Terms and Conditions
Expected Behaviours
OSTC is committed to providing a high degree of service to the public, and our staff are trained with the safety and well-being of passengers in mind. Employees and other passengers are to be treated with respect. Abusive language and behaviour to persons or property will not be tolerated, and OSTC reserves the right to deny passage to any traveller who demonstrates threatening or abusive behaviour. If inappropriate behaviour persists, authorities will be called.
Passenger
OSTC encourages feedback from passengers as part of our commitment to continuous improvement. All passengers automatically receive an electronic survey form via SMS, and an online feedback form is available on our website. You can also contact us by emailing info@ontarioferries.com.
General Travel Conditions
The vessel may experience some adverse movement while underway. For your safety, please follow instructions given by crew members, pay attention to onboard safety announcements and take care while walking around the vessel. Passengers travel at their own risk.
Reservations
The ferry has limited vehicle space and reservations are recommended for both vehicles and walk-on passengers. Full fare is charged at the time of reservation and a confirmation email will be sent after your reservation is complete. Please ensure that the details of your reservation are accurate to avoid further penalties. When entering vehicle dimensions, please include any racks or attachments. If your vehicle is larger than originally booked, you may be placed in standby upon check-in. Travellers who arrive without a reservation will be asked to wait in standby and passage will not be guaranteed.
All terms and conditions are considered accepted 24 hours after making your reservation. If the reservation is made within 48 hours (two days) of a sailing, all terms and conditions are considered accepted one (1) hour after completion of a reservation. Changes to reservations or cancellations can be made by calling Reservations at 1-800-265-3163 or emailing us at info@ontarioferries.com.
Vehicle loads outside our normal load distribution could result in unintentional overbooking. Should this occur, affected passengers will be refunded the full fare.
Passengers are responsible for checking their reservation confirmations for accuracy. OSTC is not responsible for any costs or penalties related to accommodations, other travel, or other services cancelled or lost because of a sailing cancellation, delay or error in booking.
Arrivals and Check-In
Vehicle Reservations – Vehicle reservations must arrive and be in the processing lineup a minimum of one (1) hour prior to sailing.
Vehicle dimensions are verified upon check-in by terminal staff. They may place coloured tags on your windshield; please do not remove them for the duration of the voyage.
Vehicles that are damaged or displaying in-vehicle system warnings may be declined carriage.
Late Arrivals – Passengers are considered late if they arrive less than one (1) hour before the scheduled sailing time. Late passengers forfeit their reserved spaces and will be placed in standby if space is available. No refunds will be issued if you arrive after the ferry has departed.
Walk-on Passengers– All walk-on passengers, including those with reservations and those purchasing a ticket in person, are asked to arrive at the terminal building a minimum of one (1) hour prior to their sailing time to check-in and retrieve their boarding passes before going to the ship. Walk-on boarding begins approximately 30 minutes prior to departure.
Parking
Chi-Cheemaun Ferry Parking Lot Fees 2024
Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) has implemented daily parking fees, 7 days a week, at the Tobermory and South Baymouth ferry terminal parking lots during the 2024 sailing season, effective Friday, May 3, 2024. Parking fees are in effect until Sunday, October 20, 2024. Ferry parking lots are restricted to ferry users only, and available on a first come, first served basis, as space permits. Parking is used at your own risk.
Passengers are required to purchase their parking pass from the terminal office upon arrival. Parking passes must be displayed clearly on the vehicle dashboard. Vehicles without valid parking passes will be towed or removed at the sole risk and cost of the owner or operator of the vehicle.
2024 Parking Fees:
$10/day
$70/week
Booking Amendments
Adjustments to booked vehicle size can be made up to four (4) hours ahead of the scheduled departure time by calling Reservations at 1-800-265-3163. Changes will be accommodated as space onboard permits.
Cancellations
For the Chi-Cheemaun Only: A full refund will be issued if a reservation is cancelled prior to 48 hours of sailing. Cancellations within 24-48 hours of the sailing time will incur a 50% cancellation fee. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made within 24 hours of the sailing time. Cancellation requests sent by email will be processed as of date/time received.
For Cancellations for Pelee Island Ferries please visit:
https://www.ontarioferries.com/pelee-island-ferries/terms-conditions/
Sailing Cancellations
OSTC will cancel sailing if there is a risk to passenger, crew or vessel safety because of weather, mechanical concerns or a public emergency. In the event of a sailing cancellation, all paid passengers will be eligible for a refund for the affected portion of their reservation. Refunds will be automatically applied by the reservations team. If you are booked for a round-trip and the first crossing is cancelled, please contact us if you would like to cancel the return trip. OSTC is unable to give priority status for subsequent sailings to passengers affected by a cancelled sailing. Passengers who choose to wait for the next departure will be placed in standby.
OSTC advises passengers as far in advance as possible if there is a cancellation. The e-mail and mobile number provided at booking will be used to communicate cancellations or delays. Notifications are also posted to Twitter and Facebook. Passengers are also encouraged to opt-in to SMS text notifications for updates on sailing cancellations, delays and other events. Text “OPT IN” to 613-703-9026 to subscribe. Standard messaging rates may apply.
OSTC is not responsible for any costs or penalties related to accommodations, other travel, or other services cancelled or lost because of a sailing cancellation or delay. For passengers booking round trips or same day return travel, each leg of the voyage is treated as one-way with no implied return guarantee in event of a cancellation.
Standby
Standby travel is available on a first come, first served basis. Travel is not guaranteed in standby. Vehicles in standby are kept in the order in which they arrive; however, depending on space availability, vehicles of a certain size may be loaded ahead of other vehicles. We will take vehicles and passengers on standby until sailing time or until the vessel is full.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles must be tied down on the vehicle deck. OSTC offers tie-downs to secure motorcycles, but passengers are encouraged to bring their own equipment. OSTC is not responsible for damage to motorcycles during transit as stated in the terms and conditions related to vehicle damage.
Accessibility
OSTC provides a variety of services for persons with disabilities to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Please call ahead to advise of specific needs, so we can assist to the highest level of customer service. Wheelchair and elevator services are available; please advise at booking if this service is needed so we can assist you.
Elevator and wheelchair access to the ship is available via the external passenger ramps in Tobermory and South Baymouth. Parking near the shipboard elevators is limited so passengers with accessibility needs are asked to self-identify with an agent upon booking and at check-in.
On all our vessels, support persons who travel with adults or children with accessibility needs travel free of charge. Verification will be required at check-in.
Our full accessibility policy can be found here.
Pets and Service Animals
Pets are allowed onboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun in the aft lounge and the outside decks; please ask a crew member for directions.
Pets must be on leashes or in TSA-approved pet carriers and accompanied by their owners in pet designated areas.
Owners are responsible for their pets’ behaviour and liability is assumed by the owner should the animal injure another passenger or animal.
We do not recommend leaving your pet in your vehicle, as owners cannot return to the car deck to check on them. Car deck temperatures can get extreme in warmer conditions and put your pet at risk. In the event of an emergency evacuation, uncrated pets will not be permitted down the emergency slide.
Pet relief areas are available at the terminals. Pets are not permitted in the terminal buildings.
Exceptions:
Guide dogs for people who are visually impaired and certified service dogs for those with other disabilities are permitted in all areas of the ship and terminal. Passengers who require service animals may be asked to provide official documentation, and service animals must be clearly identified with their vest. Support animals are considered pets, for the purpose of designated areas.
Commercial Trucks
Trucks that require overweight highway permits cannot board the
Chi-Cheemaun. Trucks with wide load permits are subject to restrictions and
additional fees.
Buses and Motorcoaches
Buses and motorcoaches must book in advance. Please call 1-800-265-3163 or email info@ontarioferries.com to reserve. Reservations must be paid at time of booking or reserved on an approved company account. Buses must arrive at least one (1) hour prior to sailing and all passengers are required to use the outside passenger ramp to board the ship. Passengers will not be permitted to board the ship while on the bus. Elevator access is available at the external passenger ramp.
Buses that use access ramps must notify our reservations team as additional space may be required. Fees may apply.
Bus groups should ensure their passengers are aware of the terms and conditions.
Group Rates
Groups of 10 or more paying passengers in a single vehicle or travelling as walk-on passengers in a single reservation are eligible for a 10% discount. The discount does not apply to vehicles.
Unaccompanied Minors
Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a supervising person (12 years of age or older). Unaccompanied minors under the age of 12 will not be permitted boarding under any circumstance.
Smoking
All OSTC properties, vessels and terminals are smoke and vape free.
Security
Passengers are asked to adhere to all instructions regarding safety and security communicated by the crew. All passengers must vacate the vehicle deck during passage. Vehicles are loaded and unloaded by the owners and at the owner’s risk. OSTC assumes no responsibility for any damage to vehicles, motorcycles or bicycles, or loss of vehicle contents while onboard ship or on OSTC property. OSTC’s full terms and conditions related passenger vehicle liabilities can be found here.
Light electric vehicles, including e-bikes and recreational scooters, are not permitted on the passenger decks and must remain on the car deck. No electric vehicle charging is permitted onboard the vessels or in our marshalling yards. Mobility scooters are permitted in all areas.
Luggage
Please declare at time of reservation if you require space for or assistance with your carry-on luggage. Please advise our reservations team of any special requirements. Luggage storage is in the mid-ship walk-on passenger area. The OSTC is not responsible for loss of, or damage to, baggage or contents.
Dangerous Goods
Learn more here: Carriage of Dangerous Goods – Chi-Cheemaun
Form to fill out: Dangerous Goods Shipping Document
Loyalty Stamp Card
OSTC offers a Loyalty Stamp Card for passengers who frequently sail onboard the Chi-Cheemaun. The card itself is free; please ask for one at the terminal. Passengers earn one (1) stamp for each vehicle crossing. After nine (9) crossings, the tenth is free for one (1) vehicle and one (1) passenger.
Loyalty Stamp Cards and accumulated stamps are valid for one season only and cannot be carried forward from year to year. Lost cards with accumulated stamps cannot be replaced.
Card stamps must be requested at check-in and are the responsibility of the traveller. No retroactive stamps shall be provided.
Drones
Drones are not allowed on OSTC property.
Links
Jump to
- Expected Behaviors
- Passenger
- General Travel Conditions
- Reservations
- Arrivals and Check-In
- Booking Amendments
- Cancellations
- Sailing Cancellations
- Standby
- Motorcycles
- Accessibility
- Pets and Service Animals
- Commercial Trucks
- Buses and Motorcoaches
- Group Rates
- Unaccompanied Minors
- Smoking
- Security
- Luggage
- Dangerous Goods
- Loyalty Stamp Program
- Drones
- Links