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Post by Low Light Mike on May 14, 2017 8:10:06 GMT -8
Access to the exterior on Deck 4 (pickle forks) is via two doors that face forward at both ends of the vessel. Exterior stairs connect with Deck 5, however you only can access Deck 5 as a passenger from the interior via the elevator at either end. All doors to access the exterior on Deck 4 and 5 are automated. You must hold a button for approximately two-seconds until it "activates". Once activated, it begins to blink lights and let everyone in the vicinity know by beeping while it slowly makes its way into the opened position. Once it times-out and begins to close, it again starts blinking lights and beeping until it's closed. This surprises me that the only way a passenger can access outside Deck-5 (sundeck) is via interior elevator, and not by interior stairs. Sounds like a traffic bottleneck for people wanting to access outside decks on a sunny day (I'm thinking Active Pass on Route-9 on her sisters). I'm also wondering how annoying the door beeping sound will be for passengers sitting at either end of the deck-4 interior. Bring your ear-plugs? I will find out what this is experience is like, probably next month.
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Post by Dane on May 14, 2017 13:42:37 GMT -8
It'll be interesting to see if the Tsawwassen based Route 9 vessel and the partner on Long Harbour have different menus. Well, arguably only interesting to me! But simply based on logistical ease it would be unnecessary to sustain a second menu set for one seasonal vessel at a terminal (Tsa) that's otherwise standardized.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 14, 2017 18:24:58 GMT -8
Access to the exterior on Deck 4 (pickle forks) is via two doors that face forward at both ends of the vessel. Exterior stairs connect with Deck 5, however you only can access Deck 5 as a passenger from the interior via the elevator at either end. All doors to access the exterior on Deck 4 and 5 are automated. Scottie, help me out with this one. I'm getting hung-up on the word "Only" in your 2nd sentence. Is that "the only way to access deck 5 from the interior" or "the only way to access deck 5 at all" ? ie. can I use the exterior stairs between decks 4 & 5? I'll pay for a reply.
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Post by Scott on May 14, 2017 18:54:41 GMT -8
Access to the exterior on Deck 4 (pickle forks) is via two doors that face forward at both ends of the vessel. Exterior stairs connect with Deck 5, however you only can access Deck 5 as a passenger from the interior via the elevator at either end. All doors to access the exterior on Deck 4 and 5 are automated. Scottie, help me out with this one. I'm getting hung-up on the word "Only" in your 2nd sentence. Is that "the only way to access deck 5 from the interior" or "the only way to access deck 5 at all" ? ie. can I use the exterior stairs between decks 4 & 5? I'll pay for a reply. I did word that rather confusingly. Sorry about that! If you'd like to use stairs to access the sun deck (Deck 5) you may do so via the exterior stairs located on the pickle forks (Deck 4). If you wish to access the sun deck directly from within the passenger cabin your only option is the elevator.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 14, 2017 19:07:37 GMT -8
If you'd like to use stairs to access the sun deck (Deck 5) you may do so via the exterior stairs located on the pickle forks (Deck 4). If you wish to access the sun deck directly from within the passenger cabin your only option is the elevator. Perfect ! That makes a lot of sense, but sometimes design says otherwise. Much appreciated regarding your photos and commentary. My spouse took the 'Burnaby last week for a Powell River visit. Today, she saw the 'Orca sail by her mom's house, south of Powell River.
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Post by futureferrydriver on May 16, 2017 0:32:53 GMT -8
Well, it's 1:30am and I'm currently sitting outside the Little River ticket booth in my car waiting for the Orca's "maiden" voyage. I feel like quite the keener!!
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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 May 16, 2017 1:00:25 GMT -8
Well, it's 1:30am and I'm currently sitting outside the Little River ticket booth in my car waiting for the Orca's "maiden" voyage. I feel like quite the keener!! And, while you wait, the SALISH ORCA is underway to Comox to pick you up. The QUEEN OF BURNABY did a late night sailing from Comox to Powell River. Both her and the SO met in the middle of the night as we see above. Transition time for the Comox run. Don't oversleep at the ticket booth. You'll miss your sailing! Have a good one!!
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Post by futureferrydriver on May 16, 2017 6:29:58 GMT -8
Well, it's a nice ship and all, but it's halfway through the sailing to Westview and I already can't stand the automatic doors to access the sundeck. I have a feeling they won't last long the way they are, especially for the Eagle and Raven doing SGI in the summer.
Aside from the doors the layout of the ship seems okay overall, the cafeteria area (not the seating part but the actual ordering food part) seems a bit small but that might just be because I'm used to Route 1 and 2 vessels lately.
One final note from the huge nerd hidden inside me; garage decks are very cool!! I'm curious to see how effective/efficient they end up being as compared to the platforms on the Burnaby/Nanny. Time will tell I suppose!
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Post by Starsteward on May 16, 2017 8:22:49 GMT -8
Well, it's a nice ship and all, but it's halfway through the sailing to Westview and I already can't stand the automatic doors to access the sundeck. I have a feeling they won't last long the way they are, especially for the Eagle and Raven doing SGI in the summer. Aside from the doors the layout of the ship seems okay overall, the cafeteria area (not the seating part but the actual ordering food part) seems a bit small but that might just be because I'm used to Route 1 and 2 vessels lately. One final note from the huge nerd hidden inside me; garage decks are very cool!! I'm curious to see how effective/efficient they end up being as compared to the platforms on the Burnaby/Nanny. Time will tell I suppose! Well you do win 'keener of the year' for your extra effort to be on the official inaugural run of the Salish Orca. Don't suppose BC Ferries gave the inaugural trip passengers any kind of 'memento' on this special day?
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 16, 2017 8:23:45 GMT -8
Well, it's a nice ship and all, but it's halfway through the sailing to Westview and I already can't stand the automatic doors to access the sundeck. I have a feeling they won't last long the way they are, especially for the Eagle and Raven doing SGI in the summer. Thanks very much for that first-official-sailing report. A very quiet traffic sailing, I presume. I'm curious about the first sailing that left Westview today, and how the various Powell River "unhappy victims of ferry system" liked or didn't like the ship. I suppose there would have been lots of grumblings of people who don't like new types of things.
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Post by yak on May 16, 2017 10:37:52 GMT -8
One final note from the huge nerd hidden inside me; garage decks are very cool!! I'm curious to see how effective/efficient they end up being as compared to the platforms on the Burnaby/Nanny. Time will tell I suppose! I am looking forward to having pretty much anything classified as an "underheight" actually fit in that space as opposed to having to be particularly vigilant diverting borderline roofracks, canopies and cargo vans from the platforms...
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Post by futureferrydriver on May 16, 2017 10:56:18 GMT -8
Well, it's a nice ship and all, but it's halfway through the sailing to Westview and I already can't stand the automatic doors to access the sundeck. I have a feeling they won't last long the way they are, especially for the Eagle and Raven doing SGI in the summer. Aside from the doors the layout of the ship seems okay overall, the cafeteria area (not the seating part but the actual ordering food part) seems a bit small but that might just be because I'm used to Route 1 and 2 vessels lately. One final note from the huge nerd hidden inside me; garage decks are very cool!! I'm curious to see how effective/efficient they end up being as compared to the platforms on the Burnaby/Nanny. Time will tell I suppose! Well you do win 'keener of the year' for your extra effort to be on the official inaugural run of the Salish Orca. Don't suppose BC Ferries gave the inaugural trip passengers any kind of 'memento' on this special day? No memento for me today they were giving away ferry vouchers by random draw though, and there was a couple of Chek news guys on board filming so maybe I'll end up on TV!!
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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 May 16, 2017 11:14:02 GMT -8
Well you do win 'keener of the year' for your extra effort to be on the official inaugural run of the Salish Orca. Don't suppose BC Ferries gave the inaugural trip passengers any kind of 'memento' on this special day? No memento for me today they were giving away ferry vouchers by random draw though, and there was a couple of Chek news guys on board filming so maybe I'll end up on TV!! CHEK (Check) this: www.cheknews.ca/new-ferry-launches-powell-river-comox-route-317260/
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Post by Alberni on May 16, 2017 11:33:46 GMT -8
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Post by Curtis on May 16, 2017 16:44:57 GMT -8
Want to see more of the Salish Orca, you're in luck! Here's a Walkthrough from her soft sailing on Sunday afternoon.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 16, 2017 19:20:22 GMT -8
Want to see more of the Salish Orca, you're in luck! Here's a Walkthrough from her soft sailing on Sunday afternoon. Big thanks for that introductory tour. I hate the beep-beep doors already.
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Post by northwesterner on May 16, 2017 20:44:28 GMT -8
Want to see more of the Salish Orca, you're in luck! Here's a Walkthrough from her soft sailing on Sunday afternoon. Big thanks for that introductory tour. I hate the beep-beep doors already. Before I watched the video I thought the beep-beep was unnecessary CYA B.S. from the over the top safety culture that is British Columbia. Then I watched the video. It wasn't previously noted that the doors that are opening and closing are actually the water tight doors, which double as the regular doors on this ship. Those are pretty massive, heavy doors, and I just can't see them operating without an aural warning. That said, at least half of the video you can hearing the beeping from some door, somewhere on board. People are going to lose their minds over this. Other thoughts - passenger space is smaller than I expected. Was surprised to see so much of the center, interior, of the cabin taking up by central casing and crew spaces. Don't love the galley in one end. When that's the bow, those forward facing seats are going to be at a premium, especially considering on the other (lounge) end, all the seats are arranged towards the windows which means in one direction, the majority of the seating is going to be backwards facing. Also the garage deck seems huge, though getting cars in and out of the forward and aft most spaces will be tricky.
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Post by Dane on May 16, 2017 21:02:08 GMT -8
Thanks for the video that was great.
Those doors. Wow. That cannot stay like that forever.
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Post by Kahn_C on May 16, 2017 21:34:26 GMT -8
That beeping... How did no one think that might be a bit much? If the camera picks it up that well all over the place it must be amazing in person. Can't wait to find out.
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Post by Scott on May 21, 2017 18:08:35 GMT -8
Photos from the inaugural round trip of the Salish Orca on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Thank you to all of the BC Ferries employees fleet-wide who worked tirelessly to bring the first Salish Class vessel in-service! Also, a BIG thank you to BC Ferries for extending me an invitation to be aboard for this historic event! May 16, 2017The following images posted by this account are copyright © S.A. ~ Unauthorized use is prohibited./!\ Photo Heavy /!\ BC Ferries - First vehicle to board the Inaugural Sailing of Salish Orca. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca departs Little River on her Inaugural Sailing. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca en route to Westview, Powell River. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Welcome Aboard Signage (No. 2 End), Salish Orca. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Main Car Deck (No. 2 End), Salish Orca. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca nearing Powell River. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - No. 2 End Seating Lounge, Salish Orca. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Cafeteria Seating, Salish Orca. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca en route to Little River. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Sun Deck (No. 1 End), Salish Orca. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca en route to Little River. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Lifering, Salish Orca. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca at Little River. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca departing Little River. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca en route to Westview, Powell River. by Scott, on Flickr BC Ferries - Salish Orca en route to Westview, Powell River. by Scott, on Flickr
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Post by mybidness459 on May 23, 2017 17:09:40 GMT -8
Glad to see she is now in service. Now I am wondering is she any quieter then the Older ships.
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Post by priver on May 23, 2017 18:02:46 GMT -8
And we have got our first weather cancellation. Sure is getting rough out there
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Post by Kahn_C on May 23, 2017 18:12:59 GMT -8
It is impressively nasty out. Be interesting to see long term how the weather cancellations pan out vs the Burnaby... At least this one isn't one of those questionable ones that make you wonder if sports playoffs are on the weather matrix for some reason.
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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 May 23, 2017 18:54:20 GMT -8
One would ask: Are these sea conditions in BC worse than what the SALISH ORCA experienced on her ocean voyage from Poland?
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Post by Dane on May 23, 2017 19:06:12 GMT -8
One would ask: Are these sea conditions in BC worse than what the SALISH ORCA experienced on her ocean voyage from Poland? As usual the issue isn't the ferry itself, though, it's the passengers (and their lawyers lol)
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