Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,181
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Post by Neil on May 23, 2017 20:08:49 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. It was gusting to 70k at Comox earlier, although it's dropped off now. The early takeaway from this weather event is, most likely, what would have stopped the ' Burnaby will also stop the ' Orca. It doesn't help that both terminals are so exposed.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on May 23, 2017 20:38:52 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. It was gusting to 70k at Comox earlier, although it's dropped off now. The early takeaway from this weather event is, most likely, what would have stopped the ' Burnaby will also stop the ' Orca. It doesn't help that both terminals are so exposed. I would be surprised if this was the case. The Burnaby followed a reduced weather matrix in part due to the chronic propeller hub issues that hindered maneuverability. The Orca should be much more maneuverable with azimuth thrusters, and with more available horsepower. There is a current gale warning for the northern straight, with winds forecast up to 40 knots. Even the route 1 vessels wouldn't be sailing in that. Combined with the lack of experience maneuvering the Orca in severe weather conditions, I can see why the sailings are canceled. We'll see this winter, once the crews are more familiar with the vessel and there are more high wind events to draw data from.
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Post by yak on May 24, 2017 14:26:20 GMT -8
One would ask: Are these sea conditions in BC worse than what the SALISH ORCA experienced on her ocean voyage from Poland? Passenger "comfort" and docking the vessel weren't really considerations when she was on her voyage. The ship is more than capable of handling the weather safely, and she did see worse on her voyage, but any ship will move in heavy seas and that is a recipe for disaster with paying customers aboard.
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Post by Ferryman on May 24, 2017 19:23:58 GMT -8
Glad to see she is now in service. Now I am wondering is she any quieter then the Older ships. You'll find that she is very quiet. Next to no engine noise in the lounges, and very little vibration except for arrivals and course alterations
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Post by mybidness459 on May 25, 2017 12:11:03 GMT -8
Glad to see she is now in service. Now I am wondering is she any quieter then the Older ships. You'll find that she is very quiet. Next to no engine noise in the lounges, and very little vibration except for arrivals and course alterations Thank You Ferryman!
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Post by Kahn_C on May 30, 2017 22:07:34 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 2, 2017 19:23:14 GMT -8
I am on the Orca now, and loving it. Front and Centre on garage deck.
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Post by Dane on Jun 2, 2017 20:18:30 GMT -8
How's the beeping?
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 2, 2017 20:44:40 GMT -8
Front and Centre on garage deck. Is that a good place for filming? They are, I gather, not restricting access on that deck at the present time? What is your feeling about the passenger cabin space? Is it likely to feel rather crowded on a busy summer weekend SGI sailing?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 2, 2017 21:11:24 GMT -8
I spent most of the sailing either outside or on the car decks, so I didn't get an impression of the crowdedness of the passenger lounges. But the urinals were kinda similar to the Coastal ships. But the elevator voice did not have a European accent. Beep beep was usually heard, but didn't annoy me much. A constant background item. Garage deck was access able for the full sailing. I am not very intuitive with automation, so I spent lots of time figuring things out, such as the paper towel machine in the washroom.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 3, 2017 8:32:20 GMT -8
On my sailing (7:15pm from Comox), the garage deck was fully loaded, and the main deck was only 2/3rd full. They need to load the garage first and then close the hatches.
Upon arrival at Westview, the main deck offloaded first. I had thought the garage would unload first, but I guess there were vehicles up top on the incline blocking our hatch.
Lots of foot passengers were confused, heading to the garage deck to disembark.
1 of 2 elevators were out of service.
On passenger deck 4, 1 of the 4 picklefork doors were out of service.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 4, 2017 16:44:13 GMT -8
In what will be the new normal for Salish Class ferries on the Comox - Westview route, the garage deck is completely full and the main vehicle deck is only 20% full.
Garage deck loads first, so this will usually happen on a half-full sailing.
Both elevators are working now, but 2 of 4 pickle-fork beep beep doors are out of service.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 4, 2017 21:06:39 GMT -8
Salish Orca at sunset at Powell River's Westview terminal. - evening of June 3, 2017, seen from Marine Avenue. DSC01645 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr More photos and video to come in the weeks ahead, from my weekends Orca sightings and sailings.
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Post by Scott on Jun 5, 2017 16:26:06 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 5, 2017 20:05:51 GMT -8
Just posting this to show what I think is the "Salish Smile" - the gap above the bow/stern visor is a smile, and the rest of the face is just a bit weird. DSC01411 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 6, 2017 8:56:42 GMT -8
Just posting this to show what I think is the "Salish Smile" - the gap above the bow/stern visor is a smile, and the rest of the face is just a bit weird. DSC01411 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Head end views of our ferries are often less than flattering, this new Salish class being no exception. But than again the Queen of Oak Bay doesn't look so great when viewed head on. In August I plan to arrange things such that I will take a ride on one of these new vessels ( S Eagle, probably). I am looking forward to the on board experience ...
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 6, 2017 19:15:14 GMT -8
I think this was at sunset. - a lovely Saturday evening in Powell River, with the new ferry in the background. June 3, 2017 . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr From the moment I got on board on the Friday night, I told myself that this is going to be a fun ship to photograph. So far, so fun.
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Post by Kahn_C on Jun 6, 2017 19:51:39 GMT -8
Some pictures from a recent trip on the Orca: The view from behind the 'lunch counter' at No. 1 end. by Kahn_C, on Flickr Main passenger lounge, No. 2 end. by Kahn_C, on Flickr Garage deck portholes. by Kahn_C, on Flickr The view out of the portholes. by Kahn_C, on Flickr First impressions: - Those stairs are really steep, a little more than the Island Sky or Tachek for example.
- Door beeping wasn't bad, but at least 1/2 of them were out of order.
- The lack of a deck number on the docking announcement has a fair number of foot passengers heading down to the garage deck to offload.
- It's less cramped than I expected, but quite a few people stayed in their cars. I've only been on it for two 'average' loads, but it's a better space than the Island Sky.
- They're still getting used to loading cars, both trips plenty of deck hand confusion on the main deck.
- It's a nice and quiet smooth ride compared to the Burnaby. Also no oil scent on the car decks.
- The garage deck was surprisingly roomy.
- Washrooms feel a lot smaller than what we're used to.
- Best feature: They added a soft ice cream machine.
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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 Jun 7, 2017 3:28:03 GMT -8
If I was that kid, I would not stand too close to the portholes. Not sure how well those covers are secured and their weight. Just stand behind the yellow line to look out.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 7, 2017 7:52:37 GMT -8
The garage deck on Salish Orca: A curiosity when the design was announced, a scary thing for some people when they heard about it, and a fascinating place for me to be. Here's my view of the hatches opening and closing, and of me driving up the ramps. This is from June 2 & 4, 2017. Video quality isn't great, but I wanted to present what is still a new and unique experience. On the garage deck at Little River, waiting for the hatches to close C0004T01 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr We've arrived at Westivew, and I'm waiting for the hatch to open . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr ---------------- Video HERE:
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Post by dofd on Jun 7, 2017 9:29:42 GMT -8
The garage deck on Salish Orca: A curiosity when the design was announced, a scary thing for some people when they heard about it, and a fascinating place for me to be. Here's my view of the hatches opening and closing, and of me driving up the ramps. This is from June 2 & 4, 2017. Video quality isn't great, but I wanted to present what is still a new a unique experience. That transition at the top of the ramp looks abrupt.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 7, 2017 9:37:40 GMT -8
Departure for Salish Orca has a flurry of activity, sights and sounds as large moving parts are closed-up when the ship departs. Here are my views of this. My video includes the sounds, which might get annoying. But after the sirens have stopped, you can hear how quiet the ride is. Orca at Comox, ready to depart: . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Salish Shamu leaving Westivew . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr ------------------- VIDEO:
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 7, 2017 17:05:38 GMT -8
Salish Orca arriving at Powell River. She does it four times a day, except for 3 on Saturdays. This is from Saturday June 3, 2017. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Did I mention that S'Orca is a fun ship to photograph?
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Post by northwesterner on Jun 7, 2017 18:17:52 GMT -8
If I was that kid, I would not stand too close to the portholes. Not sure how well those covers are secured and their weight. Just stand behind the yellow line to look out. The picture does look a little precarious but those portholes and held up from above. The weight of the window pushes down on the latches, which means the only way for them to come loose is to push upwards on the porthole.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 7, 2017 19:05:00 GMT -8
The porthole covers, aka Deadlights, are actually dogged in place quite securely, as precarious as it looks. There are two butterfly nuts holding them up that are holding the deadlight right up against the stop. You would need a hammer or a wrench to loosen them off.
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