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Alaska Ferry MV Taku Sold

Alaska Just Sold the ferry MV Taku

The MV Taku - a 55 year old 352' long ferry belonging to the State of Alaska has been sold to Dubai based Jabar Al Lawz Trading.

With only a balance of $171,000 owing on the sale & the remaining paperwork to be signed, the MV Taku has completed her ferry service in Alaska and now both residents and visitors can only remember with fondness, the grand old lady who served the Ketchikan - Skagway ferry route for so many years.

The retired ferry will soon head to Seattle, then across the Pacific to the Philippines and then on to her final destination.
Whether she will be scrapped or refitted or perhaps even returned to service as a ferry, is still undecided - but either way, we wish her good luck and a Bon Voyage. 

BC Ferry Sold

Awww - She's Gone

Sold to the highest bidder, the BC ferry Queen of Burnaby is leaving BC.

Bragging rights to owning that 400+' vessel now belong a new owner who paid $653k (incl taxes).
Six Hundred & fifty-three thousand is less, but much roomer, than the cost of a small Vancouver condo - but like everything else in BC, even an old ferry has increased in value!

The BC Ferries Corp realized an extra couple of hundred thousand from a few years ago when the Queen of Burnaby was 1st put on the market and a $400,000k bid was turned down by BC Ferries.

Happy Sailing or, whatever.

Direct Port Hardy -Bella Coola Ferry Service Returns

Northern Sea Wolf will serve the North Coast in 2018
BC Ferries new ferry the Northern Sea Wolf will restore direct summer service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola and will provide a weekly service between Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Shearwater and Ocean Falls.
 
The name Sea Wolf was chosen because First Nations legends say the sea wolf, a manifestation of the orca, symbolizes family, loyalty and protection of those travelling in its waters.

A Ferry For $6,000.00 ?

Bragging Rights

High School reunion coming up?   Trying to impress future in-laws?
Depending on your degree of believability this might just be an opportunity to brag about ownership of a super yacht. 

After all, the Queen of Burnaby is in fact 426 feet -and that ranks right up with Paul Allen's 414 foot Octopuss.  And, its much longer longer than Oprah's MV HARPO.

Currently the Queen of Burnaby is not quite as pretty as either of those - nor does she have the same amenities - but we're talking bragging rights not ferry service, correct?

There are however a few important issues with the retired BC Ferry, Queen of Burnaby.
1) The vessel had experienced periodic leakage of hydraulic oil from controllable pitch propeller hub.
2) she has hazardous materials from new build
3) there are operations which must be managed in accordance with environmental regulations
4) there is an asbestos issue
5) there are also known issues with diesel fuel, petroleum based lubricants, wiring and insulation products, paints, refrigerants, plus other chemical issues
5) the ships sailing license had also expired

However, if you had a place to dock the Queen and, were willing to take on the responsibility of owing an aging vessel with many, many, many issues, the Queen of Burnaby could be yours.     And how many people own a 426 foot vessel anyway?

BC Ferries has only received a bid of 5,720 CAD on an ask of 6,000 - so the Queen Of Burnaby is still up for grabs!


BC Ferries Says: Butt Out

BC Ferries No Smoking Ban
Commencing 22 January 2018, BC Ferries will implement its No Smoking Ban. The ban applies to both the inside and outside decks of any BC Ferry Vessel.

The new policy supports the health and wellness of customers and employees by reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and it aligns with other transportation services to ensure everyone BC Ferries can breathe smoke-free air.

The new smoke-free policy applies to tobacco and any other substance including e-cigarettes, and is expected to reduce the number of complaints BC Ferries receives from customers related to second-hand smoke.

Avoid Alaska Ferry Travel Disappointment

Ferries to Alaska Must be booked Early
Every year travel disappointment results from having waited too long before booking the ferry to Alaska.
Because there are so few ferry sailings from Bellingham to Whittier ( Whittier is the ferry port closest to Anchorage and the only port that bypasses travel through Canada), space will be sold out within the next few weeks.
To enquire about the schedules, fares etc for the ferries to from and throughout Alaska call toll free 1-800-686-0446.
It costs nothing to build a file which would ensure that you are contacted the moment your requested space is available.  

Will Alaska Marine Raise Summer 2018 Fares ?

Alaska’s Southeast Conference is calling for Ticket Price Increases

Chatter re the Alaska Marine Highway System (a ferry system which has suffered from aging vessels and a shortage of operational monies)- is calling for both an increase in the ferry fares and the replacement of some ferries with smaller, more efficient vessels.

A recommendation that the ferry system be run by an independent public corporation has once again been forwarded.
The suggestion here being that an independent public corporation would provide greater efficiencies across the board.
In part, the efficiencies would result from the ability of visitors to Alaska to consider and make reservations well in advance of travel because the operating budgets for the ferries would be set farther in advance - much the same as is done by the competitive cruise ship market.

Too, as an independent corporation, the system would likely look at operating in a manner similar to most other ferry companies who currently encourage strong travel industry partnerships to help relieve the otherwise internal costs of promotion and marketing.

 

Congratulations BC Ferries!

BC Ferries Focused on Customer Feedback to Improve Manifest
Listening to customers and adjusting fares to maximize ferry loads, BC Ferries saw the highest passenger traffic levels that the company has experienced in over 20 years during the second quarter .

As a way to improve affordability for travellers, BC Ferries provided a range of deeply discounted fares for travel on off-peak sailings.
This move not only increased ferry traffic, but opened up availability on the popular sailings.

Ferry Sailings for Cordova, Whittier, Valdez Revised

High Winds Result in Ferry Cancellations

The M/V Fairweather sailing for Thursday 26 October 2017, is canceled due to expected high winds and seas.
A stop in Valdez has been added to the vessel's 27 October 2017 sailing schedule.

The Fairweathers re-scheduled sailings for 27 October 2017 follow:

Depart Cordova, 830am - Arrive Whittier, 1145am
Depart Whittier, 12:15pm - Arrive Valdez, 3:00pm
Depart Valdez at 3:30pm - Arrive Cordova,  6:15pm

Rules for Lower Car Deck Ferry Passengers

Vehicle Passengers On The Lower Vehicle Decks

As of 12 October 2017, passengers travelling on BC Ferries will no longer be able to remain in their vehicles if located on the lower ferry decks.  

Passengers on the upper vehicle decks will be encouraged to move to the passengers lounges but ultimately it will be the passengers decision. 

Vehicle passengers with ferry reservations will automatically be loaded on the upper decks and BC Ferries will try, but can not guarantee to accommodate the requests of those vehicle passengers travelling without reservations. 


BC Ferries Names Newest Vessel

Northern Sea Wolf to Ferry Inside Passage Passengers Summer 2018

Christened the Northern Sea Wolf, BC Ferries newest ferry will begin her Inside Passage route commencing summer 2018.

According to Native legend the sea wolf is believed to be the manifestation of the Orca, - and her spirit protects those travelling their oceans.

The 10hr ferry crossing between Port Hardy and Bella Coola will transport passengers through glacial Fjords, past old growth forests and into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest.

Early Ferry reservations are a must and the lowest prices can be secured most quickly by going to   www.ferrytravel.com
If not within internet range call 1-800-686-0446 or if outside North America call 1-604-733-9113

Parents Travelling to Canada with Children

Parents travelling to/thru Canada with Children
When travelling on a ferry and disembarking in a different country OR disembrking the ferry and driving the Alcan to places like Anchorage, Fairbanks etc so dipping into Canada for a short while, parents sharing custody of their children must carry copies of their legal custody documents, e.g. custody rights.

If custody is shared and the other parent is not travelling, or if travelling with minors for whom you are not the parent or legal guardian, a consent letter (including the custodial parents' or legal guardians' full name, address and telephone number) is recommended.

Having the consent letter notarized to support its authenticity is advantageous and often aids in avoiding unnecessary delays.

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