By Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
Starting a month late due to COVID-19 and ending a day early due to strong winds, the Chi-Cheemaun salvaged the season for their pleasure and commercial travellers while operating at half capacity.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols Implemented
Physically removing chairs, keeping groups together, creating spaces between the different groups, limiting passenger movements on the ship, creating a designated area for those medically unable to wear a mask and crews immediately sanitizing areas left vacant by passengers were some of the measures employed to keep passengers safe.
“Passengers were required to wear a mask at all times onboard the ship” says Susan Schrempf, president and CEO of Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC). “Looking back, this was the correct decision as it kept the rule clear and simple” and while some travellers questioned wearing masks outside, for the most part there was no great resistance to the safety protocols introduced.
Interestingly, “We had to board walk-on passengers via the vehicle ramp not because of Covid-19, but because water levels were so high the passenger bridges were not usable” says Schrempf.
Demand peaked in August and Sept
With the dynamic situation due to COVID-19 restrictions, the first voyage was delayed until June, and then there were only three daily trips; one less trip than the regular schedule. Passenger capacity was reduced to 50%. There were 714 sailings this year compared to 1,036 in 2019. Demand tracked closely with provincial restrictions and with tourist traffic being discouraged in June, it was a slow start but gradually as restrictions eased, there was an uptake in passenger traffic.
Typically the peak of traffic is July and August, this year peak demand shifted to August and September. There was a decline in walk-on passengers, but with the carrying capacity set at 200 passengers per trip, the trips were regularly sold out.
Schrempf explains “Transport Canada limited passenger capacity to a maximum of 50 percent of certified capacity. That meant we could carry up to 300. But there is a caveat – we also had to ensure the passengers had enough room to physically distance, and that is why we set our cap at 200.”
Mostly the passenger capacity level was full before the vehicle limit reached maximum capacity. With a 49 percent drop from last year, there were 103,698 travellers in 2020 compared to 202,020 in 2019.
Vehicles dropped to 43 percent from 2019 levels; but for September and October combined, there was only a 17 percent drop as opposed to the same period last year.
Truck traffic in June was 168, down from 248 trucks in 2019, but by July counts were tracking fairly close to last year’s figure, with 202 trucks in 2020 to 216 in 2019. However with only three sailings per day, many of the trucks were unable to make a same-day return trip.
Overall for the season, the passenger to vehicle ratio was 2.25; only slightly down from 2.5 passenger to vehicle of 2019.
No Layoffs of Permanent Staff
The permanent staffing levels were maintained with no lay-offs, the staff being reassigned and fully engaged with cleaning protocols and passenger supervision. However only half of the summer staff were hired this year.
High Winds Ends Season Day Early
High winds in September and October impacted service. Trips were called off for the safety of the passengers or being unsafe to operate the ferry and the last run of the season was cancelled.
OnBoard Food Service Expected to Return in 2021
Food service was not offered this year, due to the layout of the ship there was no possible way to safely distance and accommodate the onboard food service or cafeteria dining.
With the expectation that some degree of safety protocols will have to be in place in 2021, Schrempf hopes to reintroduce food services in line with public health guidance.
2020 Loyalty Card valid in 2021
Holders of a 2020 Loyalty card will be able to use it in 2021. Due to the shortened sailing season, the free loyalty card which offers the 10th sailing free, redeemable during the current season, will be valid for the 2021 season.
Mandatory Inspections and On-going Refurbishing
The Chi-Cheemaun has been under-going renovations over the past seven years. All the passenger spaces have been refurbished, leaving only the stairwells to be completed. This is the second year for upgrades to the crew quarters.
Every five years, the ferry is required to be taken out of the water and undergo mandatory inspections. These inspections will be due at the end of the 2021 season, and while the ship is in dry dock, maintenance work will be done on the propellers, shafts and rudders.
