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Post by Dane on Jan 17, 2018 15:40:35 GMT -8
^ Exactly. If anything the ‘Chilliwack was a symbol of the long term failures of fleet renewal for BC Ferries spanning two decades than anything else. She was inappropriate from Day 1 and slid downhill from there.
Ultimately is the Sea Wolf the 100% solution? No. But BC Ferries was told to buy a used ship quickly. And they did. A great example of flawed government policy that got us to that point too, but at this point it what it is. I’d rather we spend $20 million now and make the best of the situation. And the $10 million for dock upgrades would have been needed for any solution really so better now than later, these things only get more expensive as you move on.
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Post by jwjsamster on Jan 17, 2018 16:04:32 GMT -8
Also you forgot to add in the loss that BC Ferries sold the Queen of Chilliwack into your math here... We already had a boat for this route! Well, she was near the end of her regulatory life, and didn't really work well, and even missed her final week of Discovery Coast service being broken down. So we had a boat that didn't work and would keep needing continual Band-Aid dollars to keep it certified in Canada. It's somewhat of an urban legend that the Queen of Chilliwack was a good ship at the end. People looked at the $$ spent on improvements and assumed that they added enduring value to the ship. They didn't. They just added a few years of regulatory compliance exceptions. I didn't realize the wack was in such a grim state, my mistake. All the same we could have gotten a ship much more suited for the route had it been planned out better
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Post by Dane on Jan 17, 2018 16:24:34 GMT -8
I find it shocking it had enough left in it for Fijian service. Although it appears that it is very unreliable now which isn’t a surprise. Lots of stuff in social media of frequent cancellations and delayed sailings!
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 17, 2018 22:11:33 GMT -8
^ Exactly. If anything the ‘Chilliwack was a symbol of the long term failures of fleet renewal for BC Ferries spanning two decades than anything else. She was inappropriate from Day 1 and slid downhill from there. Ultimately is the Sea Wolf the 100% solution? No. But BC Ferries was told to buy a used ship quickly. And they did. A great example of flawed government policy that got us to that point too, but at this point it what it is. I’d rather we spend $20 million now and make the best of the situation. And the $10 million for dock upgrades would have been needed for any solution really so better now than later, these things only get more expensive as you move on. It was a politically motivated (and idiotic) decision for the previous government to axe route 40, and then they pretended to come up with a great new idea to re-invent the service all over again, after they got rid of the ' Chilliwack. It would have been a long project to build a new vessel, so the Mr. Shoppy boat was purchased. It's probably far too small and definitely expensive, but at least a fair bit of the refit work is being done here in B.C., providing employment and some revenue flowing back to the government. Might be a case of making the best of a bad situation and bad decisions.
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Post by mybidness459 on Jan 18, 2018 18:01:05 GMT -8
^ Exactly. If anything the ‘Chilliwack was a symbol of the long term failures of fleet renewal for BC Ferries spanning two decades than anything else. She was inappropriate from Day 1 and slid downhill from there. Ultimately is the Sea Wolf the 100% solution? No. But BC Ferries was told to buy a used ship quickly. And they did. A great example of flawed government policy that got us to that point too, but at this point it what it is. I’d rather we spend $20 million now and make the best of the situation. And the $10 million for dock upgrades would have been needed for any solution really so better now than later, these things only get more expensive as you move on. It was a politically motivated (and idiotic) decision for the previous government to axe route 40, and then they pretended to come up with a great new idea to re-invent the service all over again, after they got rid of the ' Chilliwack. It would have been a long project to build a new vessel, so the Mr. Shoppy boat was purchased. It's probably far too small and definitely expensive, but at least a fair bit of the refit work is being done here in B.C., providing employment and some revenue flowing back to the government. Might be a case of making the best of a bad situation and bad decisions. In regards to the NSW, I think it is a very cute little boat and she looks good. She is a far more pleasant ship to look at as oppose to the Nor-Ad's ugly looking Wheelhouse. Which is about my only beef with that ship. The problem is I would spend $20 to go for a quick spin on the NSW on a short run, such as say Sturdees Bay to Tsawwassen, but would not spend $200 to ride on a ship up north unless I lived there. If you can not look forward I would spend the same 200 dollars to sail on the Expedition instead when planning on a vacation. NSW has to offer it's passengers a full viewing experience. From the pictures I have seen its highly improbable BCF would Or could put Windows in front. But having said that to each their own. It's up to traveling vacationers to decide themselves.
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Post by yvr on Jan 18, 2018 22:14:11 GMT -8
I like the news video showing the yard in Esquimalt removing fresh Greek paint. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't "some brain" in BC Ferries arrange to have it painted in Greece! Anyway it's not as bad as it seems, as half that Greek paint was missing by the time it got to Victoria. Oh well it's just money, and there's a lot more on the tree - oh sorry - your pocket.
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Post by Dane on Jan 20, 2018 14:36:54 GMT -8
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Post by compdude787 on Jan 21, 2018 20:16:01 GMT -8
It's really unfortunate that there still aren't going to be any forward-facing windows at the bow. I mean, who would even design a ferry without forward facing windows? You'd think BC Ferries would actually want to add those, but no...
At least the ferry looks a lot nicer than the NorAd. The shape of the bow reminds me of the Queen of the North.
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Post by yvr on Jan 21, 2018 21:22:37 GMT -8
The above photo posted by Dane, taken by Karl makes the No. Sea Wolf appear like an old vessel built in the 60's. I doubt a shiny new paint job will help that much. You'll also note the Esquimalt dry docking crew has removed the tires used a bumpers from the stern of the vessel. Wonder what will go back on, probably not tires, they're cheap but don't look professional enough for BCF.
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Jan 21, 2018 22:09:04 GMT -8
It's really unfortunate that there still aren't going to be any forward-facing windows at the bow. I mean, who would even design a ferry without forward facing windows? You'd think BC Ferries would actually want to add those, but no... At least the ferry looks a lot nicer than the NorAd. The shape of the bow reminds me of the Queen of the North. Just sent an email to BC Ferries asking about the windows. I sent them one a couple of months back, but the rep told me at the time plans hadn't been firmed up.
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Post by Brandon S on Jan 29, 2018 20:36:36 GMT -8
Quote From The Times Colonist Paper Last Sunday
According to my dad (who works at the Drydock), it nearly hit the new Coast Guard Boat, and there was some damage to the vessel. Not sure if that is 100% but I bet it slammed up against the dock more then once
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Post by yvr on Jan 29, 2018 21:23:17 GMT -8
Other than job security, it would be extremely interesting to hear what BCF Spotter's dad thinks about this new Greek ferry. Impressed or not!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,272
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Post by Neil on Feb 2, 2018 11:15:46 GMT -8
So the word is, no windows at the front of the Northern Sea Wolf. A BC Ferries rep tells me, "The forward end of the ship is inaccessible for viewing due to the layout of structural components."
The work being done in Victoria is being referred to as a mid-life upgrade.
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Post by mybidness459 on Feb 2, 2018 14:37:21 GMT -8
Thats what I was thinking when I had my first good look at her bow structure. Its unfortunate.
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 3, 2018 16:46:50 GMT -8
So the word is, no windows at the front of the Northern Sea Wolf. A BC Ferries rep tells me, "The forward end of the ship is inaccessible for viewing due to the layout of structural components." The work being done in Victoria is being referred to as a mid-life upgrade. They are actually doing an MLU on a ship that "due to the layout of structural components", cannot be retro-fitted with forward facing windows? O.M.G.! Where's 'the Donald' when we need him? (can't believe I asked that....,going to my room now.)
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Post by yvr on Mar 4, 2018 20:55:54 GMT -8
Would one of our Vancouver Island members stop by the graving dock and see if they can capture a few photo's of the progress on this vessel. I would be especially interested in the green house that will supposedly be placed on the upper deck. No doubt this would come out of a fabrication shop as a single module.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 18, 2018 6:18:47 GMT -8
Would one of our Vancouver Island members stop by the graving dock and see if they can capture a few photo's of the progress on this vessel. I would be especially interested in the green house that will supposedly be placed on the upper deck. No doubt this would come out of a fabrication shop as a single module. Just wondering if any of our Island members have had a chance to mosey by the yard outfitting the 'Northern Sea Wolf' with her 'MLU''s progress? So far BCFS hasn't posted any info. on their web-site regarding this route for the upcoming Summer season.
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Post by Dane on Apr 18, 2018 8:04:49 GMT -8
I saw her last week. To the untrained eye, I saw nothing of significance. That said there were a lot of people clearly working on her and equipment everywhere.
I have an appointment at the base next Thursday. I'll put some pictures on the WCFF Instagram.
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Post by Chris City on Apr 18, 2018 17:40:49 GMT -8
Would one of our Vancouver Island members stop by the graving dock and see if they can capture a few photo's of the progress on this vessel. I would be especially interested in the green house that will supposedly be placed on the upper deck. No doubt this would come out of a fabrication shop as a single module. Just wondering if any of our Island members have had a chance to mosey by the yard outfitting the 'Northern Sea Wolf' with her 'MLU''s progress? So far BCFS hasn't posted any info. on their web-site regarding this route for the upcoming Summer season. If I had access to the shipyard I'd be all over it.
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Post by Brandon S on Apr 23, 2018 12:01:18 GMT -8
Just wondering if any of our Island members have had a chance to mosey by the yard outfitting the 'Northern Sea Wolf' with her 'MLU''s progress? So far BCFS hasn't posted any info. on their web-site regarding this route for the upcoming Summer season. If I had access to the shipyard I'd be all over it. I may try and go down there this week to take a look
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Post by Chris City on Apr 23, 2018 21:07:08 GMT -8
If I had access to the shipyard I'd be all over it. I may try and go down there this week to take a look Good luck! I have security clearance to be on the site, but I don't think I can just roam around with my camera
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Post by Dane on Apr 23, 2018 22:05:10 GMT -8
This information is five days old, but she's really visible from several of the publicly accessible areas of the Base.
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Post by Dane on Apr 26, 2018 10:22:25 GMT -8
Not much to see, but a photo as promised. Hard to get an unobstructed view - and I probably should have taken a camera rather than just a phone! Talking to a few people I get the impression the project is going slowly. When I recently tried to book I couldn't for the first sailing which is already later than initially announced. Looking forward to seeing more progress, and, that Sea Wolf wrap. http://instagram.com/p/BiCyEaLDSD1
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Post by mariner42 on Apr 26, 2018 14:10:05 GMT -8
Dane: Thanks for your photo.
I may be wrong; however, I believe your pic may show the salvaged mast of Queen Of Burnaby being installed atop the wheelhouse of Northern Sea Wolf. This was forecast by Scott
I think, many months ago. A nice addition to this latest member of the fleet.
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Post by Chris City on May 13, 2018 18:23:27 GMT -8
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