SEATTLE (July 10, 2020) –  Due to the ongoing global impact and rapidly changing nature of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Victoria Clipper V will extend the suspension of service between Seattle, WA and Victoria, BC, until April 30, 2021.

Continued extensions of the closed U.S. – Canadian border to non-essential travel along with Canada’s mandatory extended 14-day self-quarantine restriction for all international travelers and overall coronavirus uncertainty eliminated the potential for any summer or fall travel, forcing Clipper to suspend service. Like most seasonal tour operators, the summer period is one that is critical for Clipper’s revenue generation. The loss of any summer operations makes year-round operations for Clipper in 2020 unrealistic.

“We wholeheartedly agree with the steps and health precautions taken by Canadian and U.S. government officials to date to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission through non-essential travel,” said David Gudgel, CEO of Clipper. “Our intent in suspending operations is to hopefully allow ample time to pass so that we may return to service next spring when travel across the border is safe and welcomed once again.”

In accordance with the Collective Agreement between Clipper Navigation, Inc. and Unifor Local 114, Clipper’s Canadian union employees will continue on temporary layoff into the anticipated return to service date of April 30, 2021. Employees will be recalled in accordance with the provision of the Collective Agreement once Clipper’s ferry operations between Seattle and Victoria resume. Clipper’s Seattle-based employees will be furloughed until the company’s return to service with minimal staff working to maintain business continuity.

David Gudgel, Clipper’s CEO, is available for phone interviews.

Keep updated on Clipper’s latest coronavirus updates here:  https://www.clippervacations.com/coronavirus-update/

About Clipper

Clipper, operator of Clipper Vacations, is well known as travel experts for the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Since 1986, Seattle-based Clipper has provided transportation, tours and accommodation packages for over eight million customers. Clipper offers opportunities to experience picturesque and popular destinations such as: Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver, Portland and Vancouver Island. For more information about Clipper, visit www.clippervacations.com.

About FRS (Clipper parent company)

The owner of Clipper, FRS, has more than 150 years of successful history. From a regional passenger ship shipping company, FRS has developed over the past decades into an internationally active group of companies with 59 ships and over 2,000 employees. FRS carries around 7.9 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles per year on its national and international shipping lines. Today, north German-based FRS Group 24 subsidiaries in its portfolio located in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and North America. In addition to numerous international ferry and catamaran lines, FRS is also involved in wind-offshore transport with crew transfer boats and maritime consultancy. https://www.frs.world/