BC Ferries says the Northern Sea Wolf has wrapped up its first season of direct service between Bella Coola and Port Hardy.
The vessel travelled a total of 14,286 nautical miles and made 130 trips between the two communities from June 3 to Oct. 10. More than 5,750 passengers and 2,265 made the 10-hour journey.
The crew also helped to rescue survivors of a floatplane crash on Addenbroke Island on July 26. The captain directed the vessel to the co-ordinates provided and began searching for the downed plane. As the first responder on scene, vessel also put out a call for any medical professionals on board. Two doctors who were passengers volunteered to help.
One of the Northern Sea Wolf’s deckhands, who is also an Occupational First Aid Attendant, and the two doctors were picked up by a Coast Guard helicopter and transported to the plane crash site in a dense forest.
After more help arrived, the three returned to the Northern Sea Wolf nearly four hours later.
Four people, including the pilot, died in the crash. Five others were injured but survived.
The Northern Sea Wolf will continue to provide connector service from Bella Bella to Shearwater, Ocean Falls and Bella Coola for the fall, winter and spring. Non-stop service from Port Hardy to Bella Coola will begin again on June 3, 2020.
“The Northern Sea Wolf provided the Bella Coola and Port Hardy communities with safe, reliable and comfortable service this summer, helping to drive tourism to the region,”
Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President and CEO said in a statement. “We look forward to the vessel continuing to provide winter service to the Mid-Coast communities and another popular season of direct service next summer.”
CHEK News
