Persons with Disabilities
Travellers Section
Travellers Section

Marine Atlantic provides a variety of services for persons with disability to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for our passengers.

It is required that Persons With Disability travelling with Marine Atlantic who are requesting either  a reservation for an ATTENDANT or for the ADAPTED CABIN must provide proof of disability upon arrival at the terminal.

Customers who are required to travel with an attendant should self-identify during the reservation process.  Following are some examples of persons for whom Marine Atlantic who would allow the attendant rate.
 
Passengers:  using mobility supports, (such as wheelchairs or other aids);
with visual impairments or/blindness;
who are deaf or hard of hearing;
with cognitive disabilities;
with developmental disabilities;
who are consumers of mental health services;
Other -  Please Specify

Proof of Disability will be required to be shown upon arrival at terminals, such as:

Disabled parking permit;
CNIB Card;
Communi Card;
Other – Please Specify

If customer does not possess any of the above ID, they must provide a medical note or letter from a recognized disability organization. 

Customers please note:  If  the above documentation is not provided upon arrival at ticketing,  your reservation will be modified and you will be charged the regular fare.

Reserving the adapted cabin

Customers who use wheelchairs, or who have mobility disabilities, are permitted to reserve the Adapted Cabin in advance.

These customers must be holders of a valid Disabled Parking Permit, or provide a medical note or letter from a recognized disability organization. 

Customers please note:   If the above documentation is not presented upon arrival at ticketing, your reservation will be modified and the Adapted Cabin will be removed from the booking.

Standards of accessibility

Marine Atlantic operates all its ferries in full compliance with the Canadian Transportation Agency's Code of Practice on Ferry Accessibility and the code of communication for persons with disabilities. This code covers all areas of accessibility

Marine Atlantic’s commitment “Our ships and terminals have been designed for maximum accessibility and the convenience of persons with disabilities.  Extensive training has been given to our staff in accommodating your needs.  We are continuing to develop and improve our facilities in this regard.”

Traveling with Service Animals

Service animals are permitted in the terminal, and owners can take their dogs for toileting to the various grass areas located directly outside the terminal building. 

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep our outside areas clean by cleaning up after your service animal.

Overview of the Codes of Practice

In June 2004 the Code of Communication was launched in Ottawa and the purpose of this code is to improve the communication of transportation related information for persons with disabilities on a systemic basis as they use the federal transportation system.

The Canadian Transportation Agency launched the new Code of Practice on Ferry Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities on June 14, 1999 at the Marine Atlantic Terminal in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. The purpose of the Code was to address consumer concerns regarding standards of accessibility on marine passenger vessels. The concept behind the code was to offer practical procedure-based solutions intended to make ferries more user-friendly for persons with disabilities. A full, text-only version of the Code of Practice can be found here, on the Canadian Transportation Agency web site.

Accessible Services within Marine Atlantic

Signage:
Appropriate informational signage can be found at key points, both within the terminals and on board the ferries. All signage is in compliance with the Codes of Practice, placed for maximum readability and is available in both official languages.

Chair-lift equipped Passenger Bus:
Each of Marine Atlantic’s passenger shuttle buses, utilized to transport passengers without vehicles to the vessel, are fully equipped with wheelchair lift units.   In addition our friendly and cooperative staff have been trained in the use of these lifts.

Passenger Areas & Cafeteria:
Most general passenger areas, including the cafeteria, are designed to be completely accessible to persons with disabilities. If additional assistance is required please ask one of our friendly staff to assist you.

Elevators:

The North Sydney and Port aux Basques Terminals are equipped with passenger elevators providing access to all floors of the Terminal Buildings. At the Argentia Terminal all services are available on the first floor.

In addition, each vessel is equipped with passenger elevators that provide accessibility to all lower decks, including vehicle decks. Please note that in conditions of extreme weather, passenger elevators on the vessels may be unavailable due to safety regulations.

Manual Wheelchairs:
All terminals and vessels are equipped with a manual wheelchair and are available to customers upon request.

Cabins:
All passenger vessels have a limited number of adapted cabins designed to meet the accessibility requirements of persons with disabilities.

Public Washrooms:
All vessels and terminals offer washroom facilities designed to be accessible by persons with disabilities.

Accessible Bar Lounge:
All vessels and terminals with bar facilities are designed to be accessible by person with disabilities.

Accessible Dormitory Sleepers:
 A limited number of  Dormitory sleepers are available for persons with disabilities.  These dorm sleepers are not located on the main passenger decks; therefore, assistance will be required to access.  Photo to be included. 

AED’s:
 Each vessel has designated crew members trained in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators. Marine Atlantic has life pack 500 Automatic External Defibrillators for use onboard our passenger vessels.

Assistance from Personnel:
 In accordance with Transport Canada Regulations our staff have been trained to assist persons with disabilities.

Designated Parking Spaces:
Upon arrival at ticketing locations, please advise ticket clerk that designated parking is required to ensure close proximity to elevators onboard the vessel.

Emergency Bells or Flashing Lights:
These options are available at various locations throughout terminals and vessels.  For exact location of these services, please inquire upon arrival at terminal or onboard vessels.

Escalators:
Escalators are available on the MV Caribou and MV Joseph & Clara Smallwood.   These can be accessed on Deck No. 1 or Deck No. 3 and provide access as far as Deck No. 5  which is the main passenger area.

First Aid Stations:
Available on main passenger deck. We would like to inform our passengers that although we do not have medical personnel onboard our vessels, we do have a first aid room containing a bed and medical supplies in case of emergencies. For your safety we ask for you to have any necessary medical supplies with you in case of an allergic reaction. Marine Atlantic does carry such items as Epi-pens on board the vessels in the case of an emergency.

Hearing Impaired Pagers:
Available upon request at the Purser’s Office onboard.

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Marine Atlantic is committed to improving accessibility, and in that regard has an Advisory Committee on Accessibility. The purpose of this committee is to review accessibility issues within Marine Atlantic and institute procedural and structural changes to improve accessibility.

Peanut Allergies

For those who will be travelling with Marine Atlantic and have a peanut allergy, we ask for your assistance with the following. When making a reservation, please inform the reservations clerk of the condition, so that they can make the necessary arrangements on board the vessel on which you will be travelling. Once arriving on board the vessel, please contact the Sr. Chief Steward or the Chief Steward so as to identify yourself to them and they can help you with any concerns.

Questions

Any questions, or comments, regarding accessibility or concerning our adapted cabins with Marine Atlantic can be directed to the knowledgeable staff at any of the terminal buildings or the toll-free reservation number: 1-800-341-7981.

Toll Free Hearing Impaired TTY Line: 1-877-820-9252