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Letters: Containing water; Rough start

Containing water I just couldn’t help but wonder when I read the story [“Council upholds ban,” May 10] regarding plastic water bottles. To suggest nobody will carry water in any containers other than single-use plastic bottles is just not realistic.

Containing water

I just couldn’t help but wonder when I read the story [“Council upholds ban,” May 10] regarding plastic water bottles.

To suggest nobody will carry water in any containers other than single-use plastic bottles is just not realistic. It seems to be based on convenience that many people choose to carry water in single-use plastic bottles as opposed to containers designed for this use, including aluminum, stainless steel or any other type of reusable vessel. If, however, examples are made that there are easy-to-use alternatives, people will eventually make the change.

Anyone attending the Vancouver Island Music Fest in Comox Valley will come away impressed with how the issue of containing drinking water, as well as the overall protection of the environment, occupies centre stage at the large event.

At the festival grounds, where up to 10,000 people attend each day, water is available, but plastic containers are strongly banned. There are water filling stations everywhere and water wagons pulled around by young volunteers allow easy access to water for everyone. If you forget to bring your own container, you can buy a souvenir (non-plastic) bottle for a nominal cost.

Also, in the spirit of getting everyone on board for recycling, there are drop sites manned by volunteers so there is no confusion as to how to dispose of your items. And the great thing is, no one gripes and everyone sees just how much importance is placed on being responsible for the health of the planet.

There is no fear of banning plastics in Comox and there should not be here in Powell River.

Jerry Eskes
Park Avenue

 

Rough start

BC Ferries really has hit rock bottom. The first run on the first day of the new ferry [“Quick Peak: Salish Orca sails,” May 10] was 46 minutes late.

So much for its so-called service speed of 15.5 knots and capability to go faster to make up for lost time/delayed sailings. They have had it for 4.5 months doing dock trials and crew training; absolutely unbelievable.

The big ferries they got for the Olympic traffic seemed to go into service in a matter of weeks after arrival. Obviously, the crew training didn’t work too well as the first delayed sailing was due to operational delays.

The last Queen of Burnaby run was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Every since a captain parked the Queen of Chilliwack off Blubber Bay for 12 hours in a storm instead of returning to Powell River for the night, things have never been the same.

Mandatory cancellations at 70-kilometre per hour wind gusts (real or imaginary) seem to have affected the latest crews, who, by the way, have lost complete interest in how fast they can load and unload. They used to be real slick until a couple of years ago, then the crews changed and it has never been the same since.

A few years ago, very quietly, BC Ferries changed the sailing time on the run from 1.25 hours to 1.5 hours without any publicity whatsoever, due to, I understand, the engines getting very old and worn out. I suppose it is too much to hope that the service goes back to a 1.25-hour crossing time. It makes a heck of a difference to people who have 10:30 or 11 am medical appointments on Vancouver Island.

This is not a good omen for the future.

Morris Moser
Maple Avenue