456 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

The Coho car ferry, which operates between Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington, will be out of service for nearly a month in January as it undergoes annual maintenance. The ferry won’t be operating between Jan. 3 and Jan. 25.

 

Ryan Burles, president of Black Ball Ferry Line, said the shutdown is longer than usual because of the pandemic, when it was only in dry dock for a few days. Normally, the vessel is out of service for two weeks or so in late January.

 

“We’ve now got a little bit more to do,” he said.

 

 

https://www.timescol...tenance-6295302

 

 

 

 

Burles said the longer maintenance period is also due to the fact the vessel runs twice a day, while in the past when it sailed once a day there was time for mechanics to work between sailings.     ????

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 December 2022 - 03:16 PM.

[Nparker]

Didn't the Coho stop running during the pandemic? If so, wouldn't that have been a good time for more extensive maintenance?

[Victoria Watcher]

The passenger ferry service operated by FRS Clipper between Victoria and Seattle will return to service Thursday after a winter dry-dock maintenance period.

 

The vessel will run Thursday through Monday until April 3. On April 6, it will start daily service to handle the expected rush of passengers heading into peak season.

 

https://www.timescol...trouble-6633894

[todd]

Didn't the Coho stop running during the pandemic? If so, wouldn't that have been a good time for more extensive maintenance?

wouldn’t that have involved a lot of people working in tight spaces during a pandemic?

(sorry about the editing on that one, when I started I hadn’t had a cup of coffee)

Edited by todd, 03 March 2023 - 08:14 AM.

[Mike K.]

🔹Funding secured for Victoria’s Belleville Street ferry terminal; $304 million project to complete in 2028🔹

More from the province:

A new, modern Belleville Terminal and an improved travelling experience for ferry passengers took a significant step forward as the Province approved funding for a redevelopment project.

“The new facility we’re building is going to generate hundreds of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in additional visitor spending over the coming decades,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “A modern pre-clearance terminal will make travel more convenient for tourists, while enhancing security and trade between Vancouver Island and Washington state, improving Vancouver Island’s tourism sector and boosting regional business investment.”

With an approved budget of $303.9 million, the project is expected to be completed in time for the 2028 tourism season. The federal government has confirmed $41.6 million for the project.The Province is also in discussions with ferry operators Black Ball Ferry Line and FRS Clipper to determine their respective involvement in the project. Procurement will begin in the coming weeks.

“By investing in a premier international gateway terminal that meets modern safety and security standards, our government will help grow British Columbia’s economy and ensure a prosperous and sustainable future,” said Randy Boissonnault, federal Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “This project will welcome global tourists and business travellers into the heart of Victoria’s inner harbour with world-class service while creating good-paying jobs and facilitating the movement of goods.”

The upgrade will bring Belleville Terminal into compliance with the Canada-U.S. Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance Agreement. Using pre-clearance, travellers will complete the U.S. customs and immigration process in Victoria and enjoy the convenience of disembarking in the United States with no further delays.

As an international gateway for goods, services, and passengers, the new terminal will help drive regional and provincial economic growth. Travellers spend approximately $174 million annually, generating $268 million in economic output and $155 million in provincial gross domestic product.

Belleville Terminal is on the territory of the Lekwungen peoples and the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The Province is working collaboratively with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations to identify opportunities to showcase the cultural and geographical significance of the project’s location in Victoria’s Inner Harbour and welcome visitors into Lekwungen territory.

The project will incorporate the highest energy-efficiency and resiliency standards for a changing climate. The new all-electric terminal building will include mass-timber components and renewable materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate site contamination, meeting LEED Gold standards and supporting government’s CleanBC emissions-reduction commitments.

Quotes:

Chief Ron Sam, Songhees Nation –

“Songhees Nation’s partnership in the Belleville Terminal redevelopment project opens a door of immense opportunities and growth for our community. This partnership is not just about physical space, but about fostering cultural exchange, economic empowerment and community development. It is an affirmation of our shared commitment to build bridges, honour our heritage and create a better future for our people, and together, we will harness the power of collaboration and create a vibrant space that celebrates our traditions, uplifts our voices and nurtures the well-being of our Nation.”

Chief Rob Thomas, Esquimalt Nation –

“We are pleased to be partnering with British Columbia and Canada in this exciting project. The Belleville Terminal is located on one of the village sites of the Lekwungen people. Our inclusion in the design, construction and operation of the new terminal is evidence of the critical role our Nation plays and will play in the future development of the Victoria area. It is a long-overdue acknowledgment of our existence and our rights, and we look forward to jointly building a better future for all residents within our traditional lands”.

Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

“Visitors from around the world come to B.C. to enjoy our world-class tourism offerings and many of them arrive in Victoria by ferry via the Belleville Terminal. The redevelopment of the terminal is just one way our government is working with our tourism partners to enhance visitors’ experiences, create more opportunities for people working in this sector and include new ways for Indigenous communities to share and showcase their culture and artistry in B.C.’s tourism sector.”

Marianne Alto, mayor of Victoria –

“This is a transformational project that delivers on council’s priority for our city’s economic health and community vitality. Our immense thanks to both the provincial and federal governments for their investment in critical infrastructure supporting diverse tourism and service jobs across the region.”

Denny Heck, Lieutenant Governor of Washington –

“Washington state is excited this important project to modernize the Belleville Terminal is moving forward. I appreciate the governments of British Columbia, Canada and all their partners for leaning in to make this happen. This project ensures that the peoples and economies of British Columbia and Washington state will continue to be deeply integrated with one another, which makes all our lives richer.”

Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria –

“We are delighted by the announcement of this critical infrastructure project that will future-proof and propel forward the visitor economy in Greater Victoria. We are grateful to the Province, the Government of Canada, the partner ferry operators and the many industry leaders who worked on this file for the past three decades. I would like to particularly thank Minister Fleming for his determination to bring this file to a successful conclusion.”

Quick Facts:

The first phase of the project, anticipated to be complete in 2024, will build a temporary terminal in the Steamship Building and a new wharf to accommodate FRS Clipper and US Customs and Border Protection.
The Canada Border Services Agency and Black Ball ferry operations will continue to use the existing spaces, ramps and vehicle areas.
The second phase will demolish the existing FRS Clipper terminal infrastructure, replacing it with a LEED Gold pre-clearance terminal.
The second phase, which will begin following completion of the first phase, also includes a new commercial goods processing facility.
Belleville Terminal generates 220,000 overnight visitors and enables the ferry operators to sell more than 16,000 vacation packages annually, all of which are provided by local businesses in Victoria.
The current Belleville Terminal supports 2,200 regional jobs.

[Nparker]

...The upgrade will bring Belleville Terminal into compliance with the Canada-U.S. Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance Agreement. Using pre-clearance, travellers will complete the U.S. customs and immigration process in Victoria and enjoy the convenience of disembarking in the United States with no further delays...

Unless something has changed, this has been the practice when taking the Victoria Clipper to Seattle for years now, even if it does happen in a sad Atco trailer.

[vortoozo]

Unless something has changed, this has been the practice when taking the Victoria Clipper to Seattle for years now, even if it does happen in a sad Atco trailer.

 

Immigration is currently in Canada, customs in the US.

[Victoria Watcher]

Ryan Burles, chief executive of Black Ball Ferry, said the companies have been concerned about what costs they will have to bear and who will pay the property taxes on a $300-million facility.

“I think [the funding announcement] is a really good step. For Black Ball, we still have some work to be done, but things are moving forward,” he said. “We still have a few hurdles, but we feel confident we’ll be able to get an agreement on those hurdles. But again, we are going to make sure our business model stays secure.”

When asked about the hurdles Friday, Fleming said there are ongoing discussions with both the private operators that use the facility and the City of Victoria.

“These are discussions that we’re having with the city of Victoria around local taxes. We’ve had very productive discussions about how they can be one of the contributing partners [to Belleville] and what their contributions can look like,” Fleming said. “In terms of working with Clipper and Coho, we absolutely value the service that they provide. They bring in 680,000 visitors a year.

https://www.timescol...mitment-7220381

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 July 2023 - 04:22 AM.

[Mike K.]

So fares are going up. That will impact the annual 680,000 passenger count, depending on how high the costs rise.

[Victoria Watcher]

Well, it also appears Victoria taxpayers will be asked to contribute too.

[Victoria Watcher]

So this terminal will cost 10x what our arena cost. Seems crazy.

[amor de cosmos]

i've seen some renderings on the province's website but i wonder if there are more. i also wonder what exactly people will see as they arrive? the chek report says it will be clear that you're on songhees territory but i didn't really hear any details. i suppose it will be like the musqueam welcome area at yvr?

[Mike K.]

Oh, cool! Yeah that’s the right move.

The YVR figures make quite the impression.

[LJ]

^Is that the statue in the arrivals area?

[amor de cosmos]

iirc intl arrivals yes. i've only been through there once but i'm pretty sure that's where it is.

[Victoria Watcher]

Union workers with the Clipper ferry line, which travels between Victoria and Seattle, say they’re prepared to go on strike during the Labour Day long weekend if a deal can’t be reached with employers by then.

On Wednesday, Unifor Local 114 announced its members voted 100 per cent in favour of taking potential strike action on Sunday, Sept. 3.

“Unless the employer shows up to the bargaining table with a fair offer, the Victoria Clipper will be anchored on one of the busiest tourism weekends of the year,” said Lana Payne, Unifor national president, in a statement.

Negotiations between the union and the Clipper have been ongoing since May, after the union’s previous contract expired on Oct. 31, 2022.

https://www.cheknews...eekend-1165620/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 August 2023 - 11:09 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Cap Daily:

 

 

The Clipper ferry plans to replace 25 Victoria-based workers if they strike over the Labour Day weekend, Capital Daily has learned.

“We have non-union team members that will be stepping up to the plate to ensure that guests could check in, sail, and travel between Seattle and Victoria,” company COO Gordon Dirker told Capital Daily yesterday.

The Clipper employees—most of whom work in customer service, baggage handling, ticketing, and docking—have been without a contract since last Halloween, and negotiations haven’t been moving at a brisk, Clipper-like pace.

“It’s been very slow,” said Ben Williams, spokesman for Unifor 114.

Negotiations began last May and have revolved around wages, scheduling, and job security, Williams said.

On Wednesday, the union announced that 100% of its members voted in favour of launching a strike on Sunday, Sept. 3, if an agreement isn’t reached.

“If there is a strike on the third and fourth, the plan is that we provide an alternate route, which we would normally do if the ship had technical issues,” Dirker said.

Passengers would be shuttled via motorcoach to Port Angeles from Seattle, and an alternative ferry company would bring them to Victoria, he said.

But all bets—seemingly all gloves, too—would be off on Sept. 5, Dirker said, when regular service would resume with replacement workers filling in for the Victoria staff.

Williams said the union was not aware Clipper was considering replacement workers.

“There has been zero communication from them, to be perfectly honest with you,” he told Capital Daily, adding he doesn’t know where the company would find and train 25 workers in such a short time.

“They are not allowed to bring them in from another country,” he said.

Full refunds are available on standard-fare reservations with two days’ notice. Customers who would like to cancel their reservations can do so by calling 1-800-888-2535 or by emailing reservations@clippervacations.com.

[Mike K.]

RFQ issued:

The travelling experience of ferry passengers between Victoria and Washington state will be improved by the Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project, which will deliver a new, secure, state-of-the-art, pre-clearance terminal for passengers and goods.

A request for qualifications (RFQ) has been issued for the design and construction of this new terminal. It is an international gateway for goods, services and passengers, and drives regional and provincial economic growth. Travellers spend approximately $174 million annually, generating $268 million in economic output and $155 million in provincial gross domestic product (GDP).

“We have moved quickly from project approval to procurement to signal that this tourism and trade corridor is critical for the region,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “An improved modern terminal will be an economic generator on both sides of the border and will make travel more convenient for the hundreds of thousands of passengers travelling through it every year.”

Following the RFQ, a shortlist of qualified teams will be invited to participate in a request for proposal (RFP).

The upgrade will bring Belleville Terminal into compliance with the Canada-U.S. Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance Agreement. Pre-clearance will streamline travel by allowing passengers to complete the U.S. customs and immigration process in Victoria, prior to disembarking in the United States.

With an approved budget of $303.9 million, the project is expected to be completed in time for the 2028 tourism season. The federal government has confirmed $41.6 million for the project. The Province is in discussions with ferry operators Black Ball Ferry Line and FRS Clipper to determine their respective involvement in the project.

Belleville Terminal is on the territory of the Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation. The Province is working collaboratively with the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation to identify opportunities to showcase the cultural and geographical significance of the project’s location in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, and welcome visitors into Lekwungen territory.

[Victoria Watcher]

In November, Paula Hammond, Washington state's transportation secretary, ordered four 80-year-old ferries removed from service after corrosion was found in two boats' steel hulls. A month earlier, 160 cracks had been found in the four boats' hulls, but only one posed a structural concern, says Paul Brodeur of Washington State Ferries, the state agency that owns 28 ferries and operates the nation's largest system.

 

The Coast Guard, which oversees the safety of most U.S. ferries, says the corrosion was "a major concern," but not severe enough to cause the ferries to sink. Extensive corrosion could cause a boat to capsize or sink by allowing water to leak in through a hole in the hull.

 

Hammond decided not to repair the boats and ordered them permanently removed from service because "safety is our number one priority." A special inspection of 14 other old ferries found nine that needed steel replaced or repaired.

 

Hammond says that "keeping boats for 80 years is not going to happen again." Washington legislators aim to develop a vessel-replacement strategy that replaces boats at 60 years, she says.

 

By that standard, more than one quarter of the USA's ferry fleet would face retirement in the next 20 years, a development that could cost governments and private operators an estimated $1 billion or more for replacement.

 

A USA TODAY analysis of Department of Transportation data shows that, in 2006, 23% of 625 ferries for which age information is available were 40 years or older; 5% were 60 years or older. The oldest is the Adirondack, built in 1913. It sails Lake Champlain between Burlington, Vt., and Port Kent, N.Y.

 

https://abcnews.go.c...=4363576&page=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wonder if anyone has considered what will happen when this ship no longer works?   Whether by catastrophe or by simple wear.  It would be nice if a back-up plan was in place, since we are spending $305 million on a terminal that for the most part, is primarily for the Coho.  If Black Ball is not in a financial position to purchase a replacement ship, does our government have a plan that can be implemented within a year or so?

 

The Coho (110 vehicles, 1000+ passengers) can't last forever.

 

The Salish Class BCF vessels (600 passengers, 138 vehicles) were build for about $55M each in 2015 or so.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 October 2023 - 02:44 AM.

[Mike K.]

The Coho departed yesterday for her annual month of maintenance. She will be out of service through February 7th.