This just in.
Waiting for the tide.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-ferries-sailing-wait-stuck-truck-anger-1.3617285Thank You
One would think BC Ferries would arrange such truck moves consistant with the tide level needed - the problem can crop up on both ends - if high tide is needed.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
That got a whole lot worse for the truck as the tide went out, didn't it? I see why it was supposed to hold up so many sailings...
This sort of thing also happened to car floats in the New York area, when there WERE car floats. Add an unusually heavy car on the lower of the two edge tracks (the other being empty) to a lower than usual low tide... When you're waiting for it, it seems to take the tide forever to rise. The reverse is also true.
Great Lakes ferries steamed in water where variations in level were measured in inches and fractions. Pacific Coast tides are measured in fathoms. In the History Channel's coverage of the BC - Alaska car float they mentioned that there was a rather narrow window where the float and the apron could be matched up. Whittier has a tide range of about nineteen feet. This ferry has to contend with about fifteen feet.
I hope, but don't really expect, that the damage will be confined to the truck.
Chuck (Ex Merchant Marine cadet)
tomikawaTT This sort of thing also happened to car floats in the New York area, when there WERE car floats. Chuck (Ex Merchant Marine cadet)
This sort of thing also happened to car floats in the New York area, when there WERE car floats.
There are still car floats in the New York area..
http://nynjr.com/
Cross Harbor Railway Greenville, NJ - Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY being the main one, ex- PRR - LIRR/NYNH&H I think Bush Terminal is still in business, and South Brooklyn, frieght dept. of NYCTA, probably still has its 38/39thStreet float-peir for new car delivary.
The Lake Michigan car ferries may not have had to contend with tides but they did have to deal with fluctuations in the level of the lake. I have seen some fairly steep gradients on the apron when the lake level was high.
After a few years of low lake levels, the current level of Lake Michigan is near an all-time recorded high level.
CSSHEGEWISCHfter a few years of low lake levels, the current level of Lake Michigan is near an all-time recorded high level.
The level of the St Lawrence River above the St Lawrence Power Project is to a large extent dependent on what is allowed to pass through the dams. Which is somewhat dependent on the water levels at Montreal. Lake Ontario is also affected.
The vehicle ferry at Cape Vincent has to deal with that - but as was noted, it's seasonal. It may be high now, but with a dry summer, the marinas start having problems (although the prop shops do a nice business when the water is low...)
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
I know there are still a few car floats in New York. I also remember that, when I was in high school, I could see a dozen railroad tugs, each with one or two floats and/or platform lighters, on a one-way trip on the Staten Island Ferry.
As for water levels, Lake Mead is so low that they had to move the marina. The cove where it's supposed to be located is dry land, including part of the Six Companies Railroad right-of-way that's been under water since I was in knee britches.
At the rate things are going, it won't be long before Lomix is visible.
Chuck (desert-dwelling ex-Noo Yawka)
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