Minor Injuries, Damage, In Rough Ferry Sailing

A powerful overnight storm force the Northern Adventure to return to Prince Rupert, midway through its sailing to the Queen Charlottes. B-C Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said the ferry departed Prince Rupert at around 11 oclock last night, and encountered the storm sometime after 3 this morning. She says the captain originally hoped to ride out the storm in Hecate Strait.

"Now while there was a storm predicted, the system came through a lot quicker and a lot stronger than what was originally forecast," said Marshall, "so at about 8:30 this morning, the captain made the decision that it was the safer thing to do to turn the ship around and head back to Prince Rupert."

Marshall says there were a few bumps and bruises suffered by some crewmembers, and some vehicles on the cardeck sustained minor damage.

The Northern Adventure is now scheduled to sail to Skidegate at 11 tonight, subject to weather conditions.

     John Crawford -- Terrace