The M.S. Chi-CheeMaun will wrap up the 2023 season with the annual repositioning cruise.
The ferry between Tobermory and South Bay Mouth on Manitoulin Island will sail the final scheduled trip of 2023 on Sunday, October 15. The following day, it will carry 450 passengers on the sold out repositioning cruise from Tobermory to its winter home in Owen Sound.
Owen Sound Transportation Company President and CEO Carl Kuhnke said the ferry offers a perfect shortcut to northern Ontario, reuniting families and friends.
"When you get the chance to just drive up a leisurely highway up to Tobermory, and see all the wonderful people up there, the unique craft shops and everything else on the way, not to mention smoked fish and Lord knows what else, and then get on the chichi one which is an iconic symbol here in Central North Ontario is quite an experience and it's a beautiful trip," said Kuhnke.
The Chi-Cheemaun enjoyed a busy season with over 137,000 passengers and 50,000 vehicles. Kuhnke said the pandemic made year to year comparisons difficult, but it was a great season.
"But this year over the last year out of COVID, our revenues on all of our ferry services, including the Chi-Cheemaun, Pelee Island transportation, and our Niska ferry up on James Bay, are up about ten per cent. I haven't done the exact numbers but they're about ten per cent up this year, which is really good to see," he added.
Kuhnke stated the ship will be refurbished at its winter home in Owen Sound, right across from their new office.
"We're moving right downtown to the old sound family medical clinic, which is a beautiful three story building right on the canal, and on First Avenue, and we're going to be on the third floor and we will now be about 150 Walking meters from our own ship," explained Kuhnke. "So we can do a lot of training over the winter in our new Head Office and all of our all of our workers and prove that are going to be on the ship in the winter. And it can have a place to get really warm instead of your ship warm up in for a coffee and it'd be really handy for us and very useful."
Next year, Kuhnke expects the Chi-Cheemaun will offer WIFI service for passengers. They're preparing to mark the ship's 50th year in service.
The charity of choice for the fall cruise to Owen Sound this year is GRACE, the Georgian Riding Association for Challenged Equestrians, which works closely with children and adults in Grey and Bruce Counties.