Northern-Expedition Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

A tragic incident off the coast of British Columbia has resulted in the death of a humpback whale after a collision with the ferry 'Northern Expedition' on September 17, 2025. The event occurred in the Wright Sound, near Prince Rupert, where the crew promptly alerted BC Ferries. This report triggered immediate communication with federal authorities, local Indigenous communities, and marine researchers. By September 19, around 10:30 a.m., a deceased humpback whale was located in the area. In response, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will conduct a necropsy to determine the cause of death for this majestic creature.

On September 11, 2018, BC Ferries reported that the 'Northern Expedition' experienced turbocharger issues with its starboard engine. Although the ferry maintained safety standards, its speed was notably reduced by several knots while operating between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy from September 11 to September 13. Passengers should be aware that although the vessel is aiming to stick to its usual schedule, it may arrive a few hours later than planned. To address the issue, BC Ferries has ordered necessary parts, with a technical team from Richmond scheduled to conduct repairs in Prince Rupert on September 14. However, the ferry operator indicated that there is uncertainty regarding whether the parts will arrive on time. Travelers looking to sail the Inside Passage on September 14 have faced a significant delay of up to 11 hours. The 'Northern Expedition' was initially set to depart at 07:30 a.m., while the 'Northern Adventure' from Haida Gwaii was scheduled for an 11 a.m. departure. Due to the repair work needed on the 'Northern Expedition,' the schedule has been adjusted, with the 07:30 a.m. sailing expected to leave as planned, but the 11 a.m. voyage is now pushed back to around 10 p.m. that same evening.

BC Ferries has announced the cancellation of sailings from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii for August 5 and 6, 2018, following damage to the turbocharger of the "Northern Expedition." The ferry service aimed to resume operations on August 7, with the "Northern Adventure" scheduled to depart from Prince Rupert at 6 a.m. and from Skidegate at 4 p.m. Moreover, on August 8, another sailing is planned to leave Prince Rupert at 10 p.m., returning from Haida Gwaii at the same hour. On the evening of August 4, the malfunctioning turbocharger forced the crew of the "Northern Expedition" to bypass a scheduled stop in Klemtu, as navigating with a single engine raised safety concerns. Instead, the ferry made a direct journey to Prince Rupert, where specialized technicians and replacement parts were on hand for immediate repairs. BC Ferries expressed optimism that repairs would be completed by midnight on August 6, with subsequent sea trials to ensure the vessel’s operational safety. However, should the repairs prove insufficient, the "Northern Adventure" may assume oversight of the Haida Gwaii route, potentially leading to the cancellation of sailings on the Prince Rupert-Port Hardy route. To mitigate disruptions, BC Ferries has also arranged for a tug and barge service to transport freight from Haida Gwaii to the mainland on August 6, ensuring essential goods continue to flow while the ferry service is restored.

Beginning this month, BC Ferries will elevate fares on the majority of its routes by 3.5 percent as a response to escalating diesel fuel expenses, as reported by CBC News. CEO Mike Corrigan expressed the urgency of this decision, stating, "We have waited as long as we can to implement a surcharge; however, we must act now as it is clear that fuel prices are unlikely to decline in the foreseeable future." Corrigan acknowledged the unpopularity of fuel surcharges among customers but emphasized the company's commitment to mitigating fuel costs, which includes plans to build new vessels capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Since 2004, BC Ferries has managed to reduce its fuel consumption by 5.8 million litres, yet the financial impact is significant, with fuel costs skyrocketing from CAD50 million ($47 million) to CAD121 million ($114 million) during that time frame. He pointed out that even a 1 percent rise in fuel costs translates to an added expense of CAD1.2 million ($1.1 million) for the company.