Policies and Procedures
Travellers Section
Travellers Section

Vessel loading procedures

When the vessel is ready for boarding, announcements will be made using the public address system in the terminal building which can be heard in the parking lot. 

Loading of the vessel usually begins with the loading of commercial units on the lower deck.  This will begin prior to customers hearing the announcement to board the vessel.  Passengers will park their vehicles either on bottom or top deck.

Walk-on passengers will be asked to meet in a designated area in preparation to board Marine Atlantic’s shuttle bus which will transport you to the vessel’s passenger gangway.   Passengers travelling in a vehicle will be asked to proceed to their vehicles in preparation for boarding the vessel.  Your boarding pass must be collected by Marine Atlantic personnel prior to boarding the vessel.  Employees will provide you with directions during the boarding process.

Persons with a disability or persons who need to be placed near an elevator on the vehicle deck must identify themselves upon check-in.  You will then be placed in a specific lane.  You are asked to turn on your four-way flashers during the boarding process.  The flashers identify the need to be placed in close proximity to the elevators.  Please note that due to the loading sequence and specific vehicle placement on the vehicle deck, a person in this line may not necessarily board the vessel at the beginning of the loading process.

Vessels are loaded with safety and maximizing deck space usage in mind.  Passengers please note that you may not depart the vessel in the sequence in which you were loaded on the vessel.

Points to remember:
Please refrain from using cell phones during loading and unloading.

Personnel are on the vessel deck to direct you on the placement of your vehicle.  Please follow their directions.

Smoking is NOT permitted on the vehicle decks.  This includes no smoking while in your personal vehicles.

Please do not start your vehicle until asked to do so by a Marine Atlantic employee or the vehicle directly in front of you starts their engine and begins to move.