Author Topic: Shipspotting in Vancouver  (Read 12599 times)

Offline Max89

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Shipspotting in Vancouver
« on: July 13, 2015, 06:20:27 AM »
These words are addressed to shipspotters in and around Vancouver.
I will visit your city in august for a few days and of course, to see some vessels is a firm intention by me.

So if anybody of you is intetested in giving me some information about places to be or anything else I should do and see during my time there I would love to come in contact with you. Maybe we can meet to have a few hours together ...

Cheers!

Offline lappino

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2015, 10:46:56 AM »


Hi,

A - beaches to see all the ships at the anchorage (in the morning time)
B - Stanley Park sea wall and the entire road along the sea, for everything going in and out of the port
C - seabus ride between Vancouver downtown and North Vancouver and, obviously piers on both sides
D - a park to see all the bulkers etc. docked along the north shore of the bay
X - harbour cruise on the paddle wheeler "Constitution"
...
I think that the locals might also add some info here.

Rgds

Vlad

Offline Kyle Stubbs

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2015, 03:28:14 PM »
I have a couple of other suggestions that are among my favorite spots to visit along with many of those on Vlad's great list.

First off would be Spanish Banks Beach Park, which is adjacent to the west of Jericho Beach Park visible at the left edge of Vlad's map. It gets you a bit closer and often at a better angle to the ships anchored in English Bay, and you also don't have to worry as much about the position of the sun.

Near Vlad's Point D, which is known as New Brighton Park, I would also recommend taking a walk or drive along Wall Street, as there are many pocket parks that also provide a view of ships moored and at anchor on the Burrard Inlet. Nearby, if you're up to a long walk, traversing the Steel Worker's Memorial Bridge can provide some interesting view, however suicide fences were recently installed, so it requires jockeying your camera through the fence posts to get any decent photos. Finding the parking to access the bridge also takes a bit of hunting.

For fishing boats, False Creek Fishermen's Harbour adjacent to 1st Avenue & Creekside Drive usually has a small contingent in a photogenic setting. Further out of town to the southwest, the town of Steveston, BC offers a larger fishing fleet, along with Garry Point Park, offering views of the cargo and tug traffic transiting the mouth of the Fraser River.

There are many other pockets that can net you one or two interesting vessels, but those are mostly difficult to find and out of the way. What had been mentioned so far is really the bulk of the valuable locations in and around Vancouver.

Kind Regards,
Kyle
"Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often." -Mark Twain

Offline Max89

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2015, 02:24:17 PM »
Thank you Vlad and Kyle, I really appreciate your notes!! :-)

Offline lappino

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2015, 03:28:32 PM »
Kyle's post gave me an idea to try to illustrate the places we mentioned with photos of ships taken there, so here goes.

Taken from the beach marked as "A":

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2284644

Taken from Stanley Park Drive, location "B":

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2241608

Taken from Seabus ride, location "C":

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2241968

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2284643

Taken from New Brighton Park, location "D":

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2284645

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2284649

Taken from a bit farther east, after the bridge:

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2284646

Taken from harbour cruise "X":

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2241976

Taken from a point a bit to the east of Jericho Beach Park, mentioned by Kyle:

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2284650

Again, an excellent suggestion from Kyle, Steveston fishing harbour:

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2284647

North Vancouver:

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2238491

Finally, a bit to the northwest, and outside the map, but still a good point: Horseshoe bay.

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2241980
« Last Edit: July 14, 2015, 03:44:01 PM by lappino »

Offline andrecas

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2015, 09:06:09 PM »
Prospect Point Observation deck in Stanley Park offers an interesting vantage point.
Another location if one willing to venture a bit outside the city is New Westminster* on the Fraser River. It can be busy with several bulkers tied up at any given time, with vehicle carriers on opposite side as well as usual tugs/barges shuttling up/down river.

*New Westminster about a 25 minute sky-train ride from waterfront station.

Offline PietB

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2015, 09:11:05 AM »
The sort of map that Vlad has posted of the best viewpoints to watch ships from, with comments on types to be seen etc, is an excellent idea. I wish more members would do this. It really is of great use. Well done Vlad!
Piet B

Offline lappino

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2015, 10:07:16 AM »
Thanks, Piet! Also, I like Luko's idea of creating Google Maps placemarks, like he did for Dubrovnik, even as it's easier to compile a map like I did... :)

Rgds

Vlad

Offline Max89

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2015, 08:33:34 PM »
Thank you very much guys for your help!

Are there any sailing lists online in which I can find arrival and departure times of the terminals?

Thanks in advance :-)

Offline SSIPaul

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2015, 05:38:15 PM »
you may want to check out the PPA site-Pacific Pilotage Authority.look under vessel traffic.it gives ship arrival/deptures.
Paul
Tugboats are really just trucks that float

Offline DEREK SANDS

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Re: Shipspotting in Vancouver
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2015, 10:52:58 AM »
Thanks for all the information placed in this thread. :)

 

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