MS Chi-Cheemaun: 1.800.265.3163 | Pelee Island Ferries: 1.800.661.2220

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

Passenger Code of Conduct

Pelee Island Transportation Services (PITS) employees and fellow travelers are to be treated with respect. There are no exceptions. Abusive language or behaviour to persons or property will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to shouting, swearing, threats or acts of violence and discrimination against PITS staff or other passengers. Passage will be denied, and no refund will be issued.  Intoxicated drivers will be refused passage and authorities will be notified.  If any of the above behaviour persists, authorities will be called, and ferry privileges may be suspended.  Please see our Passenger Code Of Conduct  for full details.

Reservations

Reservations are recommended for both vehicles, and walk-on passengers.  The ferries have limited vehicle space, and capacity is consistently filled with reserved vehicles.  Stand-by is not recommended.  Full fare is charged at the time of reservation.  A confirmation email will be sent when your reservation is completed.  Please check the details in the email for accuracy to avoid further penalties.  All terms and conditions are considered accepted 24 hours after you make your reservation.  If your reservation is made within the 120 hour (5 days) of sailing, terms and conditions are considered accepted by end of business day of the day the reservation is made.  Non-cancellation of the reservation constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions.  Reservation amendments or cancellations can be made by calling our reservation team at 1-800-661-2220 or by emailing us at pitsreservations@ontarioferries.com.

Method of Payment

PITS is completely cashless.  Reservations made via phone, or our website can be made using Visa, MasterCard or American Express. At the terminals and aboard PITS vessels, passengers may use the above credit cards, a debit card, as well as Apple and Google Pay. 

Standby

Stand-by travel is not recommended.  We offer limited standby travel on a “first come, first served” basis.  Standby vehicles are kept in the order in which they arrive, however, depending on space availability, some sizes of vehicles may be boarded ahead of other vehicles.  Vehicles and passengers on standby will be processed until sailing time or until the vessel is full.

Arrivals and Check-In:

Vehicle Reservations:

Vehicle reservations must arrive and be in the processing lineup at least one (1) hour prior to sailing. Your vehicle dimensions and passenger count must accurately reflect your reservation, or you risk having your reservation voided.

Walk-on Reservations:

We recommend that you arrive at least one (1) hour prior to departure. Walk-on passengers must check-in and retrieve their boarding passes from the terminal building prior to going to the ship for ALL sailings. PITS does not sell round trip passages so passengers must check in and retrieve boarding passes for your return sailing.  Onsite parking is available at Kingsville and Leamington, as space permits. Parking fees apply and are paid at the terminal upon check-in. You can board the vessel approximately 30 mins prior to departure. 

Late Arrivals

You are considered late if you arrive less than one (1) hour before the sailing time. Late arrivals risk forfeiting their reservation and will be placed on standby if space is available. No refunds will be issued if you are late and do not get on the ferry. If you are late and do not get on the ferry, you can request standby for the next sailing on the same day. No reservations can be transferred to a different date; all cancellation rules apply.  

Parking

Onsite parking is available at our Kingsville and Leamington locations, as space permits. Parking fees are to be paid at the terminal upon check-in, and parking pass displayed in the vehicle. Parking lots are use at your own risk.  

If a vehicle is parked in a public lot on a terminal for which parking fees are in effect and there is no evidence that the parking fee has been paid, PITS, at the sole risk and cost of the owner or operator of the vehicle, may arrange for towing or removal of the vehicle from the terminal parking lot. 

Booking Amendments

Vehicles are charged as booked.  Please review reservation email for accuracy. If a vehicle requires more vehicle deck space than originally booked, it is considered under-declared; the reservation becomes void, and no refund is issued. Under-declared vehicles will be directed to the stand-by lane.  If space permits for passage, vehicle operators will be required to pay an amendment fee, plus the cost of additional space. If a vehicle needs less space than booked, it is considered over-declared. The customer will not be refunded the difference. The same principle applies to the number of passengers. 

Cancellations

Customer Cancellations – A full refund is applied to every reservation that is cancelled prior to a minimum of 120 hours (5 days) prior to sailing.  Reservations made less than 5 days from sailing have until the end of the day to cancel on the day that the reservation was made.  

Ferry Cancellations

Pelee Island Transportation Service (PITS) will cancel sailings if the safety of our passengers and the vessel, are negatively impacted by weather, mechanical concerns, or a public emergency. Customers should expect the following: If for any reason the ferry is cancelled, all paid customers will be eligible for refund of their unused travel fare for this reservation. Refunds are for PITS ferry passage only.  PITS is not responsible for costs or penalties related to accommodations, other than travel, or other services cancelled or lost as a result.  For passengers booking round trip or same day return travel, each leg of the voyage is treated as one-way with no implied return guaranteed in the event of a cancellation. PITS advises customers as far in advance as possible if there is a cancellation. Having a valid e-mail and mobile number on file will ensure communications regarding impacted sailings will be received.  Cancellation notifications are also posted on Facebook and X (formally known as Twitter). Stay up to date and receive immediate notice of ferry updates on cancellations and travel advisories by texting OPT IN to 613-651-1749.

Motorcycles

We have a small supply of tie-downs to secure motorcycles to the vehicle deck. Bringing personal tiedowns is encouraged. Reservations are recommended.

Electric Vehicles (EV)

Electric and Hybrid Cars/SUVs and Trucks: 

PITS welcomes and is appreciative to EV drivers’ contribution to reducing greenhouse emissions.  However, with the inherent dangers associated with an EV fire aboard any of our vessels the following precautions have been put in place.  Full Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Vehicles will not be permitted to board our ferries if there are signs of collision to the vehicle or it is displaying any battery alarms on its control panel.  At no time on PITS property or vessels will charging of EV vehicles be permitted.  EVs will need to display the green tag provided at check-in so that crew can easily identify your vehicle for enhanced fire prevention.

Electric Bikes (E-Bikes):

Passengers travelling with an E-Bike will be asked to tag their bike, completely power the bike off and disconnect the battery for the duration of the voyage on our ferries.  At no time will charging of E-Bikes be permitted on PITS vessels.

Buses and Motorcoaches

Buses and motorcoaches must book in advance. Please call 1-800-661-2220 or email pitsreservations@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.

Group Rates

Groups of 10+ paying passengers in a single vehicle or groups of 10+ travelling as walk on paying passengers in a single reservation are eligible for a 10% discount. Discount on the vehicle is not available, discount is for persons only.

Accessibility

PITS makes every attempt to make ferry travel as accessible as possible.  We want to enhance accessibility for customers with disabilities because dignified and safe ferry travel are important for all passengers.

Elevator and wheelchair access to the PI2 is available via the vehicle deck. Passengers with accessibility needs are asked to self-identify with an agent upon booking, and again, at check-in, if there are specific supports required.   Manual wheelchairs are available at all Terminals and aboard all vessels. Please ask staff for assistance.  The Pelee Islander has limited accessibility.  For further information please call 1-800-661-2220.

People with Disabilities:

On all our watercrafts, adults or children with accessibility needs who require the assistance of a support person will be charged the full fare, however, their support person fare is free.   

You will need to travel with a support person if you declare yourself not self-reliant and are severely physically or mentally disabled and unable to comprehend the safety instructions, need assistance in the evacuation of the vessel in case of an emergency, or you require special attention or services beyond those offered regularly to other customers with disabilities.

PITS reserves the right to validate the above conditions in order to determine whether you need to travel with a support person.

Please review our accessibility document online, https://www.ontarioferries.com/accessibility/

Please call ahead to advise of specific needs, so we can assist to the highest level of customer service.

Pets and Service Animals:

CDC Rules & Regulations: Bringing a Dog Into the United States

Starting August 1, 2024,  CDC rules will apply to dogs entering the United States.

On July 22nd, 2024, the CDC revised and removed many conditions regarding bringing dogs into the U.S.A.

The list of requirements stands as follows:

  • Be at least six months of age
  • Be microchipped
  • Appear healthy upon arrival

Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt (this form is completed by the pet owner and must be submitted through the CDC website). This form is good for 6 months from the date of issue, and for multiple entries, so long as the dog has not visited a high-risk rabies country since it was completed. This applies only to dogs who have been in Canada (or another rabies-free/low risk rabies country) for the last 6 months.

Valid Rabies vaccination certificate is still required for most US States as well as to return to Canada.

For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/

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All responsibility for animal behaviour is the responsibility of the owner, and liability is assumed by the owner should the animal injure another passenger or animal.

Support animals are considered pets for the purpose of designated areas.

Pets may remain inside the vehicle during transit or the outside decks provided they are leashed and under the control of their owner.  Pets are welcome on all outside decks on both the Pelee Islander and the Pelee Islander II. The Pelee Islander II has a designated area for pets located on the top deck.  If you choose to leave your pet in your vehicle, be advised that no one is allowed on the vehicle deck when the ship is sailing, and your pet will be unattended for approximately 2 hours.  Pets are permitted in indoor lounges, not the cafeteria, if they remain in a TSA-approved carrier or crate for the entire duration of the sailing.

Terminals: Pets that are leashed and under control of their owner are permitted in the terminals for short periods.

Emergency Situations:  In the unlikely event that the ship needs to be evacuated no animals of any kind will be permitted down the evacuation slide or in life rafts.

Exceptions: Service dogs

If you wish to travel with a service dog, please keep the following in mind:

  • Each passenger may travel with one service dog.
  • Exception: for sailings to/from the U.S., you may travel with two service dogs.
  • A service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. The service animal must have been individually trained by an organization or a person specializing in service dog training.
  • For all sailings, the service dog should be clearly identified with a service vest and owners should be prepared to show proof of training from a recognized training institution.
  • Your service dog must always remain under your control during travel, and must be harnessed, held on a leash, or tethered if not in its kennel.
  • You will also want to make sure that your service dog meets all the travel, entry or exit requirements of the country, province or state to/from which you are travelling.

Unaccompanied Minors

Children under the age of 12 years old 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. 

Security

All passengers must vacate the vehicle deck for the entire duration of every sailing. Vehicles are loaded and unloaded at the owner’s risk. Pelee Island Transportation Services assumes no responsibility for the contents of vehicles or any damage caused to or by vehicles, motorcycles or bicycles while aboard our ships. All instructions regarding safety communicated by the crew are to be given full attention and adherence.

Passengers Crossing International Borders:
Please visit https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html for up-to-date requirements for entrance into Cananda via Pelee Island, and https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html for American Customs requirements to enter the port of Sandusky.  International travellers may be subject to random screening of their baggage and/or vehicles, as per security regulations.

Smoking

All OSTC properties, vessels and terminals are smoke, vape and e-cigarette free.

Crossing Times

  • Leamington and Kingsville to Pelee Island’s sailing is approximately 90 minutes (1 hr 30 min)
  • Sandusky to Pelee Island is approximately 105 minutes (1hr 45 min).

Luggage

There are limited luggage carts available at boarding for carry-on luggage.  Be advised carts are stored on the vehicle deck during crossing and no one is allowed on the vehicle deck when the ship is sailing.  Customers requiring assistance with luggage should advise the Ticket Agent at check-in.  OSTC does not accept responsibility for loss or, damage to, baggage or its contents under any circumstances.  Luggage containing firearms or other dangerous goods must be safely stored and may have specific requirements.  Some items may not be permitted. Please review our dangerous goods policy (coming soon) to ensure we allow your specific item.

Dangerous Goods and Fuel Regulations

Customers must declare additional fuel and hazardous goods containers upon arrival at the dock.  Please review our Dangerous Goods Policy (coming soon) to ensure we allow your specific item. 

Transport Canada safety regulations prohibit transporting fuels more than the following quantities:

Propane – Recreational Vehicles – Not more than 2 propane cylinders up to 25 litres each, safely secured in an upright position with valves closed, and tagged (tag provided by PITS staff.)

Propane – Built -in Propane Tanks – The tank must be original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and engineered for the vehicle.

Gasoline – Automobiles – Not more that 2 portable containers of up to 25 litres each.

Gasoline – Motorboats – Not more than 2 portable containers of up to 25 litres each.

Freight

Freight items received at any terminal will be charged a minimum of $4 handling fee.  Freight must be paid for prior to shipping or release. 

Perishable Items – Perishable items will only be accepted as freight if they are properly stored and under the care and handling of the owner.  Perishable items include but are not limited to fresh meat, foods purchased from chill cabinets and freshly cooked food stored to be used later. This means anything that requires cooling, which PITS cannot guarantee under Safe Food Handling Regulations.  For full details please see our Freight Policy (coming soon).

Frequent Sailor Discount

Frequent Sailor (FS) Discount is available for Pelee Island property owners.  Application forms with FS Terms and Conditions are available at Pelee Island and Leamington Terminals as well as online here. Once the application is approved by PITS management a 15% discount will be applied to all reservations after approval date.  Frequent Sailors must always be prepared to show ID when checking in at the terminals prior to every sailing.

Drones

Drones are not allowed on PITS property and cannot be used onboard the vessels.  Permission must be granted by PITS office in advance by contacting PITSreservations@ontarioferries.com 

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