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Post by Dane on Dec 27, 2017 22:41:47 GMT -8
Is the Orca still operating as a single ender?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 27, 2017 22:45:11 GMT -8
Is the Orca still operating as a single ender? Not today or Sunday. Cafeteria was operating, but no hot grill items. I had a caesar salad with cold chicken.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Dec 27, 2017 22:58:47 GMT -8
Is the Orca still operating as a single ender? Not today or Sunday. Cafeteria was operating, but no hot grill items. I had a caesar salad with cold chicken. Did they say why? Is it still the design deficiency with heat in the kitchen?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 27, 2017 23:18:50 GMT -8
Not today or Sunday. Cafeteria was operating, but no hot grill items. I had a caesar salad with cold chicken. Did they say why? Is it still the design deficiency with heat in the kitchen? I didn't ask. I was glad that I didn't have a burger option. I'm not sure if the galley issue will be fixed in her January refit, or not.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 28, 2017 9:36:14 GMT -8
On the expected busy travel day of December 27th, my spouse and I returned from Powell River to Vancouver Island via the Salish Orca ferry.
We didn't do a reservation, but instead arrived two hours before sailing time. We got to observe the North Island Princess flying the red flag and departing on a dangerous cargo run. We were in the first lane of traffic to arrive for our 11:50am sailing to Comox, and by sailing time the lot was full and there was overflow that hadn't yet reached the ticket booth. BC Ferries had 2 lot employees directing traffic in the overflow lot outside the ticket booth; they did a good job with both booths open.
The sailing ended up leaving behind 1 over-height & approx 16 under-height vehicles. As expected, we got directed to the garage deck, and it was full. The only extra space would be if 2 small cars could be squeezed into the middle lanes at either end of the garage deck; instead one vehicle per lane was fit.
Up on the main vehicle deck, the full load included some commercial trucks on their return run back to Comox; so those trucks were at the top of the hump and used the two-lane lines on the deck instead of three across for cars.
The passenger deck #4 wasn't the chaos that I was dreading. This was because although the vehicle decks were full of vehicles, there was very little walk-on traffic, and so the lounge load was just from the vehicles. If there had been a large group of walk-ons, such as a school team, it would have been a different atmosphere in the lounge deck. Less pleasant with a full load of people, I presume.
The cafeteria seating was mostly full for the entire sailing with people who originally ate and then stayed and played cards or had a family post-christmas gift evaluation.
The weather was just a bit of intermittent light rain, so I did a walkaround on the sundeck and then also walked around on deck-3 for the open-air, no view experience. Well, there is one set of windows on either side of the hump on the main vehicle deck, but that's all, except for sky views from either end.
As we neared Comox, we went down the stairs, but we weren't sure if were were allowed all the way down to the garage deck, even though there was no barrier or sign on the staircase. So we hung out on the main vehicle deck for a few minutes until we heard the announcement about "we are now nearing the terminal." Then we descended to the garage and enjoyed 15 minutes of waiting time, including the sound of moving traffic above us. I shot video of the hatches opening, and then I ran back to my car and was ready to offload.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 28, 2017 14:38:06 GMT -8
Orca photos continue with a variety of on-board and other images taken from a December 27, 2017 trip: Main vehicle deck view of garage deck hatches being closed 20171227_114046 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Garage deck view as we arrive at Little River 20171227_125937 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Visor being closed as we depart Westview C0003T01 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr The non-beeping Christmas tree, adorned with Orca ornaments . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr View from the end of the deck-4 outside area . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr A good photo angle from the picnic table area next to the Westview ticket booths. A great place to film a timelapse, except that it's on BC Ferries property. 20171227_110532 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 28, 2017 16:02:13 GMT -8
I'm a binge-poster, after a trip. Here's a video of the Salish Orca's hatches, visors and horn
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 28, 2017 22:36:06 GMT -8
My Christmas Day video work of a visit to Powell River by Santa Orca:
Santa Claus says "Ho Ho Ho" and Santa Orca says "Beep Beep Beep"
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Post by mybidness459 on Dec 29, 2017 16:03:00 GMT -8
How much longer does it take to fully load a Salish class ship verses one with platforms?
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Post by yak on Jan 1, 2018 1:43:47 GMT -8
Colder than 2016... Something of a surprise snowfall for the Orca at Little River to end 2017
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 1, 2018 7:58:02 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 2, 2018 17:32:26 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jan 12, 2018 21:44:30 GMT -8
This is just an arbitrary placement of this post... it could have been in any of the three Salish vessels threads.
I think I might have asked this question several months after the Coastals had been in service. Now that we've had a chance to get used to these vessels, how do we feel about them, from a fan's standpoint, and also from a transportation critic's view?
Like pretty much everyone on here, I love day trips through the Gulf Islands. From Swartz Bay or Tsawwassen, you pick a sailing with a number of stops, and on a decent day any time of the year, it's hard to beat it. In the past, going from the mainland, a significant part of the attraction as a ferry fan was the vessel, in recent decades the Queen of Nanaimo, and in summer- a special attraction for me- the funky little Bowen Queen. The scenery never got tiresome, and neither did roaming about the vessel enjoying the different vantages.
I've done two fan trips on the Salish vessels out of Tsawwassen, and I have to say, my curiosity is completely sated. For whatever reason, these vessels just don't engage me. I like the outdoor spaces, in good weather. But everything indoor... I don't know, there's just a lack of personality. And even though the main car deck is largely open, there is no view of the water, other than a window or two.
There have already been issues with capacity, given that these vessels are a step down from the ones they replaced, which is crazy. There's also the somewhat bizarre design flaw that kept the cafeteria menu limited because of kitchen heat, and the insane beeping and high tech door systems, which will probably be remedied.
But when I take my next Gulf Islands jaunt, it will be because of the scenery, and if it's in the peak season, the better schedule that allows time if you're getting off the boat to explore. The quirks and attractions of the older vessels has been lost, and I won't now be looking forward to the boat itself, in any way.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 13, 2018 9:32:09 GMT -8
I think I might have asked this question several months after the Coastals had been in service. Now that we've had a chance to get used to these vessels, how do we feel about them, from a fan's standpoint, and also from a transportation critic's view? I like to be outside in the fresh air on a ferry trip. Even in the rain, I like a sheltered spot to get out of the wind & rain, but to still be outside and enjoying the ocean. The Salish Class has no place for me, in this situation. Zero. - Well, one window on either side of the main car deck, at the hump. That's all. From a transportation critics point of view, I have yet to experience a full passenger sailing. But I know that when there is a full load, my sanity escape is to be on the outside deck (see previous paragraph about that). All new ship things are interesting to me. For Salish Class, this was the garage-deck and the visors. Once the novelty wears off (I will give it 2 more years), the ship won't be as interesting to me. I miss a covered promenade deck and a open car deck where you can see out the bow/stern. Is it the end of the ferry-fan-fun-ship era, or just a change in eras? - Well, if I can find a good place to be outside in the ocean-fresh air and yet sheltered from the rain & wind, it will just be a change in eras.
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Post by mybidness459 on Feb 7, 2018 16:47:18 GMT -8
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Post by mybidness459 on Feb 8, 2018 12:06:48 GMT -8
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Post by Brandon S on Feb 11, 2018 20:24:49 GMT -8
According to my Step-Dad (Who is an ERA on the SOVI, Cumby, and Coastal) that the Salish Orca was built improperly and there is too much weight to one side, so it is always tilted. He told me that it is the Orca and it is at Deas, but it's the Raven that is there so I'm not sure which one has this issue (Maybe Both?)
Steel plates will be added to balance the vessel out.
If I hear anything else I will keep you all updated
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Post by mybidness459 on Feb 12, 2018 13:01:18 GMT -8
There was talk I believe on this forum in the past that the Spirit of BC was top heavy when built. Every new class has its teething problems.
It's always nice to have access to AIS on our computers or phones, you always know where the ships are at any given moment, for the most part.
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Post by Dane on Feb 12, 2018 13:26:45 GMT -8
So did they manage to fix the cafeteria and replace the exterior doors?
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Post by yak on Feb 18, 2018 9:57:35 GMT -8
According to my Step-Dad (Who is an ERA on the SOVI, Cumby, and Coastal) that the Salish Orca was built improperly and there is too much weight to one side, so it is always tilted. He told me that it is the Orca and it is at Deas, but it's the Raven that is there so I'm not sure which one has this issue (Maybe Both?) Steel plates will be added to balance the vessel out. If I hear anything else I will keep you all updated The 3 degree Starboard list has been rectified... it was specific to the Orca.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 24, 2018 17:42:35 GMT -8
A working elevator on the Salish Orca: - March 2018
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 9, 2018 16:14:34 GMT -8
A few views of Salish Horker seen on a March 2018 trip from Westview to Little River: . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr DSC00966 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr ------------------- The video view and sounds of the visor closing and then opening:
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Post by Departure Bay on Apr 25, 2018 17:47:30 GMT -8
The Salish Orca is docking at Departure Bay right now.
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Post by Departure Bay on Apr 25, 2018 18:13:34 GMT -8
The Salish Orca is docking at Departure Bay right now. And now she's leaving! Quick visit.
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Post by Scott on Apr 25, 2018 21:21:04 GMT -8
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