|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 25, 2020 18:55:20 GMT -8
Latest update on the Island Discovery as per the Northern Sunshine Coast FAC. She’s expected to be out at least 6 days, so the Quadra Queen II will take over Route 25 on Sunday allowing the Island Aurora to relieve Route 18 in time for start of service on Monday. Full details below. Wow (the bad kind of wow) that BC Ferries still hasn't fixed the problem of their only replacement vessel not fitting the Westview dock. What an inefficient situation with a slow ship (QQ2) needing to sail from Buckley Bay to Port McNeill. It's situations like this that might turn me into a curmudgeon.
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
|
Post by Neil on Sept 25, 2020 19:14:32 GMT -8
Latest update on the Island Discovery as per the Northern Sunshine Coast FAC. She’s expected to be out at least 6 days, so the Quadra Queen II will take over Route 25 on Sunday allowing the Island Aurora to relieve Route 18 in time for start of service on Monday. Full details below. Wow (the bad kind of wow) that BC Ferries still hasn't fixed the problem of their only replacement vessel not fitting the Westview dock. What an inefficient situation with a slow ship (QQ2) needing to sail from Buckley Bay to Port McNeill. It's situations like this that might turn me into a curmudgeon. No, Mike! Not a curmudgeon! One must evolve through life... not devolve... But given that even in the early days of this forum, you were outed as to your 'sarcasm', I guess it's not surprising. Texada must be getting a bit jaded about their shiny new ferry. And this is a very expensive fix for BC Ferries, with all the switches and improvisations. One can only hope this is teething pains, and not a harbinger of her character over the long term. The memory of the North Island Princess must be a source of very pleasant nostalgia right now for Texadians... can't say I would blame them.
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Sept 25, 2020 19:53:01 GMT -8
Wow (the bad kind of wow) that BC Ferries still hasn't fixed the problem of their only replacement vessel not fitting the Westview dock. What an inefficient situation with a slow ship (QQ2) needing to sail from Buckley Bay to Port McNeill. It's situations like this that might turn me into a curmudgeon. No, Mike! Not a curmudgeon! One must evolve through life... not devolve... But given that even in the early days of this forum, you were outed as to your 'sarcasm', I guess it's not surprising. Texada must be getting a bit jaded about their shiny new ferry. And this is a very expensive fix for BC Ferries, with all the switches and improvisations. One can only hope this is teething pains, and not a harbinger of her character over the long term. The memory of the North Island Princess must be a source of very pleasant nostalgia right now for Texadians... can't say I would blame them. BC Ferries isn't the only one who has experienced problems with Damen built vessels. Newfoundland's MV Veteran and MV Legionnaire have both experienced numerous mechanical failings and issues since receiving them from Damen. It makes me wonder a little about the quality of Damen's work. Some teething problems for new vessels is expected, but this seems deeper than that. Here's an article from 2019 about some of the issues Newfoundland has had: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/ferries-repairs-veteran-legionnaire-taxpayers-1.5203568
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
|
Post by Neil on Sept 25, 2020 20:43:25 GMT -8
No, Mike! Not a curmudgeon! One must evolve through life... not devolve... But given that even in the early days of this forum, you were outed as to your 'sarcasm', I guess it's not surprising. Texada must be getting a bit jaded about their shiny new ferry. And this is a very expensive fix for BC Ferries, with all the switches and improvisations. One can only hope this is teething pains, and not a harbinger of her character over the long term. The memory of the North Island Princess must be a source of very pleasant nostalgia right now for Texadians... can't say I would blame them. BC Ferries isn't the only one who has experienced problems with Damen built vessels. Newfoundland's MV Veteran and MV Legionnaire have both experienced numerous mechanical failings and issues since receiving them from Damen. It makes me wonder a little about the quality of Damen's work. Some teething problems for new vessels is expected, but this seems deeper than that. Here's an article from 2019 about some of the issues Newfoundland has had: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/ferries-repairs-veteran-legionnaire-taxpayers-1.5203568Well... that insight certainly isn't very encouraging. We've got four more of these vessels coming...
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 25, 2020 20:48:11 GMT -8
Well... that insight certainly isn't very encouraging. We've got four more of these vessels coming... It appears that the vessels were built by Damien Shipyards, instead of Damen Shipyards. [the above reply is a reference to some horror movies and TV]
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Sept 26, 2020 8:12:43 GMT -8
It appears that the vessels were built by Damien Shipyards, instead of Damen Shipyards. [the above reply is a reference to some horror movies and TV] Your explanation of the joke is funnier than the joke itself! Pun intended?
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 26, 2020 9:01:12 GMT -8
It appears that the vessels were built by Damien Shipyards, instead of Damen Shipyards. [the above reply is a reference to some horror movies and TV] Your explanation of the joke is funnier than the joke itself! Pun intended? Now you've got me searching my words for hidden puns. I was just intending a Damien/Damen pun to make light of Damen Shipyards by changing name to "Damien" which I think is just a character in "The Omen" movie (which I never saw) and which was also an A&E TV series (according to Wikipedia). I haven't seen the movie or TV series, but my limited knowledge of pop culture tells me that I can associate the name "Damien" with something evil.
|
|
|
Post by paulvanb on Sept 27, 2020 17:33:59 GMT -8
I don't think a drive engine is Damen's fault. (unless, it was their suggestion to install) The folks in Alert Bay will be happy to get QQII back again.
|
|
|
Post by priver on Oct 19, 2020 6:30:37 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Oct 19, 2020 20:15:18 GMT -8
Sometime over the weekend the Disco arrived at Point Hope, as of this morning looked to the untrained eye that work was already under way.
|
|
|
Post by Dane on Nov 6, 2020 15:32:08 GMT -8
Disco is crossing under Johnson Street Bridge right now! Under tow, but engines are presumably running based on exhaust.
I can only assuming leaving Victoria.
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
|
Post by Neil on Nov 27, 2020 20:28:55 GMT -8
Do we still have reporters in Powell River? Curtis?
I've noticed that BC Ferries now gives the crossing time to Blubber Bay as twenty minutes. I think it used to be 30-35 minutes on their old schedules. I understand that Island Discovery has a faster service speed than the North Island Princess- fourteen knots as opposed to ten- but anytime I look on the ship positions page, she seems to be doing eleven or so, so that really wouldn't change the crossing time significantly. Perhaps a factor is not having to back into the berth at Westview? Anyway... did anyone clock the actual crossing times with the NIP in the past, and has it changed with the new vessel?
I notice also that with their new website, BC Ferries no longer lists the route distance. I think Blubber Bay used to be five nautical miles... a bit of a stretch to think that could be done in twenty minutes.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Nov 27, 2020 20:38:26 GMT -8
I have tracked it on Siitech and it’s still about 30 mins. I wondered the same thing why it’s listed at 20 mins! I don’t like the new schedules to be honest.
|
|
|
Post by Curtis on Nov 28, 2020 8:21:43 GMT -8
Do we still have reporters in Powell River? Curtis? I've noticed that BC Ferries now gives the crossing time to Blubber Bay as twenty minutes. I think it used to be 30-35 minutes on their old schedules. I understand that Island Discovery has a faster service speed than the North Island Princess- fourteen knots as opposed to ten- but anytime I look on the ship positions page, she seems to be doing eleven or so, so that really wouldn't change the crossing time significantly. Perhaps a factor is not having to back into the berth at Westview? Anyway... did anyone clock the actual crossing times with the NIP in the past, and has it changed with the new vessel? I notice also that with their new website, BC Ferries no longer lists the route distance. I think Blubber Bay used to be five nautical miles... a bit of a stretch to think that could be done in twenty minutes. Route 18 is definitely faster now than it was under the North Island Princess. The BCF site listed the crossing time as 35-40 minutes before. (On another note, Route 17 is still listed as 85-90 minutes rather than 70-75 like it should) 20 minutes though, that’s a stretch if you ask me. My guess is that the 20 minute crossing time is the time it takes for the Salish Class rather than the Island Class. (Especially when you consider how many times the Eagle has done the 17a triangle as of late) Though I wouldn’t doubt the Discovery or Aurora could do Route 18 in 20 if they went at their maximum speed. One of my rides on the Discovery, she did the run in about 25 minutes and averaged around 13 knots to make up for an earlier delay. 20 minutes into that sailing, we were entering Blubber Bay. If she pushed a little more, perhaps 20 would be attainable, but, like Karl said above, 30 minutes is now the average. (Service speed capped at 12 knots) That’s similar to the NIP running at her full speed and not needing to back out or in.
|
|
|
Post by priver on Nov 29, 2020 8:14:00 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Nov 4, 2021 14:04:50 GMT -8
Island Discovery is heading to Buckle Bay.
|
|
|
Post by aidanperret on Dec 8, 2021 20:50:57 GMT -8
Island Discovery in late August preparing to load at Westview for the last run of the day.
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Dec 28, 2021 22:29:52 GMT -8
When will the Island Discover re-take over the Taxada Island route?
|
|
|
Post by aidanperret on Dec 30, 2021 17:08:59 GMT -8
The Island Discovery today at Buckley Bay. This ferry normally does the Blubber Bay to Westview run but is down due to a cooling issue.
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jan 18, 2022 16:35:49 GMT -8
Island Discovery is back on Texada Island route.
|
|
|
Post by Departure Bay on Jan 25, 2022 19:06:49 GMT -8
The Island Discovery is on its way in to Departure Bay.
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jan 27, 2022 15:25:28 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jan 30, 2022 16:00:24 GMT -8
Island Discovery is back on Texada Island route.
|
|
|
Post by aidanperret on Mar 23, 2022 8:22:39 GMT -8
Island Discovery and the Salish Orca, March 22nd, 2022.
|
|
|
Post by harrysbird on Oct 3, 2022 12:45:11 GMT -8
Refit is completed, This ferry is now sailing back to Powell river
Update: Ferry has stopped in Buckley Bay for overnight.
|
|