6356 replies to this topic

[FogPub]

I think it has happened before but just for a day or two, not a whole month.

[Victoria Watcher]

B.C. Ferries optimistic that summer sailing season will go smoothly

 

While B.C. Ferries refines its vessel repairs and sailing schedules, the ongoing issue of crew shortages remains.

 

https://www.timescol...moothly-8193063

 

 

 

 

 

But while B.C. Ferries refines its vessel repairs and sailing schedules, the ongoing issue of crew shortages remains. Transport Canada requires a certain number of crew members with specific skills on each vessel before it is allowed to sail.

 

The past few years have seen ferries remain at the dock many times due to a lack of crew. The company is trying to rectify the problem at the same time the union representing workers seeks higher pay to match other employers in the sector, who have been hiring some of the company’s employees. An arbitration hearing is set for early this month.

 

All three Coastal-class ­ferries are slated to be in service between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland ­following significant mechanical work.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 February 2024 - 04:34 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

B.C. Ferries optimistic that summer sailing season will go smoothly

 

The Coastal Inspiration is taking the longer route around the east side of Saturna Island to reduce wear and tear on its engine

 

 

 

 

Anyone travelling on the Coastal Inspiration between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen should budget an extra 15 minutes for the trip.

 

The trip, which typically takes an hour and 35 minutes, will now take an hour and 50 minutes because of a longer route resulting from the need to take extra care with the vessel’s drive motor.

 

The ferry’s new schedule started Thursday and runs until March 3.

 

 

https://www.timescol...-longer-8198669

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 02 February 2024 - 12:00 AM.

[Mike K.]

It looks like another tough weekend is in-store for BC Ferries travel between Victoria and Vancouver:

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Limited vehicle space available on this route from February 23–25

Customers without a booking will face multiple sailing waits and, in some cases, may not be able to travel on their chosen day or time. Consider travelling as a foot passenger, on alternate routes or during less busy times of the day. Parking availability at this terminal may be limited.

[Victoria Watcher]

Alternate routes.   Like go to Maine Island instead of Vancouver.  

[Mike K.]

Port Hardy to Rupert, obviously. Don’t make mountains out of mole hills.

[vortoozo]

Alternate routes.   Like go to Maine Island instead of Vancouver.  

 

Nothing incorrect about that statement, there are alternate routes via Duke Point or Departure Bay.

If you're heading to Whistler/Sunshine Coast/North Van it can be about as quick to go that way.

If you live in Duncan and are headed to Vancouver, going via Nanaimo would be a better choice this weekend.

[Victoria Watcher]

After five months and missing several self-imposed deadlines, B.C. Ferries has still not resumed public consultation meetings on ferry services.

B.C. Ferries called off the regular meetings for ferry users in September, after one participant threatened ferry officials at a meeting of the Southern Sunshine Coast ferry advisory committee in Gibsons.

While the corporation said its public consultation sessions would be moved online, the chair of the Southern Sunshine Coast committee, Diana Mumford, said ever since, her committee has been “continually ignored” by the ferry company.



https://www.timescol...eetings-8354846

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 February 2024 - 09:09 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Another ferry broken today. Bad timing.

[Victoria Watcher]

A key service connecting Greater Victoria with the Lower Mainland has a boat awaiting repairs.

Due to a mechanical difficulty with the rudder on the Queen of New Westminster, BC Ferries cancelled a series of sailings starting Thursday (Feb. 22).

https://www.vicnews....ncouver-7321332

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 February 2024 - 01:35 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

First 4 ferries bound for Victoria full up as vessel awaits repairs

First Monday sailing with space out of Tsawwassen and bound for Vancouver Island is at 3 p.m.

https://www.vicnews....repairs-7322132

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 February 2024 - 06:59 AM.

[Mike K.]

From BCF:

Conceptual renderings of BC Ferries’ New Major Vessels program are the first look at what up to seven new ferries could look like when they enter operation starting in 2029.

BC Ferries is building these new major vessels to provide more capacity across the ferry system and continue to improve how we get our customers where they need to be. The vessels will replace up to six existing major vessels that are nearing their end-of-life and will serve the busiest routes between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver.

“The New Major Vessels program is the largest part of our capital plan to modernize and transform the ferry experience in British Columbia,” said Nicolas Jimenez, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “These vessels – greener, more efficient and standardized – represent the future of ferry travel in our province. They will significantly increase daily capacity, provide an enhanced customer experience, improve reliability and reduce environmental impacts.”

The new major vessels will carry up to 360 standard sized vehicles and 2,100 people, compared to a capacity of 250-310 vehicles and 1,200-1,500 people on retiring vessels, which will help meet growing customer demand particularly as more people move to B.C. in the coming years. The vessels will be standardized with others in the fleet to allow us to be more flexible in moving them between routes when maintenance or refits are required, without disrupting customer travel.

The basic design for these vessels is being developed in collaboration with a leading naval architect firm, LMG Marin AS, in order to maximize efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The design calls for engines capable of using bio- and renewable fuels, and includes a battery-hybrid propulsion system that will allow for conversion to full battery-electric operation once shore-based recharging infrastructure becomes available.

Today, BC Ferries issued a Request for Supplier Qualification (RFSQ) for its New Major Vessels program. The RFSQ is available through the international shipbroker Clarksons, as well as on bcbid.gov.bc.ca. It will close on March 22, 2024. Qualified shipyards will then have the opportunity to take part in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, currently expected to occur in the summer of 2024.

BC Ferries follows a formal and transparent procurement process to obtain the best possible value for ferry users. The bidding process to build the new ships is open to qualified local, national and international companies.

[lanforod]

Well at least they aren’t insisting on local. Flashbacks to fast cats!

[Victoria Watcher]

Anybody know why they have that overhead bar over the upper deck at each end?

[Victoria Watcher]

Higher capacity in the new major ferries will help serve the province’s growing population, the statement said.

 

New major vessels will carry up to 360 standard-sized vehicles and 2,100 people each. The retiring vessels can carry 250 to 310 vehicles and 1,200 to 1,500 people.

 

For several years, B.C. Ferries has been moving toward standard designs for specific classes of ferries, such as its smaller Island and Salish-class vessels, saying that allows the company to move vessels between routes for maintenance or refits without disrupting ­customer travel.

 

Vessels scheduled to retire between 2029 and 2032 include Queen of Coquitlam, Queen of Alberni, Queen of Cowichan, Queen of New Westminster, Queen of Surrey and Queen of Oak Bay.

 

 

https://www.timescol...er-tech-8360153

 

 

 

 

When we built the big Spirit ships, we decided then we didn't need them to be double-ended.  Or want them to be.  But now the Coastal ships and the new smaller ones are all double-ended.  What changed?

 

Anybody know why they have that overhead bar over the upper deck at each end?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 February 2024 - 02:54 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Anybody know why they have that overhead bar over the upper deck at each end?

[vortoozo]

Maybe you should ask a fourth time in a row.

[lanforod]

Overhead Bars is trying to displace Mike K's Blizzards at Tinto Rocks this year. I saw the Blizzards today and yesterday too, pretty cool group of flakes.

[Mike K.]

Snowflakes.

[Lashlarue]

Anybody know why they have that overhead bar over the upper deck at each end?

I asked a marine engineer, he figured it partially houses the hydraulics for the ramp, plus overhead stuff like firefighting equipment directed towards cars