A long line of vehicles slowly snakes its way from CFB Esquimalt and HMC Dockyard, painstakingly inching along congested streets toward the West Shore or Victoria and beyond.
But Ordinary Seaman Jeff McConnell isnB次元官网网址檛 sitting behind the wheel of his minivan pressing the brake more often than the gas pedal. Instead, heB次元官网网址檚 standing on a jetty at the Naden side of CFB Esquimalt, waiting for his ride home after work.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 horrible,B次元官网网址� the naval sonar operator says of facing the stop-and-go commute twice a day.
That all changed in April when he started taking the Canadian NavyB次元官网网址檚 Blue Boat ferry, which shuttles military and civilian defence personnel across Esquimalt harbour between the militaryB次元官网网址檚 Colwood property and two stops at the navy base in Esquimalt.
B次元官网网址淕oing down (the Trans-Canada Highway) was the worst and Island Highway was terrible (when construction meant alternating traffic). A lot of times weB次元官网网址檇 turn our van off and wait,B次元官网网址� McConnell says.
This afternoon he is first in line waiting for the 10-minute ride aboard the Blue Boat to Colwood, where his wife is waiting in the family minivan to pick him up.
McConnell estimates the ferries, which, at more than 50 years old are the oldest-operating vessels at the base, have saved him about $60 a week in gas money, and well as shaved more than an hour off his daily commute. The service has a total daily ridership of about 800 people.
B次元官网网址淲ithout that it would add at least half of that (in vehicles) back on the road. ItB次元官网网址檚 extremely valuable,B次元官网网址� Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins says of the ferry service. B次元官网网址淲hen Dockyard gets out (in the afternoon) then our roads get congested.B次元官网网址�
Two Blue Boats make 13 trips between HMC Dockyard, Naden and Colwood every day, Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to the last run at 5:45 p.m. They can each shuttle up to 67 personnel, plus three crew members, at a time.
Recently, an estimated 9,000 people used the service in one month, says Tony Steward, marine superintendant with the base auxiliary fleet section, which oversees the boats.
B次元官网网址淚f all the navy ships are in (at the base), then the passenger traffic goes up,B次元官网网址� Steward says, adding that a commute by boat also frees up base and dockyard parking spots, which are usually at a premium.
B次元官网网址淚f the ferry wasnB次元官网网址檛 running, those (hundreds of) motorcars would end up in Esquimalt and the good people of Esquimalt wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be amused at all.B次元官网网址�
Based on data supplied by CFB Esquimalt, B.C. Transit was able to determine that 46 per cent of people who work at the base are affected by the B次元官网网址渃rawl,B次元官网网址� as the congested commute to and from the West Shore is known. There are more than 480 housing units for military families on the West Shore.
Some ferry users bike to the Blue Boat and bring their two-wheelers on board, which B次元官网网址減romotes fitness (as well as) the whole idea of less people in cars,B次元官网网址� says Sara Helmeczi, base public affairs officer.
Commuters outside the defence community may eye the ferry service with some envy, but due to limited carrying capacity, infrastructure and safety issues, the military is not in a position to offer the service to the general public.
B次元官网网址淥ur people would have to take priority,B次元官网网址� says Helmeczi. B次元官网网址淚t wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be something that could be counted on. If the boat was full of (Department of National Defence) people, then there would be no room for anybody else. ItB次元官网网址檚 just not practical.B次元官网网址�
Once McConnell disembarks with the crowd in Colwood, another group of passengers comes onboard for a ride back to base.
Master Seaman Scott Buckland, who works at the fleet diving unit in Colwood and lives in Esquimalt, chooses a spot to stand on deck. He says the the ferry saves him time, gas money and hassle.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 be screwed,B次元官网网址� says Buckland. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just so nice. IB次元官网网址檝e got my headphones and I sit and listen to my music, stress free. ItB次元官网网址檚 a great way to start the day.B次元官网网址�
emccracken@vicnews.com
