6319 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Crew shortage keeps Brentwood Bay-Mill Bay ferry in dock on Friday

 

A total of 18 sailings on B.C. Ferries' MV Klitsa were cancelled between 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28

https://www.timescol...-friday-6023654

[Victoria Watcher]

The Salish Heron has a weight problem. It’s so severe that B.C. Ferries is considering swapping it out for another ferry that would be better able to carry vehicles. 

 

Early Thursday afternoon, passengers at Swartz Bay heading for Pender Island were shocked to see the ferry sailing away without them after loading commercial trucks, especially since they could see empty deck space. 

 

Tara Hodgins of Pender Island said she endured a four-hour wait at the terminal for the next sailing, which wasn’t until 6:40 p.m. 

 

“So we sat in our car in the pouring rain all afternoon. And they really did not offer anyone a proper explanation.” 

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...-behind-6060005

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 November 2022 - 05:05 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Jack Knox: As monarch vanishes from ferries, take a deep breath

B.C. Ferries has decided to not only remove the Queen’s portrait from its vessels, but to rid itself of the royal presence altogether: It will not replace the pictures with ones of King Charles

 

https://www.timescol...-breath-6063265

[todd]

Jack Knox: As monarch vanishes from ferries, take a deep breath
B.C. Ferries has decided to not only remove the Queen’s portrait from its vessels, but to rid itself of the royal presence altogether: It will not replace the pictures with ones of King Charles
 
https://www.timescol...-breath-6063265

I assume they will be keeping this practice however?:

“..when British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor sails on a BC Ferries vessel - common enough, given the geographic constraints on commuting between the province's capital and largest city (Victoria and Vancouver respectively, of course), the Lieutenant Governor's ensign is flown in place of the BC Ferries house flag. This practice also conforms, I suppose, with that of flying the Lieutenant Governor's flag on his limousine, which I have also seen...”:

https://www.crwflags...lags/ca-bc.html

[Victoria Watcher]

After Pender Island-bound vehicles were left behind in Swartz Bay on a Thursday afternoon sailing last week because the Salish Heron had reached its weight limit, B.C. Ferries has announced it is seeking permission to carry an extra 150 tonnes on the ferry, its newest vessel.

 

The request to Lloyd’s Register would allow the ferry to carry the additional weight in sheltered waters, such as the vessel’s new route between Swartz Bay and the Southern Gulf Islands. Lloyd’s classifies and certifies vessels and can approve special requirements for ships.

 

The request is expected to take a few weeks to consider, B.C. Ferries spokesperson Astrid Chang said Wednesday.

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...problem-6083998

[Victoria Watcher]

Customers travelling on BC Ferries between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen will now be able to order alcohol with their meals, with plans to expand to other sailings in the coming months.

The company had previously launched a trial to serve alcohol to diners in the Pacific Buffet. The buffet on board sailings has been closed during the pandemic, but now the ferries will be serving alcohol in the Coastal Cafe.

“We’ve heard from many passengers that they would like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with their meal while on board,” BC Ferries says in an FAQ on its website. “Following the successful introduction of beer and wine in the Pacific Buffet, we are adding alcoholic beverages to the menu in select Coastal Cafes as a way to improve the customer experience.”


_______




Additionally, BC Ferries tells CHEK News it is reviewing options for reopening the Pacific Buffet and SeaWest lounge, but they remain closed at this time.


https://www.cheknews...ng-1114759/?amp

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 November 2022 - 10:39 AM.

[Nparker]

Until they re-open the Pacific Buffet who cares?

[lanforod]

Facebook comments are pretty clueless about how this works. Comments are either about drinking and driving or are about how much they presume the drinks cost.

 

1: There's a 2 drink max - Ferries staff use a black light visible stamp on your hand for each drink you get.

2: The drinks cost similar to many public places, 6.99 - 7.99 for a beer or cider, or 14 for a large wine pour (9oz i think). That's not crazy pricing.

[vortoozo]

Facebook comments are pretty clueless about how this works. Comments are either about drinking and driving or are about how much they presume the drinks cost.

 

1: There's a 2 drink max - Ferries staff use a black light visible stamp on your hand for each drink you get.

2: The drinks cost similar to many public places, 6.99 - 7.99 for a beer or cider, or 14 for a large wine pour (9oz i think). That's not crazy pricing.

 

People on the internet like to complain for the sake of complaining.

 

^ That should be VV's slogan, maybe.

[Victoria Watcher]

Facebook comments are pretty clueless about how this works. Comments are either about drinking and driving or are about how much they presume the drinks cost.

1: There's a 2 drink max - Ferries staff use a black light visible stamp on your hand for each drink you get.
2: The drinks cost similar to many public places, 6.99 - 7.99 for a beer or cider, or 14 for a large wine pour (9oz i think). That's not crazy pricing.

Maybe your average BCF rider rarely goes to a pub for beers.

[Victoria Watcher]

Sixteen female employees working in the engineering department for B.C. Ferries have filed a B.C. Human Rights Tribunal complaint alleging a “climate of harassment and bullying of women” in the workplace.

 

The complaint says women are singled out as different in the engine room, excluded in correspondence addressed to “gents,” and lack changing space, despite being required to change at work.

 

 

https://www.timescol...mplaint-6126615

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 November 2022 - 09:01 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Mayne Queen does farewell tour of Gulf Islands before regular service ends

 

Saturday is the final day of regular full-time service for the Mayne Queen, and the vessel is making special farewell stops at its Gulf Islands ports of call on Sunday, without passengers.

 

 

 

 

 

The Mayne Queen has played many roles over its 57 years of service.

 

It has been a school bus, a quiet place to do taxes or pay bills and a kind of living room for Gulf Islanders to meet friends old and new, as it faithfully carried them to and from Vancouver Island for everything from grocery shopping to medical appointments.

 

Island residents and local businesses created bonds with crew members who forged their careers on the ferry.

 

To Priscilla Ewbank, who arrived on Saturna Island in 1970 on the Mayne Queen, the ferry is “elegant” and “beautiful,” with a “very human touch.”

 

 

https://www.timescol...ce-ends-6127702

 

 

 

 

 

FAREWELL TOUR SCHEDULE

During the Mayne Queen’s Sunday farewell tour, community members are invited to walk on board the vessel for a short visit, although it won’t be carrying any passengers or vehicles from port to port.

 

Stops are planned at:

 

• Otter Bay (Pender Island) 1:50 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.

• Lyall Harbour (Saturna Island) 2:55 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.

• Village Bay (Mayne Island) 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island) 4:55 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

I really liked that ferry.  And yes it always seemed particularly quick, once it moved a few feet from shore, away she went, up to high speed.    

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 November 2022 - 05:03 AM.

[Matt R.]

The recently retired Mayne Queen arrived in Fulford this morning, docked alongside the Skeena. Used to seeing the Bowen there.

[Victoria Watcher]

Hornby Island residents are clear about what is needed to avoid a repeat of the hours-long, multi-sailing waits seen last summer: a new ferry on the route — tomorrow, if possible.

 

“We have been asking for a larger-capacity ferry for years because of our huge lineups,” said Kent Lukinuk, vice-president of the Hornby Island Residents and Ratepayers Association. “We have the worst performance metrics of all the small islands in B.C. Ferries’ system.”

 

It is time to take the 179-foot long Kahloke ferry, which can carry 21 cars and 200 passengers and crew, off the run between Denman and Hornby islands, he said.

 

 

https://www.timescol...g-waits-6137172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hornby Island of British Columbia, Canada, is one of the two northernmost Gulf Islands, located near Vancouver Island's Comox Valley, the other being Denman Island.

 

A small community of 1,016 residents (as of the 2016 census), Hornby is home to many artists, retired professionals, small business owners, remote workers, and young families who share a love of rural island life.

 

https://en.wikipedia...i/Hornby_Island

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 November 2022 - 03:25 AM.

[Nparker]

Are those artists, retired professionals, small business owners, remote workers, and young families willing to pony up for a larger ferry themselves to retain their love of rural island life?

[Matt R.]

It’s a lovely spot!

[Nparker]

It is, but I don't need to subsidize those who choose to live there.

[Matt R.]

Yes you do, that’s the beauty of it.

[Nparker]

But I shouldn't have to.

[vortoozo]

But I shouldn't have to.

 

I shouldn't have to subsidize the road in front of your house, but I do.