Ferry

From the Owen Sound Transportation Company's website www.ontarioferries.com

Service Notice: April 29 2013 Update

2013 Ferry Service Season Delay - CONFIRMED

Due to continued low water levels on Lake Huron, the Friday, May 3rd scheduled start to the Chi-Cheemaun ferry season has been postponed until at least Friday, May 10th.

Water levels have slowly increased over the last week, but are still below the minimum level required for the ferry to operate safely from the existing dock fenders at Tobermory and South Baymouth.

On May 2, 2013, the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) will proceed with the sold out Annual Spring Repositioning Cruise event. Water levels have risen sufficiently to permit safe docking of the vessel in its light condition with passengers only. Passengers will disembark in Tobermory and travel back to Owen Sound by bus, as advertised.

The ferry docks and fenders are owned and maintained by Transport Canada.

The OSTC is committed to a superior level of customer service and will provide weekly public notification updates regarding the sailing schedule for the MS Chi‐Cheemaun. Travelers looking for more information may call the toll free customer service line at (800) 265‐3163, email info@ontarioferries.com or follow @ontarioferries on Twitter.

The current ferry service descends from a long line of ships that plied the waters between the Tobermory Islands. Sail came first but by the turn of the century steamships ruled and a web of routes stretched across the bay. By 1930 the Owen Sound Transportation Company had begun a regular ferry service between Tobermory and South Baymouth. The company was already operating boats between Owen Sound and Sault Ste. Marie. In the days before roads, Georgian Bay was the region's 'highway', and steamers were the fastest mode of travel.

The first ferry, The Kagawong, could only carry eight cars, but tourists came to take the ferry. In 1945, the Caribou and the Normac were used on the Tobermory South Baymouth route. In 1947, the Norisle replaced the Caribou. By 1963, the Norgoma was moved to the Tobermory-South Baymouth run, with the Normac only used occasionally to aid the Norisle. The Ontario Government took over operation of the ferry service in 1972, and in 1974 the Chi-Cheemaun a faster, larger ferry was put into service. The name Chi-Cheemaun means `Big Canoe' in the Ojibwa language. The Chi-Cheemaun is 105m long, 10m wide, has a crew of 36 and carries 638 passengers. Navigation is aided by radar and a satellite positioning system. This is a far cry from the days when fog bound captains would locate land by the smell of balsam fir and cedar trees.

Spring - May 3 to June 20 2013

DEPART TOBERMORY	ARRIVE SOUTH BAYMOUTH	DEPART SOUTH BAYMOUTH	ARRIVE TOBERMORY
8:50 am daily	10:50 am	11:10 am daily	1:10 pm
1:30 pm daily	3:30 pm	3:50 pm daily	5:50 pm
6:10 pm Fri. only	7:55 pm	8:15 pm Fri. only	10:00 pm

Additional Sailing: Victoria Day Monday, May 20, 2013

DEPART TOBERMORY	ARRIVE SOUTH BAYMOUTH	DEPART SOUTH BAYMOUTH	ARRIVE TOBERMORY
6:10 pm	7:55 pm	8:15 pm	10:00 pm

Summer - June 21 to September 2 2013

DEPART TOBERMORY	ARRIVE SOUTH BAYMOUTH	DEPART SOUTH BAYMOUTH	ARRIVE TOBERMORY
7:00 am	8:45 am	9:10 am	10:55 am
11:20 am	1:05 pm	1:30 pm	3:15 pm
3:40 pm	5:25 pm	5:50 pm	7:35 pm
8:00 pm	9:45 pm	10:00 pm	11:45 pm

Fall - September 3 to October 2013

DEPART TOBERMORY	ARRIVE SOUTH BAYMOUTH	DEPART SOUTH BAYMOUTH	ARRIVE TOBERMORY
8:50 am daily	10:50 am	11:10 am daily	1:10 pm
1:30 pm daily	3:30 pm	3:50 pm daily	5:50 pm
6:10 pm Fri. only	7:55 pm	8:15 pm Fri. only	10:00 pm

Additional Sailing: Thanksgiving Monday, October 14, 2013

DEPART TOBERMORY	ARRIVE SOUTH BAYMOUTH	DEPART SOUTH BAYMOUTH	ARRIVE TOBERMORY
6:10 pm	7:55 pm	8:15 pm	10:00 pm

Crossing time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Note: this information is provided as an additional service only - more information including prices can be found at http://ontarioferries.com/chi/english/schedule_fares.html

All schedules subject to change without notice. CALL FOR INFORMATION

Owen Sound Transportation Company              (519) 376-6601
Tobermory Terminal       (519) 596-2510
South Baymouth Terminal           (705) 859-3161

Reservations: Are available and recommended on all sailings for all vehicle types but are not mandatory. Reservations can be made on all sailings at NO ADDITIONAL COST.

Reservations will guarantee you a spot on the ferry as long as you arrive at least 1 HOUR before sailing time. If you do not have a reservation, space permitting, you may still get on the ferry, however a spot is not guaranteed.

Check-In: Persons holding reservations must check in at least ONE HOUR
prior to sailing time, or space will not be held!

Cancellations: Reservations must be cancelled at least 24 hours prior to sailing time or charges will apply. No-shows (individuals who make a reservation and do not show up and do not cancel their reservation) will be charged the full vehicle fare.

Buses: Buses must make advanced reservations!

Payment: A valid credit card number (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) must be given to guarantee all reservations.

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED - BOOK EARLY!

Telephone: 1.800.265.3163 (French available from April to October)

Fax: 1.519.371.2354

Email: info@ontarioferries.com

Hours of Operation:

Jan 2 - May 2:	Mon-Fri - 8:30am - 4:30pm
May 3 - Jun 20:	Mon-Thurs - 8:00am - 4:30pm Fri - 8:00am -6:00pm Sat-Sun - 8:00am - 5:00pm
Jun 21 - Sept 2:	6:00am - 10:00pm Daily
Sept 3 - Oct 20:	Mon-Thurs - 8:00am - 4:30 pm Fri - 8:00am - 6:00pm Sat-Sun - 8:00am - 5:00pm
Oct 21 - Dec 23:	Mon-Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm

http://ontarioferries.com/chi/english/index.html