456 replies to this topic

[57WestHills]

The Coho to Sidney Tsawassen comparison is reserved for Internet commentators that actually have little subject matter knowledge. In short, as aforementioned the Sidney ran more and "harder" than the Coho. She also, very importantly, had differences in the power plant. The Sidney was retired because she was making crews sick in the engineering spaces, BC Ferries didn't remove her because there was actually a replacement, it was a semi-fluke that the Burnaby became available and it relieved some stress as the then Corporation looked for a viable alternative which would probably have been a new ship.

Running a ferry for so long is ridiculous. Only in this Washington / BC bubble is it normal. BC Ferries is second only to WSF in fleet age for major ferry providers in the developed world.

The Coho is sort of neat because it's old, but it really should be razor blades. If she were subject to Canadian regulations she'd be long gone or very extensively renovated (see: Queens of Nanaimo, Burnaby, New WesT)

Finally, the retirement of the BC Ferries is literally keeping the Coho alive. Some pretty major components are from the Sidney for sure, and I've heard passive rumour of the Tsawwassen (which is still in use but not under its own power for movement at least)

Edited by 57WestHills, 28 February 2016 - 07:27 PM.

[HB]

A few of the Alaska Marine highway Ferries are of the same design Ive been on the Malaspina many times on commutes between Skagway and Juneau and its pretty much the same layout as the Coho except it has a bar and a much larger cafeteria and close to 100 staterooms

[57WestHills]

Also the same designer, but clearly different layout is the original C Class ferries (Alberni, Cowichan, Coquitlam), Queen of the Islands, and a handful of Washington State Ferries boats. Spaulding was his surname.

[HB]

Coho and Malaspina,, La Conte and others are built for open water and rougher seas where they cut through water. BC ferries cant handle gale force winds or heavy seas whereas the Coho always plows on

[HB]

[VicHockeyFan]

Coho and Malaspina,, La Conte and others are built for open water and rougher seas where they cut through water. BC ferries cant handle gale force winds or heavy seas whereas the Coho always plows on

 

Ya, it plows on, but does so many fewer hours per year than its former contemporaries.

[HB]

Its never been down except for the snowstorm in 96  the only reason it didn't sail was due to the fact the crew was unable to get to the ship. It used to sail a regular route from Victoria to Port Townsend Seattle and Port Angeles.Not just Vic to PA  I think that it has been far more reliable and trustworthy than the old calls BCF vessels . It has gone into drydock every year

[VicHockeyFan]

Its never been down except for the snowstorm in 96  the only reason it didn't sail was due to the fact the crew was unable to get to the ship. It used to sail a regular route from Victoria to Port Townsend Seattle and Port Angeles.Not just Vic to PA  I think that it has been far more reliable and trustworthy than the old calls BCF vessels . It has gone into drydock every year

 

Ya, but the Sidney ran 7am to 9pm, every day all year round, 4 rounds trips.  The Coho only does a run or two every day most of the year, and only does 4 round trips in the highest season (~3 months).  HUGE difference in total operating hours, especially when the Coho only does a few hours a day in the hard weather time of year.  Sidney never had that option.

[HB]

you have a valid point

[Bingo]

You can debate the pros and cons forever, but a REAL ship has a bow like the Coho, and she has lines that make her my all time favourite. 

[VicHockeyFan]

[HB]

http://youtu.be/MKIs4tqDrug

[Bingo]

Thanks for the video HB

That's going to be a huge improvement in the service the way they stepped up the unloading/loading.

I think they should be able to make fifty round trips per day...piece of cake.

[HB]

Yes I agree Bingo it sure looks good. The Coho people were saying there will be on overhead pedestrian ramp installed and that when the Coho section is finished the work will move down to the Clipper.

Edited by HB, 01 March 2016 - 08:00 AM.

[Bingo]

[Bingo]

Nudge nudge

 

 

[Nparker]

Nudge nudge

[Gary H]

http://youtu.be/MKIs4tqDrug

 

Probably your best time-lapse yet.  The loading and unloading of vehicles was cartoon-like.  How could such a long semi-truck zoom in there without busting out the other side?  

[HB]

I like the rocking of the  ship while it is loading.Ive got to get on it and do a time-lapse of the round trip like the BC Ferry ones I did

[JanionGuy]

Can anyone guess what will likely happen to the removed piles, timbers, muck etc.?

 

I asked this question on Feb 22 and now i have my answer, for the time being anyhow!