A Welcome return for the Northern Expedition

The Northern Expedition heading into Prince Rupert

After close to six weeks out of service for some immediate maintenance, the Northern Expedition has retuned to the northern Fleet for BC Ferries, taking to the waters just prior to the August long weekend.

One of the two workhorses for BC Ferries service on the North Coast had been out of service since June, that after engine issues required it to sail south for repairs just as the summer schedule of service to Haida Gwaii and Port Hardy was set to get underway.

As a result, all of July saw the Northern Adventure in service on the winter schedule which meant for lost sailing opportunities for many travellers to and through Prince Rupert from the west and south.

Prince Rupert City Councillor Barry Cunningham alerted the public to the issue at the time, noting of the challenges that the reduced service would mean for residents of the region.

"People should note that if they're going to be travelling by BC Ferries, the Northern Expedition is down and going to be in dry dock probably until the first week of August for repairs. So they'll be using the Northern Adventure on the winter schedule for both Route 10 and 11 which is the Port Hardy - Prine Rupert  and Prince Rupert - Haida Gwaii. So anyone that is planning on travelling by ferry should look into the schedule and that because it's going to be a little bit different than the every second day that people are used to for travel on the North Coast"

The current status of BC Ferries northern Fleet has the
Northern Expedition sailing south from Prince Rupert, while
the Northern Adventure is presently docked in Skidegate

You can keep up to date on the status of sailings in Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and Port Hardy from the BC Ferries Service Notices page.

More notes on Marine transportation on the North Coast can be explored here.