Seal Cove Airport finds increased activity during BC Ferries staffing issues; Ferry service to resume with Friday Sailing to Port Hardy

Prince Rupert's east side has seen a bump in float plane activity over the last few days, that as passengers looking to transit between the city and Haida Gwaii take up the offer of charter flights to help address the current BC Ferries Sailing cancellations.

As we outlined earlier this week, the Service out of Prince Rupert both to Haida Gwaii and south bound to the Central Coast and Port Hardy had been suspended as of Sunday. 

With the Ferry Corporation subsequently confirming later in the week that the service interruption was due to a large number of COVID cases reported among its staff members.

The cancellations of so many of the sailings of the week made for some busy times for North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who's office has been receiving many calls and emails related to the situation. One temporary solution to move stranded passengers was an airlift of sorts which began midweek, with BC Ferries making note of the options through their social media feed.

Today's information flow from the Ferry Corporation advising that the Northern Adventure continues to provide cargo and limited essential passenger travel only sailings, with TAP medical customers receiving priority, on the following schedule: 

As well since yesterday, BC Ferries has been arranging for charter flights from the Seal Cove Airport to Skidegate.

As for the status of a return to full service for the Northern Adventure, the Service Notice for today advises that Regular scheduled service in the north will resume Friday, April 29 starting with the 11:00 am sailing from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy. 

A relaunch that will leave residents of Haida Gwaii waiting a few additional days for their first full regular sailing schedule to resume.

Updates on the BC Ferries service for the North Coast can be accessed here.

More notes on BC Ferries and other Marine transportation on the North Coast can be explored here.