Metro Vancouver & Interregional Passenger Ferry Service Discussion

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by martinishaker

Past ferry routes failed for specific boat reasons and in much different times.

Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me four times.... ???

The route has a way of eating ferry companies. Maybe these guys will be different, and more power to them if they are, but being skeptical is a perfectly rational reaction for anyone who's aware of the history of these endeavours. Let's hope they've learned from everyone else's mistakes.

[WarrenC12]

I believe we have a Costco hot dog bet out there. I'm willing to bet they aren't in service on Jan 1 2025.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I believe we have a Costco hot dog bet out there. I'm willing to bet they aren't in service on Jan 1 2025.

Does the hot dog come with the 20 ounce refillable pop?

16 months? I'll take that bet.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I believe we have a Costco hot dog bet out there. I'm willing to bet they aren't in service on Jan 1 2025.

HarbourLynx lasted 3 years. If they had 2 ships, they may very well still be operating today. Hullo will likely succeed long term.

I'll up the bet to a hot dog with fries and gravy.

[jollyburger]

What's their magical break even on passenger counts. They'll bleed money in the winter and hope they make back enough over the summer months. There's zero basis to says Hullo will succeed long-term unless you had a subsidy package from the government to operate it.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by djmk

Does the hot dog come with the 20 ounce refillable pop?

16 months? I'll take that bet.

Yes but I get to pick the drink.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

What's their magical break even on passenger counts. They'll bleed money in the winter and hope they make back enough over the summer months. There's zero basis to says Hullo will succeed long-term unless you had a subsidy package from the government to operate it.

Yes I think it depends how deep their pockets are, and how they financed the boats themselves.

It's clear they are running a bare bones operation, so they can at least do the math.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Yes I think it depends how deep their pockets are, and how they financed the boats themselves.

It's clear they are running a bare bones operation, so they can at least do the math.

Just noticed this:

17 Nov 2022 InfraRed Capital Partners and Conqora Capital Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Vancouver Island Ferry

I guess that means the lawsuit is dead?

And you have to wonder the economics of having a second ship just sitting there as a backup since they essentially can have a single vessel do 3-4 runs everyday. Sure it's wonderful if a ship breaks down but it just makes the economics of their limited schedule even more challenging.

EDIT: I guess the backup ferry was helpful since both ships have been taking turns getting serviced

Both boats have been in service for about one week now. They have been tag tagging half the service day each on many days, including today.

https://ferriesbc.proboards.com/thread/9676/hullo-photos-discussion?page=7

[jollyburger]

Weird the Sthuqi seems like it just stopped mid-way through the return trip tonight and now is doing around 9kts. I think the other ship did something similar a day or two ago.

https://www.myshiptracking.com/?mmsi=316052438

[madog222]

Likely reaction to a machinery alarm than resuming servicr speed once checked.

[jollyburger]

The Celebrity Millennium is moored in English Bay tonight for some reason. Went out to Gibsons and just turned back.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

The Celebrity Millennium is moored in English Bay tonight for some reason. Went out to Gibsons and just turned back.

Someone on Reddit said that there was some kind of search and rescue boat along side it (Coast Guard maybe?). Apparently returning to English Bay like that is the sign of an on-board medical emergency that requires getting someone to the hospital pronto.

[jollyburger]

Timelapse of one of the sailings from yesterday with one of the more complete video of the boat berthing. I still don't understand why they have that single green bumper at the bow of the ship. Sure it's fine now but when the weather — isn't that place where you want more protection for any accidental collision? With no waiting area they manually scan each person in for people who've been in line for 30 minutes. Weird.

https://twitter.com/MarksGonePublic/status/1697793383681695909

Even if there are issues with the float planes I still don't understand why they don't come in parallel to the dock and just go in sideways. This Korean ferry also has a better floating fender setup with a mix of smaller and larger ones.

• Video Link

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Timelapse of one of the sailings from yesterday with one of the more complete video of the boat berthing.

Didn't look at the Twitter link, but the YouTube video isn't timelapse. The crew looks pretty efficient at getting the ship —, but when I watch this video it just reminds me of how well designed the Seabus is. Being able to custom design and build your vessels and berthing facilities is a huge advantage.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Didn't look at the Twitter link, but the YouTube video isn't timelapse. The crew looks pretty efficient at getting the ship —, but when I watch this video it just reminds me of how well designed the Seabus is. Being able to custom design and build your vessels and berthing facilities is a huge advantage.

Go watch the Twitter video they try to dock at 90 degrees to the dock and at the last minute swing parallel to dock. It takes more time and they seem to place the bow dangerously close to the dock where there's zero protection from any impact.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Go watch the Twitter video they try to dock at 90 degrees to the dock and at the last minute swing parallel to dock. It takes more time and they seem to place the bow dangerously close to the dock where there's zero protection from any impact.

It may be that they had to come in from a different angle due to conflicting traffic and the figured that approach would be just as fast as looping back over to come in parallel to the dock...?

[madog222]

It's about getting perfect alignment to the gangway, they tension off the bow line to get the same position on the dock every time.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by madog222

It's about getting perfect alignment to the gangway, they tension off the bow line to get the same position on the dock every time.

If that was true then why do they have to reverse the boat in the video above (Hullo ferry) because the gangway isn't aligned?

[madog222]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

If that was true then why do they have to reverse the boat in the video above (Hullo ferry) because the gangway isn't aligned?

They move astern to give slack for the stern and spring lines, they then move forward again into position with the bow line taught.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by madog222

They move astern to give slack for the stern and spring lines, they then move forward again into position with the bow line taught.

This YouTube review of the service has some better (but not perfect) footage of the docking.

• Video Link

I wonder how dark it's going to be down there. I know there's a few lights on the dock and that staircase/elevator but there seems to be minimal exterior lighting compared to the seawall level.