Messages

1

Shipping News and information / Re: Where will MV Caribou and MV Smallwood end up??

« on: March 28, 2011, 10:14:26 PM »

I did. Its pretty bad when some people have nothing better to do but complain about a topic that is of interest to us in this part of the world.

If there were topic that was no interest to me in another part of the world,  I wouldn't read it, but anyway.

I'm done with the forums.

I totally agree with you 100% Dean!!  That's why I wasn't around for a while.  I'm sorry to hear your'e not participating in the forums anymore

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Shipping News and information / Re: Where will MV Caribou and MV Smallwood end up??

« on: March 09, 2011, 11:26:13 PM »

Nice pics Jarrod!!  She sure looks well secured there.

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Shipping News and information / Re: HSC Incat 059 (The CAT)

« on: February 27, 2011, 11:31:14 PM »

Thanks for the info!!  I didn't know she only travels at 15 knots instead of her usual service speed of 42 knots.  It must be for reduced fuel consumption.

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Shipping News and information / Re: HSC Incat 059 (The CAT)

« on: February 23, 2011, 11:03:33 PM »

Thanks for the update!! It's greatly appreciated. Keep me posted on her progress.

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Shipping News and information / Re: Where will MV Caribou and MV Smallwood end up??

« on: February 17, 2011, 11:49:11 PM »

Am I late on some news or what?? I kind of expected the Caribou going to Sydport, where the Vacationland, John Hamilton Gray and Abegweit were laid up back in the day.  I only hope both ships find a new home somewhere and don't meet the same fate as the PEI ferries I just mentioned!!

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Shipping News and information / Re: Where will MV Caribou and MV Smallwood end up??

« on: February 17, 2011, 11:43:17 PM »

I just checked Marine Atlantic's schedule and the Smallwood is still sailing all of next week .  The last run will be on February 28 departing Port aux Basques at 11:30 and will arrive around 5:30 p.m. in North Sydney (almost eerily similar to the Caribou's last run)MV Blue Puttees will make her debut at 10:30 P.M on Feb 28.  http://www.marine-atlantic.ca/en/schedule/pabnsy1.asp?cboRoute=PBNS&cboDay=28&cboMonth=Feb&cboYear=11&button=Show

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Shipping News and information / HSC Incat 059 (The CAT)

« on: February 17, 2011, 11:19:01 PM »

I know she's been sold to a Chinese group, however, does anyone know the whereabouts of The CAT Ferry (Incat 059)?? Any info on where she is now or recent photos are greatly appreciated!!

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Shipping News and information / Re: MARINE ATLANTIC

« on: December 26, 2010, 11:29:55 PM »

I'm no "Vision lover"!! get over it I'm done, time to walk away like a "panzy" and go to a better place with no constant Marine Atlantic bashing , cheers

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Shipping News and information / Re: MARINE ATLANTIC

« on: December 26, 2010, 11:25:51 PM »

I know, Marine Atlantic used to be better than this, I just thought the "Vision" was what the company considered "the way of the future".  If so, look forward to backlog on backlog every storm.  I live about an hour from Digby and I go on the Digby ferry on a regular basis during the summer months for day cruises on what I call "old reliable".  That's how my ferry passion started, on a former Marine Atlantic ferry!!  And when I boarded a superferry (Smallwood) for the first time in 1996, I was really impressed by her!!  Hearing those MAK Krupp diesels churning, walking the decks, and meeting the Captain, what a memorable experience, the Caribou, I felt the same way, but even more sentimental since the ship is my age!!  

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Shipping News and information / Re: MARINE ATLANTIC

« on: December 26, 2010, 10:47:28 PM »

Jacques, i thought you loved the VISION & said she was a beautiful vessel & should be main "DOG" of the fleet. For god sake man make up your mind. Either you think she is suitable or not suitable. Don,t let a few  old sea  dogs like gulfspan & a few more (including me) who express their opinion here deter you. Maybe time to take a nap. Would love to get you on her in 30 footers crossing to pab. Have a great xmas.

C'mon man, I already vented out my frustration, it's just a nice-looking ship inside and out, not a fully functional purpose-built ferry like the Carson or Gulfspan twins!! Just a "look at me" "sporty" vessel. She can't go across the gulf like the others can, and I'll say this one last timeI'm not from around North Sydney or Newfoundland, so I don't know what the status quo is for around the region.  I was just impressed by her and the crew, that's all she wrote for me!!  It was also my first "cruise ferry" experience, so, don't hold that against me!!  She's a nice ship, but not practical for the gulf run, and maybe Argentia would suit her better (I believe in second chances).  I'm a long time die hard MV Caribou fan by the way (I was born almost the same time as the ship) and when they decided to retire her, and pretty soon the J&C, I was P!$$ed off!!  And I said before, I like the Vision, but she ain't no Caribou.  "Vision lover", after two weeks at the dock hugging while J&C clears backlog,ME ARSE, I'm a "Princess of Acadia-aholic" (the old school Marine Atlantic ) And I'd rather row my way to Port aux Basques then hear people complaining about how lousy the service has become.  There, I'm done rantin'

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Shipping News and information / Re: MARINE ATLANTIC

« on: December 26, 2010, 10:32:33 PM »

I hear all of you!!  During my visit, i even noticed just walking from the North Star Inn to get into town is a big hassle now!!  And, while I was on the Smallwood this summer, when I asked the purser if he could let me go up to the wheelhouse and have a tour and talk to the Captain, he wouldn't let me  Post 9-11 B.S. I'd say.  Back in 1996, I got to meet the Captain on that same ferry and he even let me steer it too (much like I did on the ol' "Princess" last year)!!  What has the company got to hide??

I felt intimidated at the walkway going into North Sydney and I felt Marine Atlantic went overboard on this security thing.  Why can't a person get to the other side of North Sydney without feeling intimidated, or wait for a security guard to (no pun intended) "ferry" you over??   

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Shipping News and information / Re: MARINE ATLANTIC

« on: December 26, 2010, 08:46:30 PM »

I hear all of you!!  During my visit, i even noticed just walking from the North Star Inn to get into town is a big hassle now!!  And, while I was on the Smallwood this summer, when I asked the purser if he could let me go up to the wheelhouse and have a tour and talk to the Captain, he wouldn't let me  Post 9-11 B.S. I'd say.  Back in 1996, I got to meet the Captain on that same ferry and he even let me steer it too (much like I did on the ol' "Princess" last year)!!  What has the company got to hide??

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Shipping News and information / Re: MARINE ATLANTIC

« on: December 26, 2010, 07:03:50 PM »

I'm also sick of this "bash on Marine Atlantic"!!  It might take years, it might take a decade to get things on track there.  We used to have it here in Sou'west Nova and it was nice service back when the Fundy service was run by the Crown Corp.  And Bay Ferries kept that same level of service since they took over.  The people at Marine Atlantic have that traditional Newfoundland hospitality and are very courteous and kind!!  So, I don't like to bash on a company with courteous and well respected employees.  It just aggravates me when someone says something bad about a company with a very kind and giving staff!!    

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Shipping News and information / Re: MARINE ATLANTIC

« on: December 26, 2010, 06:23:45 PM »

I totally Agree Jarrod, and when the Carson was replaced, it was Marine Nautica and Atlantica (under Stena bare-boat charter) from 1977 until the then-new MV Caribou arrived in 1986.  MV William Carson was the "queen of the Gulf run" and I wish I was around to see her in action!!  She must've been a mini cruise ship in her day I'm sure there will be "growing pains" with the Blue Puttees and Highlanders, however, everyone must adapt to the changes, much like when the William Carson or the Caribou started!!  I read that the Carson had to go to Argentia for the first three years because it was too big to enter Port aux Basques and CN had to make modifications to the dock and the Caribou had many "teething problems" when she first started!!  however, both ships were well be-loved in the end and we're sad to see them both go, however, as the saying goes, "progress moves forward"   And I feel the same way for the Vision:  marketing the ship as a cruise ferry for the Argentia route, where I think is the most suitable fit for her  As I said before, Marine Atlantic was quite possibly thinking long term for the Vision if they were to either retire the Smallwood or keep her operating to Port aux Basques in tandem with the Caribou!! I just thought I'd share this, when the Princess of Acadia started service in 1971, one crew member told me the only problem she had was the bow visor wasn't working when she was either pulling out or coming into Saint John.  CP rectified the problem and she had no major problems since. 

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Shipping News and information / Re: MARINE ATLANTIC

« on: December 26, 2010, 05:27:30 PM »

I'm just SICK AND TIRED of this NIGHTMARE MAI PUT THEMSELVES INTO!!  They should get Purpose built ships and by the way I'm NOT FROM NEWFOUNDLAND so, I can't tell what the status quo is around the area.  I just think they (Marine Atlantic) need a chance to prove themselves and, as for Canadian Shipyards, well Davie is the ONLY YARD IN CANADA that can build two ferries like the J&C and I'm sick and tired of the G.D. Gov't putting Euro "junk" on any route.  Case in point, the Princess of Acadia, she was PURPOSE-BUILT for the BAY OF FUNDY SERVICE and I wouldn't want to see her replaced!!  She's the best ship for the run and when they do eventually replace her, it's most likely European GARBAGE.  Don't any of y'all ever call me a "VISION LOVER" because I like the Princess of Acadia(aka "Old Reliable") more than ANY OTHER FERRY.  I'm literally p!$$ed off when someone calls ma a "Vision Lover"  I'm just TICKED OFF about the Canadian Gov't making MAI deteriorate to a poor quality of service.  At least I'm satisfied with my be-loved Princess of Acadia until gov't forces Bay Ferries to retire her.  I see the point J&C(the "battle tank") makes runs while "Dock Hugger of an ocean liner" sits idle in Nova Scotia.  God Help Marine Atlantic!!  And as for the "nightmare" as some of you call it, I just lucked out and had a positive experience on board and also my first "cruise ferry" experience!! I'll always like Marine Atlantic, however, I thank god for the National Marine Policy of 1995 to divest the Bay of Fundy service to a private operator.  And we're better off with BAY Ferries (NFL Holdings)    There, I'm done venting