Staffing shortage brings BC Ferries service in and out of Prince Rupert to halt

The Sailings of the Northern Adventure have been scuttled this
week as BC Ferries navigates a staffing shortage  

Residents of Prince Rupert and Travellers who arrived over the weekend with plans to travel aboard BC Ferries sailings out of the Fairview Bay Ferry terminal, have been spending a bit more time in the community than perhaps had been planned for this week.  

That as Crew staffing situation has left the Northern Adventure at dock, with a string of sailings cancelled as of April 24th.

In their Service Notice for customers, BC Ferries has advised that all sailings to and from the City have been cancelled until April 28th at the earliest.

click to enlarge 

BC Ferries does not specify as to the nature of the Crewing shortages whether it be medical related or otherwise, but the Ferry Service has been reminding passengers of staffing issues for a number of months now coming out of COVID and with a number of vacant positions to fill internally with the marine service.

The Most recent notice does not outline why it will take much of the week to ensure that the proper volume of staff members is brought in to provide for a return to service.

In their advisory the Ferry Corporation notes that it is required to have a specific number of crew members on board the vessel to ensure the safety of passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations. 

BC Ferries advises that they will continue to provide updates as soon as they become available. 

Similar staffing issues have impacted sailings to and from Prince Rupert through the first four months of this year.

You can access those updates through their Service Notice homepage.

More notes related to Marine Transportation on the North Coast can be reviewed here.