EDITOR’S NOTE- -There were several factual errors in a news story ‘MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry’s 2023 schedule is announced,’ (The Manitoulin Expositor, Page 3, Wednesday March 15, 2023) as well as in the online version of the story. The following story corrects these errors (including the first day of sailing, corrected to Friday, May 5 from Saturday, May 6 and the fact that there are now no COVID-19 protocols jn place.) The Expositor regrets the errors and apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.
OWEN SOUND- -As usual, this year’s MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry service will begin its Georgian Bay crossings on the first Friday of May. There are no COVID-19 protocols in place.
This year, that day falls on May 5 and that first sailing will arrive at its South Baymouth terminal at 10:50am, following its 8:50am departure from its Tobermory terminal.
The first arrival of the Chi-Cheemaun in South Baymouth is traditionally a festive occasion with many Island people on hand to watch and welcome this first event of the sailing season.
The spring schedule, in place until June 22, posts two daily return sailings with a third sailing each Friday evening.
The twice-daily sailings are as follows: depart Tobermory 8:50 am, arrive South Baymouth 10:50am ; then depart South Baymouth 11:10am to arrive Tobermory 1:10 pm. The afternoon sailings depart Tobermory 1:30pm, arrive South Baymouth 3:30pm; then depart South Baymouth 3:50pm, reaching Tobermory 5:50pm..
The late Friday sailings each week during the spring season depart Tobermory 6:10pm, arrive South Baymouth 7:55pm. The ferry leaves South Baymouth on these additional Friday sailings on her return to her Tobermory berth at 8:15pm, arriving 10pm.
On the Monday of the Victoria Day Weekend (May 22 this year) there is an additional late sailing with the same schedule as the late Friday sailings.
During the busy time, June 23 to September 10, there are three return daily sailings: depart Tobermory 8:45am, arrive South Baymouth 10:30am; then depart South Baymouth 11am, arrive Tobermory 12:45pm. The second daily sailing departs Tobermory 1:15pm, arriving South Baymouth 3:00pm; the return trip leaves South Baymouth at 3:30pm and arrives Tobermory 5:15pm.
The final trip each day leaves Tobermory at 5:45pm, arriving South Baymouth at 7:30pm; the return trip leaves South Baymouth at 7:45pm, arriving at Tobermory at 9:30pm.
The ferry service’s fall schedule, in place beginning September 10, follows the same twice-daily sailings as the spring schedule, with the same times of departures and arrivals. The sailing season ends October 15.
Similarly, there is the same third sailing every Friday, again following the same schedule as the additional spring Friday sailings.
On Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10, there is also an additional, third, sailing for travellers’ convenience. The ship leaves Tobermory at 6:10, arriving South Baymouth at 7:55pm and then returns to Tobermory, departing her Manitoulin port at 8:15pm.
Travellers are strongly advised to make reservations for their preferred sailing dates and times. In the busy summer season and indeed on many days during the shoulder seasons, it is unlikely that, without reservations, there will be space aboard for people travelling with vehicles. Travellers with vehicles, who have reserved their passage, must be at the South Baymouth or Tobermory terminal at least one hour prior to departure time in order for their reservation to be validated. Walk-on passengers with reservations are also required to present themselves at the terminals at least one hour before departure time.
To book your space, visit the Chi-Cheemaun schedule at www.OntarioFerries.com. This site also provides much helpful information about the ferry service and what travellers can expect as they cross ‘the fifth Great Lake’ in this unique way.
Reservations can also be made by contacting 1-800-265-3163.
‘Travel in good spirits!’
