Northern Sea Wolf sails towards final trials before entering into service on the Port Hardy to Bella Coola route

Northern Sea Wolf sails towards final trials before entering into service on the Port Hardy to Bella Coola route
CHEK

BC Ferries’ Northern Sea Wolf spotted off Quadra Island on Friday. Photo: Allan Gray

After a number of delays, the BC Ferries’ Northern Sea Wolf, set to serve the Port Hardy to Bella Coola route, begins dock trials this weekend.

CHEK News viewer Allan Gray spotted the 246-foot ferry as it sailed north past Quadra Island on Friday.

Built in 2000, the vessel was bought in Greece in 2017 after the province announced it was reviving the route that had been cancelled in 2013

It can hold up 35 vehicles and 150 passengers and crew.

The Northern Sea Wolf was expected to start serving the route in the summer of 2018, but extensive and expensive upgrades took longer than anticipated.

BC Ferries says crews at its refit facility in Richmond have been working hard on upgrading the vessel and completing systems testing and crew training.

“Sea trials were completed on the south coast of BC this spring and following dock trials on the Central Coast, we will be ready to welcome you on board.”

The dates and times for the dock trials are:

  • Sunday, May 5: Bella Coola; 10:00 am to 11:00 am
  • Sunday, May 5: Ocean Falls; 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
  • Monday, May 6: Shearwater; 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • Tuesday, May 7: Bella Bella; 10:00 am to 11:00 am
  • Thursday, May 9: Port Hardy; 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

The Northern Sea Wolf is scheduled to go into service on June 19th and run through October 10th.

The Northern Adventure will serve the Prince Rupert – Haida Gwaii route in the summer.

 

 

 

Ben O'HaraBen O'Hara

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