Powell River Queen

The M/V Powell River Queen is one of three Powell River Class ferries built to operate on the new minor routes acquired by BC Ferries in the early 1960’s. The Bowen Queen, Mayne Queen and the Powell River Queen were built for approximately 1 million dollars each in 1965.

Powell River Queen,BC Ferries,Powell River Class,Quadra,Campbell River,Discovery Pass,Quadra Island,Quathiaski Cove

Powell River Queen  approaching Quathiaski Cove

In 1973, the Powell River Queen underwent modifications to remove two passenger lounges (port and starboard, below the main passenger lounge) to increase over height capacity. The main passenger lounge was extended fore and aft to increase capacity.

Powell River Queen,BC Ferries,Powell River Class,Quadra,Campbell River,Discovery Pass,Quadra Island,Quathiaski Cove

  • Built: 1965, Victoria Machinery Depot Co. Victoria BC
  • Launched: November 15, 1965
  • Car Capacity: 50
  • Overall Length: 55.69m
  • Gross Tons: 1,124.61
  • Horsepower: 1,650
  • Maximum Speed: 13 knots

    In 1979, the Powell River Class ferries were refitted at a cost of 3 million. The ships were stretched by 30 metres to increase car capacity to 70,  and fitted with new engines. The Powell River Queen had 4 right angle drives installed, greatly increasing her manoeuvrability and suitability for routes that have strong currents and tight tolerances for navigation.

    • Overall Length: 84.96 m
    • Breadth: 18.7 m
    • Gross Tons: 1,475.68
    • Dead Weight: 515 tons
    • Draught: 3.3 m
    • Maximum Displacement: 1637 tonnes
    • Car Capacity: 70
    • Passenger & Crew Capacity: 400
    • 4 Caterpillar diesel engines, 900 BHP each,
    • 4 azimuth turning right angle drive propellers
    • Maximum Speed: 14.5 knots

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    Posted in history, ocean, Quadra Island, ships, Vancouver Island Images, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

    Rebecca Spit

    Rebecca Spit,Provincial Park,Quadra,Gulf Islands,Drew Harbour,Marine Park

    Overlooking Drew Harbour from Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park

    Rebecca Spit,Provincial Park,Quadra,Gulf Islands,Drew Harbour,Marine Park

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    Posted in Beach, Gulf Islands, nature, ocean, Provincial Park, Quadra Island, tourism, Vancouver Island Images, winter | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

    Strathcona – roadside waterfall

    One of many small waterfalls on the east side of Buttle Lake – this one was on Westmin Road in Strathcona Provincial Park.

    waterfall,Buttle Lake,Westmin Road,Strathcona,nature,winter,video,Strathcona Provincial Park 

    And a bit of video…

    waterfall,Buttle Lake,Westmin Road,Strathcona,nature,winter,video,Strathcona Provincial Park

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    Winter at Echo Lake

    Echo Lake,lake,winter,frozen,video,nature,outdoors,ice,trees

    I stopped for a quick break at Echo Lake while heading to Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park – pretty in the winter.

    Echo Lake,lake,winter,frozen.video,nature,outdoors,ice,trees

    Echo Lake,lake,winter,frozen.video,nature,outdoors,ice,trees

    Echo Lake,lake,winter,frozen.video,nature,outdoors,ice,trees

    and some silliness…

    Posted in lakes, nature, Vancouver Island Images, video, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

    Conuma Master

    Chemainus,Conuma Master,tugs,Jones Marine Group,marine railway

    Conuma Master at Jones Marine Group in Chemainus

    Chemainus,Conuma Master,tugs,Jones Marine Group,marine railway

    Chemainus,Conuma Master,tugs,Jones Marine Group,marine railway

    Posted in Georgia Strait, Gulf Islands, marina, ships, tugs, Vancouver Island Images | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

    Pacific Shadow

    French Ceek,Highway 19A,fishing boats,marina,Pacific Shadow

    Pacific Shadow at French Creek

    French Ceek,Highway 19A,fishing boats,marina,Pacific Shadow

    Posted in fishing boats, French Creek, Georgia Strait, marina, ships, Vancouver Island Images | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

    Quadra – Discovery Islands

    A bit of nature time at Discovery Lodge near Surge Narrows, between Maurelle Island and Quadra Island.

    Quadra,Discovery Islands,ocean,ountains,clouds,nature,time lapse

    This is a really cool place – off the grid and in touch with nature. I’ll return here in the spring for a kayaking adventure through the Discovery Islands.

    Quadra,Discovery Islands,ocean,ountains,clouds,nature,time lapse

    and a bit of time lapse video…

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    Posted in forest, Gulf Islands, mountains, Quadra Island, tourism, trees, Vancouver Island Images, video, winter | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

    BC Ferries Campbell River

    An early morning trip across Discovery Passage to Quathiaski Cove on Quadra starts with a visit to BC Ferries Campbell River terminal – and a short wait to board the Powell River Queen.

    BC Ferries,Quadra,Discovery Passage,Quathiaski Cove,vancouver island images

    A bit of rain mixed with light snow so I was quite glad to stay inside the Jeep where it was toasty and dry while waiting to board the Powell River Queen.

    BC Ferries,Quadra,Discovery Passage,Quathiaski Cove,vancouver island images

    BC Ferries,Quadra,Discovery Passage,Quathiaski Cove,vancouver island images

    After boarding I ventured up into the passenger lounge and then outside to take a few pictures. Warm and dry inside the ferry, cold and wet outside on the ferry deck – a hard choice sometimes…

    BC Ferries,Quadra,Discovery Passage,Quathiaski Cove,vancouver island images

    The lighting was much different on the return trip from Quadra, and the rain actually stopped for a brief period.

    BC Ferries,Quadra,Discovery Passage,Quathiaski Cove,vancouver island images

    Approaching Campbell River.

    BC Ferries,Quadra,Discovery Passage,Quathiaski Cove,vancouver island images

    And back into the terminal…

    BC Ferries,Quadra,Discovery Passage,Quathiaski Cove,vancouver island images

    Posted in Gulf Islands, ocean, Quadra Island, ships, tourism, Vancouver Island Images, winter | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

    CCGS Cape Kuper

    Cape Kuper,Campbell River,Coast Guard,ships,Cape class motor lifeboat,and now you know

    CCGS Cape Kuper in Campbell River

    Cape Kuper is one of 36 Cape-class lifeboats operated by the Canadian Coast Guard.

    • Built: 2005 Victoria Shipyard Ltd., Victoria, British Columbia
    • Construction: Aluminum
    • Length: 14.6 m
    • Breadth: 4.3 m
    • Draft: 1.4 m
    • Freeboard: 0.8 m
    • Gross Tonnage: 33.8 t
    • Net Tonnage: 25.3 t
    • Cruising Speed: 22.0 kts
    • Maximum Speed: 25.0 kts
    • Fuel Capacity: 1.60 m3
    • Propulsion: Twin screw, 2 x Caterpillar 3196, 671kw
    • Crew: 4
    • VHF AM: Bendix-King KY196
    • VHF FM: Ross DSC 500
    • HF: Motorola Micom
    • Gyro: Anschutz Gyrostar II
    • Radar: Furuno 1942 – X Band
    • Electronic Chart: ICAN Aldebaran II
    • Auto Pilot: Comnav 2001
    • GPS: Magnavox MX400B
    • VHF DF: JMC DF5500
    • Depth Sounders:
      • Si-Tex Koden CVS 106
      • Datamarine 3000

    And now you know…

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    Cape Mudge lighthouse

    Located at the southern tip of Quadra Island, Cape Mudge Lighthouse marks the southern entrance to Discovery Passage.  The lighthouse is equipped with an automated weather-observing system and a solar-powered light, horn and videograph fog sensor

    beach, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage, ocean, Quadra Island, vancouver island images,lighthouse,light house,history,and now you know

    A few miles north lie Seymour Narrows, which George Vancouver described as “one of the vilest stretches of water in the world.”

    In 1898 a lighthouse was built on the point by G.H. Frost of Nanaimo for  $1,225. It was a square wood dwelling painted white with a square wood lantern centered on the red roof. The lighthouse’s fixed white light, exhibited thirty-two feet above high water, could be seen for ten miles. A fifth-order Fresnel lens replaced the original light in 1908.

    In 1913 a fog signal building, equipped with a diaphone fog horn, and a new dwelling and oil shed were added to the station.

    beach, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage, ocean, Quadra Island, vancouver island images,lighthouse,light house,history,and now you know

    In 1916 the wood  lighthouse was replaced with a forty-two-foot white octagonal reinforced concrete tower with a red lantern on top. The original lighthouse was retained as a dwelling.

    Cape Mudge light focal plane 17.5 m (58 ft); continuous red or white light, depending on direction, with a more intense flash every 5 s. 12 m (40 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern and gallery painted red. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s).

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

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    It was snowing when I visited in January…

    and now you know

    Posted in Beach, history, lighthouse, ocean, Quadra Island, Vancouver Island Images | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment