|
|
Post by mybidness459 on Jun 8, 2017 11:28:51 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Scott on Jun 11, 2017 16:43:20 GMT -8
Photos of Salish Eagle's visit to Long Harbour this Thursday for crew training...
June 8, 2017The following images posted by this account are copyright © S.A. ~ Unauthorized use is prohibited.
 BC Ferries - Salish Eagle entering Long Harbour, SSI. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle emerging from behind Clamshell Islet. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle approaching the terminal at Long Harbour, SSI. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle departing Long Harbour, SSI. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle outbound from Long Harbour, SSI. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle outbound from Long Harbour, SSI. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle rounding Nose Point en route to Tsawwassen. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle rounding Nose Point en route to Tsawwassen. by Scott, on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Jun 12, 2017 4:42:36 GMT -8
Love the wraps on Salish Eagle. I think I like it better than the ones adorning Orca. Haven't seen anything on the BC Ferries website about any kind of public open ship event for this vessel. I guess there isn't going to be one?
|
|
|
|
Post by bigcountry on Jun 16, 2017 7:15:15 GMT -8
Does BC Ferries have a plan B in case the Salish Eagle isn't ready to go by Wednesday? And once the Nanny is retired is she going to be the Salt Spring based vessel or the Tsawassen/relief vessel?
|
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 16, 2017 11:08:24 GMT -8
Does BC Ferries have a plan B in case the Salish Eagle isn't ready to go by Wednesday? And once the Nanny is retired is she going to be the Salt Spring based vessel or the Tsawassen/relief vessel? I believe she gets moved to Long Harbour after the summer season. |
|
|
|
Post by mybidness459 on Jun 16, 2017 13:19:36 GMT -8
The Bowen Queen is not doing anything this summer that I know of. She probably is the Plan B once the NIP returns to service.
Looks like the Bowen will be on R&R basking in the sun this summer all she needs is a nice pair of shades around her wheelhouse Windows and a Pina Colada! LOL😇
|
|
|
|
Post by yak on Jun 16, 2017 17:09:18 GMT -8
Does BC Ferries have a plan B in case the Salish Eagle isn't ready to go by Wednesday? And once the Nanny is retired is she going to be the Salt Spring based vessel or the Tsawassen/relief vessel? I believe she gets moved to Long Harbour after the summer season. She will indeed be the SSI based vessel after the summer with the Raven being the relief/TSA vessel. |
|
|
|
Post by mybidness459 on Jun 19, 2017 13:51:33 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Jun 19, 2017 17:52:08 GMT -8
Where did the Eagle actually go? Summer schedule a two days early?
|
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Jun 19, 2017 19:19:29 GMT -8
Where did the Eagle actually go? Summer schedule a two days early? Today she went to Pender, Salt Spring, and back to Tsawwassen. The Chief Officer on the Nanaimo was puzzled as to how much traffic would still be left at Tsawwassen by they'd actually arrive at Tsawwassen, which was just as the Eagle took off with a decent little load of traffic. |
|
|
|
Post by gulfislandkayaker on Jun 20, 2017 19:04:47 GMT -8
I will be on the Eagle tomorrow for the direct sailing from Otter Bay to Tsawwassen at 11:40am.
Looking forward to getting the measure of what will be my SGI ferry-future for the next big chunk of my life.
|
|
John H
Voyager 
Admin Emeritus
Posts: 2,919 
|
Post by John H on Jun 21, 2017 18:31:31 GMT -8
This morning I was on the maiden voyage of the SALISH EAGLE from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour, and then back with a stop at Otter Bay. Took my 5-year old son along for the cruise, and enjoyed meeting up with Scott and Michael H. Thanks to Scott for using his connections to get us a bridge visit and thanks to the BC Ferries employees and crew members who happily accommodated us. The cashier on board is now trained on how to sell a return ticket to ferry fans who don't want to get off, haha.
It was perfect weather, and being a Wednesday before the full onset of the summer crowds, there wasn't a huge vehicle or passenger load. They used the lower car deck just once: while loading at Long Harbour - probably more for the practise than the actual need to. The ferry is very nice. I'm not sure how it will handle full loads on a rainy day, but there is a nice variety of seating inside and outside. Lots of windows, lots of outdoor space. Quite a smooth ride; I didn't notice a lot of vibration however there was a bit of movement from the waves when out in Georgia Strait.
I'll leave it up to Scott and Michael to fill in more details and provide some professional photographs!
|
|
|
|
Post by penderdiver on Jun 22, 2017 22:14:43 GMT -8
It looks like the Salish Eagle has been swapped to fill some of the Nanny's sailings (not sure if this is the 9 or 9A schedule) - I guess the test comes fast.
|
|
|
|
Post by Scott on Jun 25, 2017 22:35:38 GMT -8
Photos from the inaugural round trip of the Salish Eagle on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Thank you to BC Ferries for extending an invitation to be aboard for this historic day!
June 21, 2017The following images posted by this account are copyright © S.A. ~ Unauthorized use is prohibited.
 BC Ferries - Salish Eagle at Berth 1, Tsawwassen. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Sun Deck Seating, Salish Eagle. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Pickle Forks (No. 2 End), Salish Eagle. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Builder's Plaque (Deck 3), Salish Eagle. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle at Berth 1, Tsawwassen. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - No. 2 End Lounge Seating, Salish Eagle. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Wartsila 8L20DF Engine (M/E No. 1), Salish Eagle. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle southbound in Active Pass en route to Long Harbour, SSI. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle southbound in Active Pass off Helen Point en route to Long Harbour, SSI. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle in Long Harbour. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle at Long Harbour Terminal. by Scott, on Flickr  BC Ferries - Salish Eagle departing Long Harbour Terminal. by Scott, on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by dofd on Jun 26, 2017 13:33:27 GMT -8
Salish Eagle holding in active pass for the Galiano Island berth to clear. Caught it last minute, so no close up.
|
|
|
|
Post by ferryfanyvr on Jun 26, 2017 19:58:45 GMT -8
I'm wondering if the Eagle will start using berth 2 at Tsawwassen for some sailings once the Nanaimo is out of the way. I realize that since berth 1 is the Eagle's tie-up berth, that the first departure and last arrival each day will probably utilize berth 1, but I would think that berth 2 would be preferred for the middle of the day sailings since it has the overhead walkway. From what I've been seeing on SiiTech, the Eagle has been using berth 1 even when #2 is vacant due to the Nanaimo being tested out on the water.
Interestingly, when I caught the Eagle's 1745 sailing from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour on Sunday, it used berth 3 as it was running 80 minutes late and when it was in dock, there was no conflict with the route 30 vessel. They DID use the overhead walkway on that sailing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Jun 26, 2017 22:47:07 GMT -8
I'm wondering if the Eagle will start using berth 2 at Tsawwassen for some sailings once the Nanaimo is out of the way. I realize that since berth 1 is the Eagle's tie-up berth, that the first departure and last arrival each day will probably utilize berth 1, but I would think that berth 2 would be preferred for the middle of the day sailings since it has the overhead walkway. From what I've been seeing on SiiTech, the Eagle has been using berth 1 even when #2 is vacant due to the Nanaimo being tested out on the water. Interestingly, when I caught the Eagle's 1745 sailing from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour on Sunday, it used berth 3 as it was running 80 minutes late and when it was in dock, there was no conflict with the route 30 vessel. They DID use the overhead walkway on that sailing. You might actually find that the Eagle is too tall to use the overhead walkway at Berth 2 in Tsawwassen, or at least at high tide it is for sure. Deck 4 on the Eagle is at about the same level as the wheelhouse on the Nanaimo, which is Deck 5 plus some steps to reach the wheelhouse on there. It'll be interesting to see if that overhead walkway will ever be modified over the years, but I do imagine it's pretty low on the list of priorities right now. Time will tell. |
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Jun 27, 2017 13:50:52 GMT -8
I did my first substantial Salish-class sailing yesterday, doing about five hours on the Eagle off and on. Generally I like the Salish class; the ship is well laid out for the most part and uses space efficiently. It's a comfortable ride (yesterday was surprisingly filled with sustained moderate wind and lots of accompanying wave action). Many have covered most everything about the boats, but I'll nitpick a few things:
- many have talked about the door beeping. It's insane that to get outside you need to wait thirty seconds for a door cycle with ear-drum pain inducing volume in a small hallway. I'm curious why these bomb proof shelter water tight doors are required? The volume on the six doors for the Eagle are at inconsistent volumes. Some are way too loud. I pity the cashier who sits next to that annoying beeping every day.
- the doors themselves to access the exterior of the bot are unreliable. I'm sure it'll get fixed eventually but two were out of service when I boarded. One was kept open as a result, and one was fixed. Shortly after that second door was repaired a third stopped working.
- they're displaying the wrong licenses on the bit, they're from the commissioning phase. I didn't say anything, didn't want to be that guy lol.
- the kids area is junk. A TV and four chairs or something like that with a stretch of open carpet. There were a few disappointed parents.
- back to noises. This has got to be the loudest ship in the fleet. One end has a high pitch "beep" for arrival / departure as opposed to the "buzz" on every other ship (the other end of the Eagle also has the buzzz). The car deck doors sound off with an even more annoying tone as they're raised and lowered - not a fast process. Not sure what's special about these particular doors that necessitates a five kilometres radius being advised of their opening or closing since there's a large physical barricade to keep you away.
- I do like the boats but all that noise makes it almost unpleasant to be aboard. I have a job filled with constant beeps, bops, static, etc and have a pretty high tolerance to ambient noise but these boats are excessive to the point I think it'll actually have to change. If I was a catering employee I'd have a grievance in about the volume of the door alarms for sure. The doors themselves in their current design strikes me as something that won't last forever. I've never realized how much I alternate between being inside and outside of the berry until it became a conserved and annoying effort to transition.
- the new safety & welcome aboard video is great.
- I was on very busy sailings as the Nanaimo was out of service. (Side note one watch of the Nanaimo's crew was aboard for training) The large crowds seemed to disappear on the boat, albeit with help from large numbers in the other decks. Given I believe (correct me if I am wrong) the license maxed at 584 passengers it seems that everyone could be seated. You would have to make friends but I anecdotally suspect this ship probably has one of the best seat to licensed passenger ratios in the fleet. It's just a bit deceiving because if the layout.
Lots of learning going on by too by the crew. At Long Harbour the Tsawwassen bound traffic is loaded into the garage deck - unfortunately a Sturdies Bay bound vehicle also ended up down there which necessitated pretty substantial effort to get her out on Galiano leading to a twenty minute delay. When docking a couple times we actually came to a full stop well ahead of the dock itself. Landing in Long Harbour took about five minutes to complete the final fifteen or so meters. But I'm sure this will all be corrected with time.
Tl;dr - ships nice. Way too loud.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2017 15:33:40 GMT -8
many have talked about the door beeping. It's insane that to get outside you need to wait thirty seconds for a door cycle with ear-drum pain inducing volume in a small hallway. I'm curious why these bomb proof shelter water tight doors are required? One of my friends speculated that the thick exterior doors were a requirement for the cross-Atlantic delivery journey. She speculates that the lounge deck & sun-deck dooors will be replaced at the next refit. ---------------- If I was a catering employee I'd have a grievance in about the volume of the door alarms for sure. Here's what BCFMWU president Johnston had to say: from HERE |
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Jun 27, 2017 17:07:27 GMT -8
Interesting thanks for sharing that.
Lots of good to work with here but a few of the issues strike as fairly profound.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 27, 2017 21:41:08 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by gulfislandkayaker on Jun 28, 2017 8:47:45 GMT -8
I am currently in the midst of my 4th sailing on the Eagle. Seas are not exactly flat heading across the strait, but hardly anything approaching what you would call "gnarly". Yet, the ship is exhibiting quite a bit of roll...and having sailed on the Nanaimo for the entire duration of it's SGI stint, I can tell you that it would not be handling this way.
Given the Eagle's tall height and comparitively narrower width...not surprised by this. But oh boy, Winter crossings are gonna be something when the wind is up.
|
|
|
|
Post by ferryfanyvr on Jul 1, 2017 19:51:18 GMT -8
A few observations during my 2nd voyage aboard the Salish Eagle, today's 1050 am sailing from Tsawwassen to Galiano:
-she used berth 1 at Tsawwassen even though berth 2 was available. A terminal attendant told me that there's a "fitting problem" with the Eagle at berth 2, but that it's a fairly minor issue and the Eagle should be using berth 2 in a couple weeks.
-moderately busy with vehicle traffic..the garage deck was full and the main deck was about half full.
-the beeping doors weren't an issue today as the heavy outer doors were kept in the open position.
-seas were only slightly choppy after departing Tsawwassen but the vessel rolled enough to cause a couple passengers to lose balance and reach out to steady themselves.
-the biggest negative issue I noticed was that even though many passengers spent the time on the outer decks due to the beautiful weather, the interior lounges still felt very crowded. The queue for the cafeteria stretched almost to the opposite end lounge and 2 announcements were made to ask people to move as soon as they finished eating to make way for other customers.
I think the Salish class will be great ships for routes 9/9a once they get the minor kinks worked out, but as many of us predicted, the size of the interior lounge space might cause problems on busy sailings.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigcountry on Jul 14, 2017 20:40:03 GMT -8
I took my first ride on the Salish Eagle today (9:35am sailing) and while I didn't get any pictures here's my recap...
-she used Berth 3 (including the foot passenger walkway) despite departing just 10 minutes before the Queen of Alberni was due to arrive
-all Galiano Island traffic was loaded on the bottom deck while Mayne Island and Pender Island (transfer at Mayne) traffic was loaded on the top deck
-heavy beeping doors were an issue... 2 separate doors got stuck 6 inches from being closed for a couple minutes (one was minutes before arrive at Village Bay) which made things very interesting
-people also pushed the button like they would an elevator button rather than holding it and would expect it to magically open
-both elevators were out of service
-while the sailing was not full, the passenger cabin was about 80% full and half the passengers on board were outside
-the PA was not working properly, so the passengers outside at the #1 end of the ship did not hear the "attention passengers on the outside deck, the ships whistle will sound" so as we went through active pass some people got a nice wake up call
-upon arrive back at Tsawwassen, the Queen of Nanaimo was in Berth 2, Coastal Inspiration was in Berth 3, Spirit of Vancouver Island was not far behind looking to use Berth 5. Berth 4 was empty however we used Berth 1
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,307
|
Post by Neil on Jul 14, 2017 20:59:36 GMT -8
I took my first ride on the Salish Eagle today (9:35am sailing) and while I didn't get any pictures here's my recap... -she used Berth 3 (including the foot passenger walkway) despite departing just 10 minutes before the Queen of Alberni was due to arrive -all Galiano Island traffic was loaded on the bottom deck while Mayne Island and Pender Island (transfer at Mayne) traffic was loaded on the top deck -heavy beeping doors were an issue... 2 separate doors got stuck 6 inches from being closed for a couple minutes (one was minutes before arrive at Village Bay) which made things very interesting -people also pushed the button like they would an elevator button rather than holding it and would expect it to magically open -both elevators were out of service -while the sailing was not full, the passenger cabin was about 80% full and half the passengers on board were outside -the PA was not working properly, so the passengers outside at the #1 end of the ship did not hear the "attention passengers on the outside deck, the ships whistle will sound" so as we went through active pass some people got a nice wake up call -upon arrive back at Tsawwassen, the Queen of Nanaimo was in Berth 2, Coastal Inspiration was in Berth 3, Spirit of Vancouver Island was not far behind looking to use Berth 5. Berth 4 was empty however we used Berth 1 I won't mention the name, but I was somewhat puzzled at the WCFF senior member who said that the ratio of seats to passengers was really high... I seem to recall reading that these vessels would have less than four hundred seats for a pax max of 600. This is going to be really unpleasant on a rainy sailing with a lot of footies. I'm back on the mainland for several weeks- escaping Hornby's summer hordes- and I'm really looking forward to a couple of rides on the Salish Eagle, to see for myself. I guess the ferry fan gene never really dies. I'm also curious to see if the woman who really loved her summer assignment in the Bowen Queen's snack bar has scored a spot on the Bowen's successor as a bit of seasonal relief from the Duke point run. |
|
