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SeaBus
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The SeaBus is a passenger-only ferry service connecting downtown Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver. The SeaBus is owned and operated by the Coast Mountain Bus Company and is an important part of TransLink's integrated public transportation system.
Service
The ferries operate between approximately 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. daily. During the daytime from Monday to Saturday both ferries operate, with the two ferries departing simultaneously from opposite termini and passing each other halfway. The crossing takes 10-12 minutes in each direction, with a 3-5 minute turnaround and, therefore, operates on a 15 minute turn-around schedule. At these times, over 50 crossings are made a day. During the evenings and on Sundays, service is reduced to a 30 minute schedule with only one ferry operating.
The SeaBus is capable of operating on a 12 minute turnaround (or even 10 minutes with simultaneous loading and unloading). However, at the higher speeds, the wake created disturbs other users of the Burrard Inlet. During overloads they do sometimes operate at the higher speeds.
The turnstiles on the entrance into the SeaBus waiting area are used only for counting the number of passengers boarding the SeaBus. When the maximum number is reached the turnstiles will "lock" and no more passengers will be allowed on that SeaBus.
Traditionally, like all public transit in Vancouver, the Seabus offers free rides on New Year's Eve to discourage drinking and driving.
Terminals
The SeaBus stops on the Vancouver side at Waterfront Station, near the Vancouver Convention Centre and cruise ship terminal at Canada Place. At Waterfront Station, there are connections to the SkyTrain and West Coast Express. In North Vancouver, the SeaBus stops at the purpose-built Lonsdale Quay, which in addition to serving many commuters has become an important tourist destination, with a hotel, public market, and bus loop.
Construction and Operations
The ferries are catamaran ferries constructed out of aluminium, which was quite rare at the time of construction. The ferries are double ended so that they can travel in either direction without turning around. There are two diesel engines in each hull (one for each end) and four propellers that operate at the same time. The engines are identical to the ones used by the diesel buses on the transit system. The ferries can operate with only three propellers if required.
Except for an addition of more modern radar, the controls and electronics have not been modernized. With the radar, the ferries are able to operate in even the densest fog.
The original emergency procedure involved using the other SeaBus to evacuate passengers from the distressed SeaBus. Although the viability of this had been demonstrated, Transport Canada became concerned about this approach during times that the other SeaBus may not be available and has recently mandated the addition of life rafts.
As there are no spare ferries, all refits and upgrades have been done during a long weekend when they can maintain half hour service with one boat. Changing an engine and minor refits can be done during the out of service time overnight. Despite running for nearly three decades, the two ships are rarely taken out of service for maintenance, boasting a 99.92% service reliability, a record unparalleled in North America.
The ferries operate with four crew on board (Captain and First Mate on the bridge and two attendants on the passenger level) and engineers who stay ashore most of the time, but do regular checks of the engines and are available to come aboard at any time.
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