People making the trip to Haida Gwaii this winter will be travelling aboard the newer and larger Northern Expedition, the first time the ship has serviced that route during the winter since it came into service back in May of 2009.
“This year the Northern Expedition will be serving both the route from Prince Rupert to Skidegate and the Inside Passage. With the opening of the new dock in Klemtu this year, which was built by the Federal and Provincial Governments, it can now accommodate the Northern Expedition where it couldn't before and that is why we've had to use the Northern Adventure in the past,” explained BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall.
“The Northern Expedition will start on the route on October 1 and will run it until the end of March, then the ship will go down south for its refit. While the Northern Expedition is doing that route, the Northern Adventure will also be having its refit done.”
The Northern Expedition is 150.7 metres compared to the 117 metres of the Northern Adventure, which critics have said wasn't designed for the rough waters of the Hecate Strait during the winter months. However, the Northern Expedition does have fewer staterooms than the Northern Adventure.