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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 28, 2017 19:58:51 GMT -8
Fourth time through Tsawwassen since the Orca got there and I finally got to see her in the daylight!! Here is a couple more shots I took earlier this evening. I don't foresee any more trips through TSA in the near future so this might be my last encounter with her until she enters service (which I will undoubtedly be driving up to Comox for), can't wait! Big thanks for these, and the others. I've still got to work in my final 'Burnaby trip, and then hopefully the Orca in April.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 28, 2017 20:02:22 GMT -8
View AttachmentAs seen from the departing Coastal Celebration at 5pm this evening. Ok, I'm now a fan of the light blue of the artwork wraps on the 'Orca. A nice colour in this light.
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 28, 2017 20:53:49 GMT -8
On the middle photo, when viewed at full size, you can see a decal that says "powered by Natural Gas". I'm not sure about the first two words ...
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Post by mybidness459 on Jan 29, 2017 17:40:15 GMT -8
Right on!!!!
I wonder if (When) the Orca class vessel docks into a berth with a upper ramp how the car deck door interacts with it. Is there enough space between the ship's door to clear the upper vehicle deck ramp?
It's inevitable that the ship's will use say berth 3 at Tsawwassen at some point.
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Post by Mike on Jan 29, 2017 22:13:41 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 30, 2017 18:13:15 GMT -8
Salish Eagle should have the same whistle as the Queen of Nanaimo. Who else thinks this I think that lots of us (myself included) would love to hear a horn similar to the Queen of Nanaimo's airchime 3-tone horn on the Salish Orca. Sweet music indeed.
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Post by yak on Jan 31, 2017 15:33:27 GMT -8
I found myself at that new gargantuan mall in Tsawwassen yesterday so I thought I'd take a short drive down the causeway and check out the Orca with my own eyes for the first time. I parked in the passenger pick-up lot which allowed me to get pretty close. The bow doors were up so I could see inside quite well too. One thing that struck me about it...it seems quiet tall and narrow in comparsion to it's length...especially compared to the Cumberland. Makes me wonder if it may be a bit of a "wobbler" like the old Queen of the Islands was...I was only a kid at the time but I can still remember how it listed making the turns in Active Pass. It was fun for us kids, but the adults didn't seem to appreciate it. Sure does look nice in person though. I'm excited to step aboard for the first time. Though I may have to wait for the Eagle to arrive. Having been on her for a leg on her trip from Poland and on her for some of the training cruises in the Strait of Georgia I can give you my impressions. When she was in the open ocean she moved around on long swells as you'd expect any ship would. I've been on freighters that were far worse in similar seas but she did move. However, while we were testing her in the strait - and doing some pretty extreme maneuvers (such as crash stops at 90 degrees to her head - something akin to stopping with hockey skates) she was rock solid. Despite being very tall she has a crazy amount of reserve stability and likes to stay upright.
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Post by Dane on Feb 1, 2017 14:56:57 GMT -8
Today I got my first look at the Orca. I have nothing new or relevant to report.
The artwork sure looks great. Colourful, vibrant, and unique. The lines of the ship make the wrap look at bit awkward at places but that doesn't really diminish the overall look - a fault only a ferry fan or an angry old man on Facebook would notice.
There's some sort of something running on it that it making a loud blowing sound. Any idea what that is? It's very clearly heard from the Tsawwassen foot passenger drop off area.
The bow door paint on the end facing Tsawwassen looks pretty banged up no doubt from the tribulations of a near coast ferry crossing the Atlantic. I trust that'll be fixed up before she enters service.
Looking forward to actually getting on board!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Feb 1, 2017 21:28:03 GMT -8
Today I got my first look at the Orca. I have nothing new or relevant to report. The artwork sure looks great. Colourful, vibrant, and unique. The lines of the ship make the wrap look at bit awkward at places but that doesn't really diminish the overall look - a fault only a ferry fan or an angry old man on Facebook would notice. There's some sort of something running on it that it making a loud blowing sound. Any idea what that is? It's very clearly heard from the Tsawwassen foot passenger drop off area. The bow door paint on the end facing Tsawwassen looks pretty banged up no doubt from the tribulations of a near coast ferry crossing the Atlantic. I trust that'll be fixed up before she enters service. Looking forward to actually getting on board! So... you have a problem with angry old men on facebook? Let me remind you, Dane... one day that could be you. From your posting history, i see you as sort of a curmudgeon in training. Two thoughts, from my views of the Salish Orca, and what has been posted here... I think I'm going to like the wide car lanes, since there appears to be six lanes, and the breadth of the ship is similar to the ' Capilano/Cumberland. The vehicle 'dungeon' will be unpleasant, but not unlike what European customers are used to. I continue to be very concerned this these vessels are very deficient in passenger cabin space. Again, they are very similar, length and breadth and cabin size, to the aforementioned twins, and yet foot and bicycle passenger traffic to the Gulf Islands can be heavy, and there is AEQ space for 145, or whatever the new funny math of BC Ferries has determined. I think that's going to be a big factor that BC Ferries has miscalculated.
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 1, 2017 21:46:15 GMT -8
So... you have a problem with angry old men on facebook? Let me remind you, Dane... one day that could be you. From your posting history, i see you as sort of a curmudgeon in training. Two thoughts, from my views of the Salish Orca, and what has been posted here... I think I'm going to like the wide car lanes, since there appears to be six lanes, and the breadth of the ship is similar to the ' Capilano/Cumberland. The vehicle 'dungeon' will be unpleasant, but not unlike what European customers are used to. I continue to be very concerned this these vessels are very deficient in passenger cabin space. Again, they are very similar, length and breadth and cabin size, to the aforementioned twins, and yet foot and bicycle passenger traffic to the Gulf Islands can be heavy, and there is AEQ space for 145, or whatever the new funny math of BC Ferries has determined. I think that's going to be a big factor that BC Ferries has miscalculated. I believe Dane was referring to the sort of 'angry old men' (many of whom are not old, or may even be females) that you find posting on Facebook pages like "Dear BC Ferries". I don't think the comment was aimed at members of this forum like you, Neil, or me, or even Mr. Horn ... (not angry enough or old enough). I share your concerns about passenger cabin space on the Salish trio, especially in light of the new rules coming down about staying off the car deck(s).
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Post by Dane on Feb 1, 2017 22:31:46 GMT -8
Yes that's a dig at the evolution of Facebook, not users here.
Incidentally the SoVI got back to Swartz Bay from wherever she'd been hiding. Hands down the freshest (and most complete) paint I've seen on a BC Ferry. She looks younger than the Orca if one measures by shine!
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Post by Ferryman on Feb 1, 2017 23:29:47 GMT -8
There's some sort of something running on it that it making a loud blowing sound. Any idea what that is? It's very clearly heard from the Tsawwassen foot passenger drop off area. I believe this would be the Engine Room air intake fan. I could be mistaken, but I've heard the noise it makes as well at least. It certainly is quite loud though.
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Post by mybidness459 on Feb 2, 2017 13:06:04 GMT -8
Yes that's a dig at the evolution of Facebook, not users here. Incidentally the SoVI got back to Swartz Bay from wherever she'd been hiding. Hands down the freshest (and most complete) paint I've seen on a BC Ferry. She looks younger than the Orca if one measures by shine!
The Spirit was hiding in the Esquimalt dry dock with the Skeena Queen.š
Update as of 2:20 pm Salish Orca at Dease Dock according to Vessel Finder.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Feb 2, 2017 22:53:01 GMT -8
Yes that's a dig at the evolution of Facebook, not users here. Incidentally the SoVI got back to Swartz Bay from wherever she'd been hiding. Hands down the freshest (and most complete) paint I've seen on a BC Ferry. She looks younger than the Orca if one measures by shine!
The Spirit was hiding in the Esquimalt dry dock with the Skeena Queen.š
Update as of 2:20 pm Salish Orca at Dease Dock according to Vessel Finder. I think you meant Deas. You need to take a spelling test of BC places.
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Post by mybidness459 on Feb 3, 2017 13:39:25 GMT -8
Shoot Me and put me out of my misery! LoL! I am not perfect you know, and spelling is not my forte.
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Post by Charles on Feb 4, 2017 14:45:52 GMT -8
Here's the Salish Orca's whistle verified by the customer relations assistant manager Attachments:
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Post by Dane on Feb 8, 2017 15:42:33 GMT -8
Mildly interesting news release from BC Ferries on acceptance trials. Here is the original: www.bcferries.com/bcferries/faces/attachments?id=1016251-- SALISH ORCA TO CONDUCT SEA TRIALS AROUND BC FERRIESā FLEET Catch a glimpse of BC Ferriesā newest vessel VICTORIA ā BC Ferriesā newest vessel, Salish Orca, will conduct a series of sea trials as part of operational training and to verify the interface with docks at many of BC Ferriesā terminals as part of its commissioning process starting on Friday at Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island. The public can catch a glimpse of the new ship as it travels through the Salish Sea. Over the next month, Salish Orca will conduct dock trials at ports in the Southern Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, Departure Bay, Duke Point, Horseshoe Bay and Swartz Bay. As part of BC Ferriesā commissioning process for any new class of vessel, ships conduct dock trials at a variety of locations for potential future deployment purposes, corporate planning and contingency scenarios. āWeāve heard from many customers eager to see Salish Orca, so we wanted to let the public know when the vessel would be visiting the various terminals,ā said Mark Collins, BC Ferriesā Vice President of Strategic Planning and Customer Engagement. āPassengers will be able to have a sneak peak of the ship from shore over the next four weeks, and we look forward to welcoming the public on board when we host official open houses.ā Dates/locations of dock trials will be posted on Twitter @bcferries and on BC Ferries Projects page for New Salish Class Vessels on the website under Major Project Milestones 24 to 48 hours in advance at www.bcferries.com/about/intermediatevessel.html. Salish Orca will enter service on the Powell River ā Comox route in the spring, replacing the Queen of Burnaby. Salish Eagle and Salish Raven will be brought into service for the Southern Gulf Islands later this year. Under contract to the Province of British Columbia, BC Ferries is the service provider responsible for the delivery of safe, efficient and dependable ferry service along coastal British Columbia. ā
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Post by YoursTruly on Feb 9, 2017 10:47:49 GMT -8
I found myself at that new gargantuan mall in Tsawwassen yesterday so I thought I'd take a short drive down the causeway and check out the Orca with my own eyes for the first time. I parked in the passenger pick-up lot which allowed me to get pretty close. The bow doors were up so I could see inside quite well too. One thing that struck me about it...it seems quiet tall and narrow in comparsion to it's length...especially compared to the Cumberland. Makes me wonder if it may be a bit of a "wobbler" like the old Queen of the Islands was...I was only a kid at the time but I can still remember how it listed making the turns in Active Pass. It was fun for us kids, but the adults didn't seem to appreciate it. Sure does look nice in person though. I'm excited to step aboard for the first time. Though I may have to wait for the Eagle to arrive. Salish Orca: 99.6m x 23.5m, hull depth 6.6m. Queen of Cumberland: 95.8m x 21.1m, hull depth 4.3m. So, no real difference up top, and the deeper hull may provide more stability. Salish Orca: Full Load draft: 4.65 meters Not sure the air draft. That's the real measurement in question. Hull depth is a different measurement which includes freeboard; not entirely relevant without knowing other measurements. She is however a very tall ship. Her bridge is said to be the same height in dock as the Spirit vessels. Her loaded capacity GM is 3.993m which is a little less than the Bowen Queen's GM. So yeah, on paper she'll roll decently. With the height the bridge deck is, they'll certainly feel the acceleration of each roll. She'll be a very different seabird to the Burnaby. Evidently the GM on the Salish class is more than the Queen of Burnaby by almost twice. GM by the way is the distance between the centre of gravity and the Metacentric height, which is kind of a ship specific figure used as reference in many stability calculations. It's based on distances from other points on the ship. A larger GM means a stiffer ship with a shorter roll period (too stiff means a violently quick roll with faster acceleration/ deceleration.) Also will be interesting to find how she rides during storms on the inside passage. We don't see the long sweeping swells as you get offshore. The Coastals, due to their super efficient double ended hull design, have less "meat" on their hull forms than say the C class, with a small portion of the hull being of considerable breadth in the midsection and long fine entries on either end with a huge flair to host the vehicle deck and superstructure form. This leads to horrendous pounding similar to a beaver tail smacking the water which you can feel shuddering through the whole ship. The Orcas have less length to their entry sections and therefor should see less pounding compared to the Coastals. Time will tell, very interesting stuff. Power is out so please excuse any autocorrect errors here.
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Post by Kahn_C on Feb 9, 2017 17:34:44 GMT -8
First batch of dock fittings are scheduled: From here.
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Post by gulfislandkayaker on Feb 10, 2017 19:34:41 GMT -8
I am on the Nanaimo right now, just pulling out of Tsawwassen. When I pulled up to the terminal I saw the Orca was in Berth 1...I was pretty excited when I realized the Nanny would be right beside it in Berth 2. But alas...Berth 4 tonight.
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Post by Ferryman on Feb 10, 2017 21:03:32 GMT -8
Today was the first time that the Salish Orca has ever transited Active Pass, and docked at Long Harbour. She handles like a dream, as a Schottel driven vessel should. A very very smooth and quiet ride. She is very tall, which is quite the sight to see in Long Harbour as she towers over the terminal. Waiting to drive aboard the Salish Orca by Deck-dog SSI, on Flickr
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Post by mybidness459 on Feb 11, 2017 14:34:00 GMT -8
I am wondering if anyone can give a heads up when the vessle is going to do dock trials at Departure Bay Or Duke Point. So we can mark Long Harbour has the first terminal the Orca has ever docked at BESIDES Tsawwassen.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 11, 2017 16:53:27 GMT -8
I am curious to know the route she takes into Long Harbor. Does anyone know?? The Nanaimo is single ended so I know she swings into the berth then reverses but the Orca being double ended how would she dock there?? Would she go in and out both the outbound way??
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Post by Kahn_C on Feb 14, 2017 19:06:45 GMT -8
Updated berth fitting schedule:
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Post by bigcountry on Feb 18, 2017 7:36:33 GMT -8
Updated berth fitting schedule: Any idea if she'll be doing any at Earls Cove or Saltery Bay in case one of the ships is ever needed there?
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