Have you got an old turntable and you can't figure out what to do with it? Put it down by the docks for the tugboats to use!


I found this while sky surfing around Victoria BC today.

Now that's pretty neat! Is there a reason why boats need to be turned like that? Maintenance issues or repairs?

MountainMan Wrote:Now that's pretty neat! Is there a reason why boats need to be turned like that? Maintenance issues or repairs?

Looks like a way of getting several ships up on shore to work on them: http://www.pointhopemaritime.com/facilities.htm

More pictures of the ship turntable: http://www.pointhopemaritime.com/phase1.htm

Smile,
Stein

That is cool, especially as it is in my hometown.

It would be fun to see that in action. Thanks for the pic!
Ralph

ngaugingnut Wrote:That is cool, especially as it is in my hometown.

So did I manage to find something you did not know was there?
PM'd you.

I don't think it is really needed to "turn" boats. It seems to be an alternative to a dry dock for smaller craft. It would appear to be more compact than a dry dock and able to be used for working on 2 or 3 boats simultaneously.

McGillicutty Wrote:Have you got an old turntable and you can't figure out what to do with it? Put it down by the docks for the tugboats to use! I found this while sky surfing around Victoria BC today.

Looks like a very efficient use of space, for below waterline maintenance.
My guess is :
1- the object at the top of the picture is a "floating drydock".
2- the object directly above the turntable, in the picture, is a "float bridge".
3- and the whole complex is an ingenious variation of a "marine Railway"
The tugs are moved into the submersed drydock, which is then pumped out, raising the tug out of the water. The raised drydock is then floated over to the bridge float, and the tug is "railed" ashore. When the maintenance is completed, the reverse process puts the tug back in the water.

Where I have a "solid" water surface, and waterline ships,boats, that would be an excellent way of displaying
full hull models !! 8-) 8-) 8-)
The approximate distance from the end of the "float", to the opposite end of the turntable ( based on an 82' length for the tug) is 185', It would require a 4' X 5' (approximate) space to model the scene in HO, with some "compression".

Sumpter250 Wrote:My guess is :
1- the object at the top of the picture is a "floating drydock".
2- the object directly above the turntable, in the picture, is a "float bridge".
3- and the whole complex is an ingenious variation of a "marine Railway"
The tugs are moved into the submersed drydock, which is then pumped out, raising the tug out of the water. The raised drydock is then floated over to the bridge float, and the tug is "railed" ashore. When the maintenance is completed, the reverse process puts the tug back in the water.

That is indeed exactly how it works, as explained in the link I posted a little earlier in this thread :-)

Smile,
Stein

steinjr Wrote:That is indeed exactly how it works, as explained in the link I posted a little earlier in this thread :-) Smile,
Stein

I was so distracted by the photo...( and the thought of modeling that scene ) that I completely missed that link !
On the other hand ------- not a bad guess !

A Big Thanks to you, McGillicutty for a very enjoyable and informative topic post.
I enjoyed checking out the shipyard's website and as I was doing it I remembered that a former housemate of mine came from Vancouver Island so I liked the synergy.
Members and lurkers who model lift bridges maybe interested to read the hours of operation details for Victoria Harbour and note the lock out hours due to peak hour vehicle traffic. I thought that information could make for interesting operating wrinkles.
Also a somewhat belated welcome to Big Blue from me. Welcome

Mark

Mr Fixit Wrote:A Big Thanks to you, McGillicutty for a very enjoyable and informative topic post.
I enjoyed checking out the shipyard's website and as I was doing it I remembered that a former housemate of mine came from Vancouver Island so I liked the synergy.
Members and lurkers who model lift bridges maybe interested to read the hours of operation details for Victoria Harbour and note the lock out hours due to peak hour vehicle traffic. I thought that information could make for interesting operating wrinkles.
Also a somewhat belated welcome to Big Blue from me. Welcome

Mark

The sad thing is that we have lost our rail bridge connection to downtown. They have just recently removed the rail bridge of the soon to be replaced Johnson Street Bridge (the Blue Bridge). See info at http://Johnsonstreetbridge.org. The new bridge does not have a rail span planned for it. At this point passenger rail service on Vancouver Island is suspended until major track repairs can be made along the whole line. Sad that more emphasis is being placed on building a brand new LRT line rather than refurbishing and reusing the existing rail lines.