Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Oct 27, 2017 21:26:03 GMT -8
So the dimensions of these vessels will be approximately 267' long by 57' wide. Looks like three lanes on the main deck, and two more port and starboard going over the passenger lounges. With this configuration I predict the real AEQ capacity will be more like 52-55, not the 44 specified. We'll see. I guess it depends on which math BC Ferries was using when these vessels were first being planned. Was that before the standard vehicle size was adjusted to 6m (19.6')? If so, you might be right about the capacity. Although, I was just looking at that top-down rendering Damen provided, the one showing vehicles, and it seems like 44 is about right, with the kinds of cars represented in that image, at least to my eye. The one rendered view looking down the main vehicle deck makes it look like there are two vehicle lanes above the passenger cabin. It starts out as one lane going up the ramp on each end, then widens out to two at the top. Does that seem correct? I like the looks of this new ferry. The design seems much more coherent and symmetrical than the Salish trio. Using the scale of the cars pictured, I get 14 cars in the center lane alone. Maybe they're small cars, but this is a 267' long vessel. I can't see two lanes fitting above the passenger lounge, but it's hard to tell from the rendering. I notice those prison waiting room metal chairs. Charming, and great for the back. I do get the logic of standardizing the fleet, but just as you don't need a vessel like Chetzemoka serving Tahlequah, this '44' vessel seems overbuilt for a run like Hornby, which would be better off long term with a new Quinitsa. Not every vessel needs to be interchangeable, when you can save a lot of money building something simpler for a route where the boat is going to be there for decades. But, yes, I do like the look of this vessel, and the ferry fan in me also likes the fact that there will be different places to be. Texadans might find the lounge claustrophobic compared to their spacious NIP, with no improvement in AEQ capacity, but folks at Alert Bay and Sointula will be happy. Maybe the model will be customized somewhat as new boats are actually built.
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Post by compdude787 on Nov 20, 2017 12:46:47 GMT -8
I do get the logic of standardizing the fleet, but just as you don't need a vessel like Chetzemoka serving Tahlequah, this '44' vessel seems overbuilt for a run like Hornby, which would be better off long term with a new Quinitsa. Not every vessel needs to be interchangeable, when you can save a lot of money building something simpler for a route where the boat is going to be there for decades. Wait a sec, BC Ferries' website says that the Quinitsa carries 44 cars, so this new vessel would be the same capacity as the Quinitsa. Doesn't seem overbuilt at all to me.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 20, 2017 12:57:27 GMT -8
I do get the logic of standardizing the fleet, but just as you don't need a vessel like Chetzemoka serving Tahlequah, this '44' vessel seems overbuilt for a run like Hornby, which would be better off long term with a new Quinitsa. Not every vessel needs to be interchangeable, when you can save a lot of money building something simpler for a route where the boat is going to be there for decades. Wait a sec, BC Ferries' website says that the Quinitsa carries 44 cars, so this new vessel would be the same capacity as the Quinitsa. Doesn't seem overbuilt at all to me. To update you, BC Ferries has been changing their capacity figures for various ships, over the past year or so. It's at the point where any vessel-to-vessel comparison of capacity, especially for a not-yet-built ship, is an unproductive exercise.
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Post by compdude787 on Nov 20, 2017 13:07:49 GMT -8
Oh brother, way to be confusing, BCFerries. They're even listing the new Salish class ferries as holding 138 cars instead of 145 which was the size that they'd originally planned.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,150
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Post by Neil on Nov 20, 2017 19:43:34 GMT -8
Wait a sec, BC Ferries' website says that the Quinitsa carries 44 cars, so this new vessel would be the same capacity as the Quinitsa. Doesn't seem overbuilt at all to me. To update you, BC Ferries has been changing their capacity figures for various ships, over the past year or so. It's at the point where any vessel-to-vessel comparison of capacity, especially for a not-yet-built ship, is an unproductive exercise. And I wasn't meaning overbuilt in terms of capacity; I meant the design of the vessel.
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Post by compdude787 on Nov 24, 2017 9:58:38 GMT -8
To update you, BC Ferries has been changing their capacity figures for various ships, over the past year or so. It's at the point where any vessel-to-vessel comparison of capacity, especially for a not-yet-built ship, is an unproductive exercise. And I wasn't meaning overbuilt in terms of capacity; I meant the design of the vessel. Ohh, okay. Yeah, it is a bit overkill for the Denman-Hornby route, since you probably don't need something with a bow visor since that route is (somewhat) more sheltered. I'm pretty sure that when it comes time to replace the Quinitsa, which probably won't happen for another 10 years or so, (it's only 40 years old right now) we might end up with a different design for the Quinitsa's replacement.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Dec 16, 2017 12:41:50 GMT -8
A brief mention of the "Shuttle Class" in the "Management's Discussion & Analysis" report for the year ended March 31, 2017, released today Well at least it confirms 3 Shuttle class vessels to replace the 3 Powell River class vessels. Bowen Queen's role (9A during the summer, relief vessel during the off-season) has effectively already been replaced by Salish Raven, so theoretically BCF could get away with only 2 Shuttle class vessels. Wonder as well if the 3rd Shuttle class vessel will function as a full-time relief vessel like Salish Raven, or if it will bump Skeena Queen, Quinsam, or another to relief duties. Just reading through this thread now and thought I'd add a thought. In my mind the Bowen Queen replacement will replace the Howe Sound Queen. So we'll likely see the new vessels at Quadra, Vesuvius, and route 5 out of Swartz Bay. Quinitsa would remain a relief vessel, and Quinsam would remain on the Gabriola route for the time being.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 16, 2017 15:54:14 GMT -8
In my mind the Bowen Queen replacement will replace the Howe Sound Queen. So we'll likely see the new vessels at Quadra, Vesuvius, and route 5 out of Swartz Bay. Quinitsa would remain a relief vessel Yes, Quinitsa on the Crofton-Vesuvius route seems like a short-term assignment for a few years when there are no other ships available.
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Post by Dane on Apr 24, 2018 16:13:38 GMT -8
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Post by Dane on May 7, 2018 20:00:55 GMT -8
Is this project dead?
The RFP closed 14 months ago and nothing has been announced. The last couple quartly reports say nothing and the project webpage is gone.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on May 7, 2018 20:15:04 GMT -8
Is this project dead? The RFP closed 14 months ago and nothing has been announced. The last couple quartly reports say nothing and the project webpage is gone. I've wondered that, too. But then, I've always wondered why they didn't build more Skeena Queens, albeit with a different power plant. If I remember, I'll send a question to BC Ferries. Not about the Skeena Queen.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 19, 2018 18:38:11 GMT -8
From the latest "Management's Discussion & Analysis Report" filed today, along with the annual financial report:
I've changed the thread name to "Minor 47" which is just what we're calling it until a class name is announced. ("Mixolydian 47" might have been a better name)
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 19, 2018 21:30:56 GMT -8
From the latest "Management's Discussion & Analysis Report" filed today, along with the annual financial report:
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Post by rwbsparks on Jun 20, 2018 23:36:31 GMT -8
Would a modernized Island Sky without gallery decks fit the bill? A full sized lounge above the car deck would make the vessels more flexible in the network. What is the difference in square meters of cabin space on Skeena versus Mayne/Bowen?
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 22, 2018 14:07:50 GMT -8
I could see 125 car Salish Class being built to replace the Bowen Class Vessel.
1. First vessel is direct replacement for the Mayne Queen. 2. Second vessel will replace the Bowen Queen and bring Queen of Cumberland into spare vessel. 3. Third vessel would be operate on Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour and the Skeena Queen would be switch to operate on Nanaimo Harbour - Gabriola Island. Quinsam would be be used to retire the Powell River Queen on Campbell River to Quadra Island.
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Post by yak on Jun 26, 2018 4:34:13 GMT -8
Just a heads up for thread naming - this class has now officially been deemed the "Island Class"
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 26, 2018 7:04:56 GMT -8
Just a heads up for thread naming - this class has now officially been deemed the "Island Class" Thanks for this advisement. Thread has been renamed for the final time.
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 26, 2018 7:51:27 GMT -8
Just a heads up for thread naming - this class has now officially been deemed the "Island Class" Thanks for this advisement. Thread has been renamed for the final time. Is this in addition to the "Island Sky class"?
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Post by yak on Jun 26, 2018 9:56:06 GMT -8
Thanks for this advisement. Thread has been renamed for the final time. Is this in addition to the "Island Sky class"? It will be interesting to see what individual boats are named as the possibility of confusion crossed my mind as well.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 26, 2018 12:05:23 GMT -8
Is this in addition to the "Island Sky class"? It will be interesting to see what individual boats are named as the possibility of confusion crossed my mind as well. They could avoid the confusion by naming the new 47's just with an island name, such as: - Texada - Cormorant - Malcolm - Harwood - Fantasy - Temptation
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Post by Curtis on Jun 26, 2018 12:16:17 GMT -8
Definitely an unexpected choice of class name. I guess they won’t be having a “Name the Minor-47” contest. It did seem strange that they abandoned the “Island” prefix after the Sky was built. I thought for the longest time during their conceptual stage that the “Salish” trio would carry on that name.
It does make sense for the minors to take the Island Class name considering they will regularly serve actual islands unlike our current Island vessel. One thing I wonder, will BC Ferries will start using “Island Class” for every minor vessel going forward? We haven’t heard much about the 100 car “Shuttle” ferries planned for Gabriola and Quadra, but perhaps if the 100s are based off the 47’s design they can split the class into 2 types: Island-47 and Island-100.
Wishful thinking? Maybe, but I wouldn’t put it past them. I recall part of BC Ferries’ standardization plan was to eventually have only 4 ship classes. Northern, Coastal, Salish and Island would fit that description nicely.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 5, 2018 6:39:36 GMT -8
A news article with more talk about Island Class, and differentiation from Salish Class as the two classes of inter-island ferries: from HERE
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 5, 2018 6:45:16 GMT -8
Based on the artist renditions for Island Class ships, there will be no views from the car deck, other than a glimpse of (Island) Sky above and the inside of the bulwarks.
You can sit in your car or stand on the deck and admire the white paint and forget that you're in a world-class scenic location.
Or climb up to a small crowded viewing area. I will miss the simplicity of standing on a car deck and looking out at the scenery.
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Post by rwbsparks on Jul 5, 2018 20:30:53 GMT -8
Based on the artist renditions for Island Class ships, there will be no views from the car deck, other than a glimpse of (Island) Sky above and the inside of the bulwarks. You can sit in your car or stand on the deck and admire the white paint and forget that you're in a world-class scenic location. Or climb up to a small crowded viewing area. I will miss the simplicity of standing on a car deck and looking out at the scenery. It really is a shame that BC has gone to this style of vessel in such a gorgeous region of the world. Down south in Washington I take having a window by the car for granted.
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Post by Ferryman on Jul 26, 2018 9:23:54 GMT -8
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