BC Ferries Summer of mechanical woe continues, with weekend issues for Northern Sea Wolf

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice welcoming the 
Northern Sea Wolf to service back in 2019

BC Ferries has had a rough summer in keeping the services offered to the North Coast, Central Coast and Haida Gwaii working to best capacity, with the Northern Sea Wolf, which serves Port Hardy and the Central Coast the latest vessel to suffer some mechanical issues.

The latest incident came this past weekend when BC Ferries advised of delays to their schedule following engine issues with the vessel.

The Saturday situation just one of a few problems this summer for the latest addition to the fleet, which was also noted in mid August by BC Ferries. 

That one as well related to engine woes for the Northern Sea Wolf, which joined the fleet in June of 2019, but faced a range of delays in 2020 owing to COVID.

The vessel most recently had a refit in April of this year.

 

The sailing issues of the Summer made for the narrative for travellers of the Prince Rupert - Port Hardy and Prince Rupert - Haida Gwaii runs earlier in the season, with service reduced to one vessel the Northern Adventure, that after the Northern Expedition had to return south for extensive repairs.

The timing for the repairs making for a reduced schedule for the start of the summer for the service that returned to the Winter Schedule offering less opportunities for transit during the busiest period of the year.

Fortunately the repairs to the Northern Expedition were completed by the August long weekend, when the ship returned to service and so far (touch wood) the service hasn't had too many delays or situations to deal with.

More notes on BC Ferries can be reviewed here.