I arrived back on Haida Gwaii just in time for the Open House of the newest vessel added to the BC Ferries fleet, the Northern Expedition. 
The Northern Expedition, was launched September 25, 2008 at FSG Shipyards in Flensburg, Germany. The new 150 metre ship will accommodate 130 vehicles and 600 passengers.
She is what they call a RORO (roll on/roll off) ferry having both a bow and stern entrance/exit.
Among its many features, the Northern Expedition will offer 55 modern staterooms for customers and an expanded range of food services and other amenities to delight local residents and tourists alike. 
Haida, Tshimsian and Haisla First Nations art is everywhere on the Northern Expedition.
There are some pretty good views also!
Queen of Prince Rupert at dock in Prince Rupert, BC
With the launching of the Northern Expedition and the decomissioning of the Queen of Prince Rupert (1966 - 2009)it is the end of an era for community coastal ferry service. The Queen of Prince Rupert and her sister ship the Queen of the North(lost at sea, 2006) were much anticipated events in the many small communities they serviced year round bringing mail, groceries, freight, family and news from the outside.
Photo of newspaper photo of the Queen of Prince Rupert(101 m./322 ft.) bottom, the Northern Adventure (117 m./380 ft. middle) purchased from Spain after the sinking of the Queen of the North and the Northern Expedition (150.5 m./493 ft.) top, taken at the decomissioning of the Queen of Prince Rupert in April 2009. My how the fleet has grown!
The Queen of the North - lost at sea March 22, 2006
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22 comments:
What happens now for those coastal communities that had that service? I always hate to see the old ways go. Lovely new vessel, but I always wonder how the entrance/exits are kept water-tight while underway! So many questions this morning! Guess I'll just have to visit some day!
what a wonderful world..... :)
Carolyn: That is one wonderful ferry in your area of the world.
I've always wanted to visit the BC coast. That certainly looks like the way to do it in style.
Wow, that's a sharp looking vessel, and downright classy service. I cold just go back and forth for a few days I think!
That was really interesting.
Welcome back to the west coast.
:-)
I've lived on Vancouver Island for many, many years and I still love taking the ferry! Interesting post!
That's an amazing little boat!
love the artwork on that boat..
what a beautiful ship and its amenities are quite impressive!
The new ferry looks like it'll be fun to cruise around on. Interesting history of ferries in the area.
The ship floats, does not go aground and gets you there safely! Looks like a great trip, though it is sad about the small communities. Nice you are safe and sound at the end of the world again. Love and Hugs; Neil and Peggy
That was a nice view when the boat opened up and you drive in.
What an amazing ferry! We just got a new one this year on the Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay called the Island Sky. It was fun to ride on a brand new ferry. I remember the night that the Queen of the North went down. It was a terrible storm even down in Powell River. The float cabin was straining at her cables and it sounded like the roof wanted to take flight. We were awake late and listening to CBC as a diversion from the screaming gusts. That's when we heard the announcement and followed the rescue for several hours. Such a loss! - Margy
I love that 3rd photo. I am with Cedar I could ask all the same questions. Great post.
That Northern Expedition is pretty impressive!
Glad you made it home safely and how cool to coincide with the arrival of the new Ferry. I love taking the ferry when crossing to Vancouver Island and will now be adding some other places onto my travel plans when I'm next in BC.
Very swish new boat. I didn't know about the sinking of the Queen of the North - how terrible.
Your coastal service is a bit like the 'hurtigruten' in Norway - see
http://hurtigruten.co.uk/?country=UK
They're being re-branded as holiday voyages, but they still serve the coastal communities up and down Norway's rocky coastline.
It was a very luxurious ferry!
Gorgeous! I was deathly ill on my first ferry ride (age 10). Perhaps it is time to try again ...
That is a seriously fancy ferry. Wow!
Welcome home!
Wow, amazing ferry and such a beautiful day!Thanks for sharing your experience.
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