Prince Rupert Ferry Service Disruption
Seattle Victoria Ferry Luggage Rules
Alaska ferry Cancellation
An ongoing mechanical issue with the M/V LeConte has resulted in the cancellation of the following ferry sailings:
- the January 31 ferry sailing to Sitka
- the Feb 01 ferry sailing from Angoon and Tenakee Springs.
Alaska Modifies Ferry Sailings
The ferry schedule for January 24 thru January 27 has been modified.
Please check the website for updated information.
Alask Ferry Storm Damage
The ferry scheduled to sail from Bellingham to Alaska on Friday, January 26th has been cancelled as ship repairs resulting from the recent Alaska storms are not yet completed.
Ferry service from Bellingham is expected to resume next week - February 2nd, 2018.
Alaska Ferry Sailing Cancelled
50-knot storm force winds and predicted high seas for the Northern Lynn Canal have caused Alaska to cancel the Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Juneau-Haines-Juneau sailings on the MV LeConte.
The MV LeConte will continue regularly scheduled ferry service with her Juneau to Kake sailing, which is scheduled to depart Juneau on January 9, 2018 at 11:45pm.
Alaska Ferry MV Taku Sold
The MV Taku - a 55 year old 352' long ferry belonging to the State of Alaska has been sold to Dubai based Jabar Al Lawz Trading.
With only a balance of $171,000 owing on the sale & the remaining paperwork to be signed, the MV Taku has completed her ferry service in Alaska and now both residents and visitors can only remember with fondness, the grand old lady who served the Ketchikan - Skagway ferry route for so many years.
The retired ferry will soon head to Seattle, then across the Pacific to the Philippines and then on to her final destination.
Whether she will be scrapped or refitted or perhaps even returned to service as a ferry, is still undecided - but either way, we wish her good luck and a Bon Voyage.
BC Ferry Sold
Sold to the highest bidder, the BC ferry Queen of Burnaby is leaving BC.
Bragging rights to owning that 400+' vessel now belong a new owner who paid $653k (incl taxes).
Six Hundred & fifty-three thousand is less, but much roomer, than the cost of a small Vancouver condo - but like everything else in BC, even an old ferry has increased in value!
The BC Ferries Corp realized an extra couple of hundred thousand from a few years ago when the Queen of Burnaby was 1st put on the market and a $400,000k bid was turned down by BC Ferries.
Happy Sailing or, whatever.
Direct Port Hardy -Bella Coola Ferry Service Returns
BC Ferries new ferry the Northern Sea Wolf will restore direct summer service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola and will provide a weekly service between Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Shearwater and Ocean Falls.
The name Sea Wolf was chosen because First Nations legends say the sea wolf, a manifestation of the orca, symbolizes family, loyalty and protection of those travelling in its waters.
A Ferry For $6,000.00 ?
High School reunion coming up? Trying to impress future in-laws?
Depending on your degree of believability this might just be an opportunity to brag about ownership of a super yacht.
After all, the Queen of Burnaby is in fact 426 feet -and that ranks right up with Paul Allen's 414 foot Octopuss. And, its much longer longer than Oprah's MV HARPO.
Currently the Queen of Burnaby is not quite as pretty as either of those - nor does she have the same amenities - but we're talking bragging rights not ferry service, correct?
There are however a few important issues with the retired BC Ferry, Queen of Burnaby.
1) The vessel had experienced periodic leakage of hydraulic oil from controllable pitch propeller hub.
2) she has hazardous materials from new build
3) there are operations which must be managed in accordance with environmental regulations
4) there is an asbestos issue
5) there are also known issues with diesel fuel, petroleum based lubricants, wiring and insulation products, paints, refrigerants, plus other chemical issues
5) the ships sailing license had also expired
However, if you had a place to dock the Queen and, were willing to take on the responsibility of owing an aging vessel with many, many, many issues, the Queen of Burnaby could be yours. And how many people own a 426 foot vessel anyway?
BC Ferries has only received a bid of 5,720 CAD on an ask of 6,000 - so the Queen Of Burnaby is still up for grabs!
BC Ferries Says: Butt Out
Commencing 22 January 2018, BC Ferries will implement its No Smoking Ban. The ban applies to both the inside and outside decks of any BC Ferry Vessel.
The new policy supports the health and wellness of customers and employees by reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and it aligns with other transportation services to ensure everyone BC Ferries can breathe smoke-free air.
The new smoke-free policy applies to tobacco and any other substance including e-cigarettes, and is expected to reduce the number of complaints BC Ferries receives from customers related to second-hand smoke.
Alaska Ferry Cancellation: Dec 18-19
The Dec 18-19th sailings for the MV Aurora is cancelled due to forecasted extreme winds and rough seas.
Alaska Marine notes the ferry (MV Aurora) will have to transit the Gulf before continuing on to service in Prince William Sound.
Avoid Alaska Ferry Travel Disappointment
Every year travel disappointment results from having waited too long before booking the ferry to Alaska.
Because there are so few ferry sailings from Bellingham to Whittier ( Whittier is the ferry port closest to Anchorage and the only port that bypasses travel through Canada), space will be sold out within the next few weeks.
To enquire about the schedules, fares etc for the ferries to from and throughout Alaska call toll free 1-800-686-0446.
It costs nothing to build a file which would ensure that you are contacted the moment your requested space is available.
Alaska Ferry Cancelled Due to Weather
The forecasted rough wind and seas in the Gulf of Alaska, has resulted in sailings for MV Aurora being cancelled December 11-13, 2017.
Alaska Marine will continue to monitor the weather and anticipates providing service updates on Monday, December 11th.
Will Alaska Marine Raise Summer 2018 Fares ?
Chatter re the Alaska Marine Highway System (a ferry system which has suffered from aging vessels and a shortage of operational monies)- is calling for both an increase in the ferry fares and the replacement of some ferries with smaller, more efficient vessels.
A recommendation that the ferry system be run by an independent public corporation has once again been forwarded.
The suggestion here being that an independent public corporation would provide greater efficiencies across the board.
In part, the efficiencies would result from the ability of visitors to Alaska to consider and make reservations well in advance of travel because the operating budgets for the ferries would be set farther in advance - much the same as is done by the competitive cruise ship market.
Too, as an independent corporation, the system would likely look at operating in a manner similar to most other ferry companies who currently encourage strong travel industry partnerships to help relieve the otherwise internal costs of promotion and marketing.
Congratulations BC Ferries!
Listening to customers and adjusting fares to maximize ferry loads, BC Ferries saw the highest passenger traffic levels that the company has experienced in over 20 years during the second quarter .
As a way to improve affordability for travellers, BC Ferries provided a range of deeply discounted fares for travel on off-peak sailings.
This move not only increased ferry traffic, but opened up availability on the popular sailings.
Ferry Riding Seniors Rejoice !
BC Ferry Seniors Days
BC Seniors will once again be able to ride BC Ferries free of charge during the week as the NDP makes good on an election promise.
The Ministry of Transportation says it’s planning to claw back the fares by April 2018 for seniors travelling Monday to Thursday.
In keeping an election promise te NDP has committed to reduce rates on the smaller routes by 15 per cent for everyone else.
Ferry Sailings for Cordova, Whittier, Valdez Revised
High Winds Result in Ferry Cancellations
The M/V Fairweather sailing for Thursday 26 October 2017, is canceled due to expected high winds and seas.
A stop in Valdez has been added to the vessel's 27 October 2017 sailing schedule.
The Fairweathers re-scheduled sailings for 27 October 2017 follow:
Depart Whittier, 12:15pm - Arrive Valdez, 3:00pm
Depart Valdez at 3:30pm - Arrive Cordova, 6:15pm
Rules for Lower Car Deck Ferry Passengers
Vehicle Passengers On The Lower Vehicle Decks
As of 12 October 2017, passengers travelling on BC Ferries will no longer be able to remain in their vehicles if located on the lower ferry decks.
Passengers on the upper vehicle decks will be encouraged to move to the passengers lounges but ultimately it will be the passengers decision.
Vehicle passengers with ferry reservations will automatically be loaded on the upper decks and BC Ferries will try, but can not guarantee to accommodate the requests of those vehicle passengers travelling without reservations.