Current BC Ferries Fleet General Discussion

[grk2]

On the weekend I had a chance to chat with few Damem engineers. Apparently the Island class vessels are light enough for the ways at Point Hope Shipyard. However the vessel length prohibits the turntable from rotating the ship so that it can be slid onto one of the rail tracks for work. It is not possible to work on a vessel when it is on the turntable.
At present they are looking for a remedy to the situation, or will have to use a drydock in Esquimalt or North Van. They have lots if time as the haul outs will not commence until the last quarter of 2004.

[Ferryman]

Not quite sure why this is an "issue", since there are a few other drydocks around that would be able to accommodate an Island Class

[timmyc]

Jun 23, 2023 17:06:18 GMT -8 grk2 said:

On the weekend I had a chance to chat with few Damem engineers. Apparently the Island class vessels are light enough for the ways at Point Hope Shipyard. However the vessel length prohibits the turntable from rotating the ship so that it can be slid onto one of the rail tracks for work. It is not possible to work on a vessel when it is on the turntable.
At present they are looking for a remedy to the situation, or will have to use a drydock in Esquimalt or North Van. They have lots if time as the haul outs will not commence until the last quarter of 2004.

A Times Colonist article from last week highlights their desire/goal for future expansion in that regard: www.timescolonist.com/islander/point-hope-shipyard-marks-150-years-and-counting-on-the-upper-harbour-7161077

The shipyard has plans to establish a graving dock that will allow it to service vessels up to 560 feet in length, meaning it could handle most Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Coast Guard and B.C. Ferries vessels.



But first, it needs to secure years’ worth of future work, Maxwell said.



That would allow the company to invest heavily — a graving dock has been estimated to cost in excess of $100 million — and to attract and train a workforce, which Maxwell says is likely a five- to seven-year process.

[Nick]

Jun 24, 2023 12:11:13 GMT -8 Ferryman said:

Not quite sure why this is an "issue", since there are a few other drydocks around that would be able to accommodate an Island Class

The only "issue" I know of is that Point Hope is Damen's designated warranty repair yard. Maybe the first dockings were supposed to be done there as part of the initial build contract?

[Kahloke]

I've consolidated the posts regarding the Island Class vessel drydocking conversation into this thread and renamed the thread Current BC Ferries General Discussion.  This will be a good location to post information or discussions that are broader than a specific vessel, but pertain to the current fleet.

[Blue Bus Fan]

How often do ferries get fuelled?

[Nick]

Jul 3, 2023 8:43:32 GMT -8 Blue Bus Fan said:

How often do ferries get fuelled?

Depends on the vessel and the route. Short answer is when they need it

Spirits get fuel every night (Except Sunday, I think?). I would imagine the route 2 and 30 number 1 vessels would be similar.

Back before the LNG conversion, the Spirits burned about 12,500L of diesel per round trip. 4 RT per day is 50,000L. A tandem B-train holds about 60,000L or 60m3.

Similar math would apply to the other vessels proportionately to their fuel consumption.

[Neil]

Jul 6, 2023 17:45:45 GMT -8 Nick said:

Jul 3, 2023 8:43:32 GMT -8 Blue Bus Fan said:

How often do ferries get fuelled?

Depends on the vessel and the route. Short answer is when they need it

Spirits get fuel every night (Except Sunday, I think?). I would imagine the route 2 and 30 number 1 vessels would be similar.

Back before the LNG conversion, the Spirits burned about 12,500L of diesel per round trip. 4 RT per day is 50,000L. A tandem B-train holds about 60,000L or 60m3.

Similar math would apply to the other vessels proportionately to their fuel consumption.

So... I've always been wrong thinking that the route nine vessel sat at Tsawwassen for such a long time every Saturday evening, because that's when she got refueled? Only once a week?

[Ferryman]

Jul 8, 2023 21:24:55 GMT -8 Neil said:

Jul 6, 2023 17:45:45 GMT -8 Nick said:

Depends on the vessel and the route. Short answer is when they need it

Spirits get fuel every night (Except Sunday, I think?). I would imagine the route 2 and 30 number 1 vessels would be similar.

Back before the LNG conversion, the Spirits burned about 12,500L of diesel per round trip. 4 RT per day is 50,000L. A tandem B-train holds about 60,000L or 60m3.

Similar math would apply to the other vessels proportionately to their fuel consumption.

So... I've always been wrong thinking that the route nine vessel sat at Tsawwassen for such a long time every Saturday evening, because that's when she got refueled? Only once a week?

Yes, the Long Harbour based Route 9 vessel still has a Saturday evening layover for refuelling. Sometimes a top up is needed on Wednesdays, usually only diesel though.