Residents travelling between Haida Gwaii and the North Coast can expect updated sailing times this summer, as BC Ferries adjusts its Route 10 schedule to reflect ongoing marine safety measures.
The changes, set to take effect June 1, come after months of delays tied to reduced vessel speeds in areas with high marine mammal activity.
According to BC Ferries, the Northern Expedition route has been operating at slower speeds since a whale strike incident in September 2025. The vessel now follows the North Coast Waterway Management Guidelines, which call for speed reductions and enhanced monitoring in sensitive areas, including Wright Sound.
Those changes have had a noticeable impact on reliability. From June to September 2025, sailings arrived in Prince Rupert on time only about 30 per cent of the time, prompting the company to revise its published schedule to better reflect actual travel conditions.
The updated schedule will adjust both arrival and departure times at Prince Rupert, Port Hardy, and mid-coast stops. BC Ferries says the goal is to provide more accurate trip planning while continuing to prioritize marine mammal protection.
The corporation says it will maintain additional safety practices beyond designated zones when whales are present, including further speed reductions where appropriate.
BC Ferries noted the changes were also informed by feedback from First Nations and are part of a broader effort to balance reliable service with safe operations in coastal waters.
For Haida Gwaii travellers, the revised schedule may mean longer but more predictable travel times during the busy summer season.
