By John Francis, Bruce Peninsula Press
The MS Chi-Cheemaun went to Thunder Bay at the end of the sailing season, last October, for her 5-year inspection. The inspection was not completed by the time the locks at Sault Ste Marie closed for the winter, so the Chi-Cheemaun has remained at drydock all winter.
An OSTC press release dated March 12 states: “On March 12th, the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) confirms that one of the two heating boilers was damaged by fire on the MS Chi-Cheemaun. No injuries resulted from this incident and no other machinery was negatively affected by the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation and the vessel will undergo further examination and equipment testing at which point the OSTC will provide additional information.
The OSTC wishes to thank the Thunder Bay Rescue Service for their rapid response.”
OSTC spokesperson Kaleena Sanford points out that the boiler has nothing to do with the drive, steering or safety systems of the vessel — it just provides heat to the passenger areas. No other machinery and equipment was negatively affected by the fire.
The repairs are already underway and there is no reason for concern about the sailing schedule. The Chi-Cheemaun will arrive in Tobermory on May 5 and the sailing season will begin May 6. Reservations are being booked.
2022 will once again see three round trips per day at the height of season rather than the traditional four trips. This means no 7:00AM departures and no 11:40PM arrivals.
