasons. Salish Eagle will be making stops at Texada today on it’s trips between Powell River and Little River. What a mess! www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7960She's returning to Buckley Bay, cause is supposedly unspecified dock fit issues at Westview.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jul 16, 2020 11:32:16 GMT -8
Quadra Queen II is currently moored at Blubber Bay on Texada right now but will not be put into service today due to unknown reasons. Salish Eagle will be making stops at Texada today on it’s trips between Powell River and Little River. What a mess! www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7960She's returning to Buckley Bay, cause is supposedly unspecified dock fit issues at Westview. If true, that's hard to figure. Dock must have been modified since the last time Tachek used it.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jul 16, 2020 12:17:24 GMT -8
She's returning to Buckley Bay, cause is supposedly unspecified dock fit issues at Westview. If true, that's hard to figure. Dock must have been modified since the last time Tachek used it. I wonder if BC Ferries will send the Island Aurora down to service the Blubber Bay route? I hope the Island Discovery is out for that long of time.
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