NORTHERN EXPEDITION

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Course/Position

Latest news

Ferry slowed down by turbocharger issues

On Sep 11, 2018, BC Ferries announced that the "Northern Expedition" was having trouble with the turbocharger in its starboard engine. While it could still sail safely, it moved several knots slower than usual when sailing between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy from Sep 11 to Sep 13. It has been reported that, the vessel will keep close to its schedule, although may arrive a few hours later than planned. BC Ferries has ordered parts to fix the issue, and a technical team from Richmond will install them in Prince Rupert on Sep 14. However, BC Ferries was not 100 per cent sure the parts will arrive on time.Passengers planning a sail down the Inside Passage on Sep 14, were now being pushed back by 11 hours. The "Northern Expedition" was supposed to leave at 07.30 a.m. and the "Northern Adventure" from Haida Gwaii was slotted for 11 a.m. But now, the vessels are being swapped for the work on the "Northern Expedition". The 07.30 a.m. sailing was expected to leave on time, but the 11 a.m. voyage is anticipated to leave at 10 p.m. that night instead.

Ferry sidelined due to turbocharger damage

BC Ferries cancelled sailings from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii on Aug 5 and 6, 2018, and planned to restart the service on Aug 7 with the "Northern Adventure" at 6 a.m. from Prince Rupert and a 4 p.m. from Skidegate. On Aug. 8, another sailing will depart Prince Rupert at 10 p.m. with a 10 p.m. return trip from Haida Gwaii. In the evening of Aug 4, a failed turbocharger on the "Northern Expedition" forced the captain to skip a stop in Klemtu, where it was unsafe to sail with a single engine. Instead, the "Northern Expedition" sailed directly to Prince Rupert, where a specialist technician and new parts were available. BC Ferries hoped the repairs would be finished on Aug 6 around midnight with sea trials to follow. If the repairs did not work as planned, the "Northern Adventure" will continue to service Haida Gwaii, with the result that sailings will be lost on the Prince Rupert-Port Hardy route. BC Ferries also contracted a tug and barge to carry freight from Haida Gwaii to the mainland on Aug 6.

Rising Bunker Prices Drive up Ferry Fares

BC Ferries will raise its fares on most routes by 3.5 percent this month to pay for rising diesel fuel costs, Canadian news service CBC News reports. "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," said CEO Mike Corrigan. "We are well aware that implementing a fuel surcharge is unpopular with our customers, and we are doing everything we can to keep our fuel costs as low as possible, including building new ships with LNG [liquefied natural gas] capability." Corrigan said BC Ferries has reduced its fuel use by 5.8 million litres since 2004, but its fuel costs still rose to CAD121 million ($114 million) from CAD50 million ($47 million) over that period He added that every 1 percent increase in fuel prices adds CAD1.2 million ($1.1 million) to the company's expenses. http://shipandbunker.com/news/am/218455-rising-bunker-prices-drive-up-ferry-fares