Manitoulin Island ferry to set sail on June 8

The Chi-Cheemaun ferry will resume operations on Tuesday, June 8.

Operating in Georgian Bay in the upper end of Lake Huron, the vessel typically runs from May to October between South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island and Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula.

Although the service was originally scheduled to launch its 2021 season on May 7, the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC), the Crown agency that runs the service, pushed back that date due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

Now, the ferry is set to depart Tobermory on June 8 at 9 a.m. for this season's maiden voyage.

The OSTC said the ferry's reservation system would reopen at 8:30 a.m. on June 3, enabling travellers to reserve their spot either online or by telephone for departures starting on June 8 and running through the end of the season.

Reservations for ferry service between June 3 and June 7 have been cancelled, the OSTC noted, but “reservation agents are contacting all impacted customers to provide an opportunity to rebook if desired.”

Those travelling on the ferry must follow COVID-19 mitigation measures currently in place.

That includes being screened for COVID symptoms prior to boarding; wearing a double-layered face mask for the duration of the crossing; and maintaining a physical distance of two metres between themselves and other passengers and crew while on board.

Full details about the measures, which have been put in place by Transport Canada, are available here.