Northern B.C. ferry elevators fixed, but accessibility concerns remain for disabled riders

B.C. Ferries says the elevators on its two main ferries connecting Skidegate, Haida Gwaii to Prince Rupert, B.C., are back in service.

However, some passengers say they're wary of relying on the ships' elevators after years of disruptions and disrepair.

On the Northern Expedition, the vessel currently in use on the route, both elevators are now in service after months of intermittent outages. B.C. Ferries said one of its elevators had been broken for two months but returned to service last week.

But that's cold comfort for Tauren Collinson, a resident of Skidegate, who has lived with a spinal cord injury for about eight years. 

“This issue has been ongoing for the entirety of my injury,” he said.

“I think my first sailing [after my injury] was seven years ago. It’s never really been a smooth experience.”

The ferry route serves as critical transportation for elders and disabled people to get to medical appointments off the island. 

“Patients are generally given appointments in Prince Rupert or Terrace, rather than using aircraft and being flown down to Vancouver,” said North Coast Regional District Area E Director Evan Putterill. 

“So, they are dependent on that ferry system for medical travel.” 

The route's other vessel, the Northern Adventure, is currently in refit, and B.C. Ferries said its only elevator is "operating reliably ... with only short term interruptions.” The elevator had been out of service between February and May of 2025, and B.C. Ferries added that its stair lift was also damaged during that time.

Elevator woes and missed appointments

Because of past experiences on the crossing, Collinson has opted to sometimes book medical appointments in Vancouver so that he can fly to his appointment, rather than take the ferry to Prince Rupert or Terrace.

He said the vessels are still not completely accessible — pointing to high lips at the edge of elevators, and the fact that his wheelchair is sometimes too heavy for the stairlifts. 

“The real issue, I guess, is just the infrastructure on the boat,” said Collinson. 

“I know someone who's broken a leg trying to get into the bathroom and what they call the accessible suites. I feel like they're just not doing enough.”

That man is Lloyd Earl Moody, a resident of Skidegate and a quadriplegic who uses a wheelchair.

Moody said he has missed medical appointments due to concerns about accessibility on the boats. 

“The elevator is so small, and it’s so hard to get in there. And they are not always working.”

“I was supposed to go for a colonoscopy, but I put it on hold because I’m scared to go on the one ferry that I broke my leg on, and this other one — the elevator breaking down too.” 

Like Collinson, Moody opts to make extra plans to fly to Vancouver instead of risking taking the ferry.

But he regrets that the ferry doesn't feel like a good option.

“[Going to Prince Rupert] I could be comfy, I could take my girlfriend. You could take your vehicle on the ferry, and we could take all our medical supplies with me, like my bath bench.” 

Reducing further disruptions

In a statement, B.C. Ferries said several measures have been put in place on the Northern Adventure, including a portable stair climber.

A new inclined wheelchair lift will be implemented when the vessel returns from refit next month, it added. Additional elevator upgrades and critical spare parts have also been procured. 

For the Northern Expedition, the corporation said the two elevators provide built in redundancy when one is unavailable, and the vessel also has a stair climber.

“We understand the community concern. These are essential vessels serving northern and remote communities, and accessibility is not optional,” the statement reads.

“Our focus is on fixing issues promptly, adding backup where possible, and building accessibility more deliberately into future maintenance and upgrade decisions.”