Overview

The Marine Services ferry operations, including its crew, ferries and associated infrastructure (referred to as the service) serve as a vital lifeline for residents and visitors. The service is committed to providing the highest standards of safety and security for all passengers traveling on the Glenora Ferry or Wolfe Island Ferry.

Statement of applicability

  1. The following code of conduct and conditions of carriage may be subject to change without notice.
  2. The code of conduct and conditions of carriage should be considered supplementary, in full or in part, to pre-existing legislation and their future amendments, including:
  3. All passengers must comply with the regulations and instructions given by the captain, crew and staff on board the ferry, as described in the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (S.C. 2001, c. 26).
  4. The code of conduct and conditions of carriage apply directly to all persons who enter a terminal or board a ferry operated by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) inclusive of staff, contractors and members of the public.
  5. These conditions are binding, and persons may be penalized for non-compliance, as discussed in the penalties and enforcement section.

Right to refuse transport

  1. To protect the health, safety and security of its passengers, the service reserves the right to:
    • refuse transportation to any person, vehicle, article, or goods
    • remove any person, vehicle, article or goods from any ferry, terminal or other property occupied by the service
  2. The right to refuse transportation can be invoked for any reason as deemed necessary by the captain and these reasons can include but are not limited to:
    • acting under the influence of alcohol or drugs
    • exhibiting conduct that makes them pose a harm to themselves or others
    • acts or conduct that is or is likely to be objectionable to other passengers
    • carrying hand luggage, a parcel or any object or thing that inconveniences or is likely to inconvenience other passengers or staff in an extraordinary manner
    • suspicious behavior, such as the alteration of an identity using a disguise

Respectful workplace

  1. All staff and contractors of the service have the right to be treated with consideration, dignity and respect.
  2. No instances of violence will be tolerated towards staff or contractors, including, but not limited to:
    • harassing or threatening behavior
    • verbal or written threats
    • other acts of verbal abuse
    • physical attacks and acts of violence
  3. The service will support any colleague subject to aggressive and violent behavior and shall fully pursue the appropriate action legally available.

Passenger conduct

  1. No person shall cause a disturbance, act contrary to the public peace, or display other behavior that the captain deems to be unsafe or disruptive, including but not limited to:
    • urinating, defecating or expectorating except in facilities specifically designed for such actions
    • using profane, insulting or obscene language or gestures
    • behaving in an indecent or offensive manner
    • fighting
    • behaving in a manner which would interfere with the ordinary enjoyment of persons using the service
  2. The improper disposal of garbage, litter or waste is prohibited and no person shall:
    • flush trash or other foreign objects down a toilet
    • fail to properly dispose of trash in containers provided or fail to remove trash from the ferry upon disembarking
    • discard any item overboard
    • litter or deposit any household, industrial or commercial waste within or outside of the ferry
  3. No passenger shall act in an unsafe or uncontrolled manner throughout the voyage. It is prohibited to:
    • ride, hang or stand on any exterior portion of the ferry
    • sit, stand, jump, lay, or climb on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective barriers
    • lean from or pass any part of their body through any window of the ferry
    • tamper with fire fighting or life saving equipment
  4. All goods and luggage transported aboard a ferry must be accompanied at all times by their owner or a custodian assigned by the owner.
  5. No person shall loiter in a terminal or aboard a ferry.
  6. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 and its regulations apply in all terminals and in and on all ferries. It is prohibited to smoke or hold lighted tobacco, lighted cannabis, use an electronic cigarette or any other lighted smoking equipment or material while in or on the ferry.
  7. It is recommended that minors travel accompanied by an adult. The service will not be responsible for unaccompanied minors while they are aboard.
  8. No person shall, without authorization, handle, interfere with or operate any part of the mechanical, electrical, electronic or safety equipment of the ferry or dock facility.
  9. Distracted driving laws apply at ferry terminals and on ferries. Do not use hand-held communication/entertainment devices while operating a vehicle.
  10. Impaired Driving is a criminal offence. The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 prohibits open liquor in a motor vehicle and controls the place of possession or consumption. It is illegal to consume alcohol at a ferry terminal and on ferries. Please do not put our staff in a position where they must report an infraction.

Vehicle transport

  1. The owner/operator of the vehicle shall be fully responsible for the operation and parking of their vehicle on the service's premises, including all vessels.
  2. The service shall not be liable for loss or damage to vehicles or to any articles in vehicles while on the vessel or premises.
  3. Drivers shall obey all signage as well as signals, commands and instructions provided by staff. Drivers are always responsible for the care and control of their vehicles.
  4. Unfit vehicles will not be loaded.
  5. Disabled or abandoned vehicles, or vehicles parked in a way that is contrary to signage or direction may be towed or removed from the terminal or ferry at the discretion of the service at the owner’s expense. Any towing or assistance provided by or on behalf of the service is always at the sole risk and cost of the owner or operator of the vehicle. Bicycles and motorcycles shall be loaded and parked as directed by staff.

Priority boarding

Priority boarding is provided as follows:

  • emergency services responding to emergencies including police, ambulance (with and without patients), fire, Canadian Border Services responding to border emergency, Hydro One responding to an outage and Marine Services employees when required to carry out their duties
  • any situation requiring urgent medical care will be given priority on an as needed basis, including paramedic supervisors, patient transfer vehicles or private vehicles that notify the crew of a medical emergency or urgent care situations
  • the captain has discretion to grant priority boarding for other urgent or compassionate requests

Other requests for priority boarding (Wolfe Island service only) are considered on a case-by-case basis as follows:

  • health care workers providing service to Wolfe Island residents may apply for a Priority Boarding Pass, which will be issued for a period of not more than 12 months. Health care workers are responsible to apply for renewal at expiry
  • Wolfe Island residents that require travel to Kingston for regular medical appointments, such as cancer treatments, may apply for a Priority Boarding Pass for the period of scheduled treatments, for a period of not more than 12 months. Residents are responsible to apply for renewal if required
  • school buses travelling to or from picking up children at school
  • commercial vehicles delivering livestock and perishable goods such as milk, grain, and other agricultural products as requested annually by the Township of Frontenac Islands Council and approved by the service. Priority times and criteria will be specific to each situation and product
  • funeral processions, with 24 hours prior notification
  • all other requests for priority boarding that have been endorsed by Township of Frontenac Islands Council, including special events, will be reviewed for approval by the service

Right to inspect, search and/or confiscate goods

  1. The service reserves the right to request copies of any shipping documents relating to goods carried or to be carried on board a vessel. These items may include, but are not limited to:
    • endorsements and landing slips
    • weight slips
    • a consignor’s certification
    • transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) classification
  2. The captain has the authority to search and/or inspect passenger belongings in response to disruptive, unsafe, or suspicious circumstances.
  3. Personal items which could be used to disrupt operations or compromise passenger safety and/or security may be temporarily confiscated.
  4. Consent and presence of the passenger in question is always preferred during search and/or seizures, but is not required in situations which disrupt operations, or compromise passenger safety and/or security.
  5. Confiscated items will be returned to passengers upon disembarking, in situations where it is safe to do so.
    • items may also be surrendered to police upon the discretion of the captain. Prohibited items include but are not limited to the items outlined in the prohibited items section of this document (S.11)

Health

  1. All MTO staff, contractors and passengers are encouraged to take the appropriate steps in reducing the risk of transmissible illness and/or disease aboard the ferry and within terminals.
  2. In circumstances where a federal, provincial, or local health authority has introduced elevated public health measures, passengers will be asked to follow their direction.
  3. Medical treatment, other than basic first aid, is not available on board the ferry.
    • any passenger travelling with a medical condition, whether this condition is brought to the attention of the service or not, does so at their own risk

Pets, livestock and other animals

  1. Passengers traveling with a pet must ensure the animal is on a leash or secured within a carrier or their vehicle a carrier during the voyage and under their direct control.
  2. All livestock traveling aboard the ferry should be in good health, and managed by their handler in a manner as per the Health of Animals Act (S.C. 1990, c. 21).

Prohibited Items

  1. Firearms must be transported under strict conditions, in compliance with the Firearms Act (S.C. 1995, c. 39). All firearms transported in vehicles must be:
    • unloaded
    • not visible from outside the vehicle
    • locked inside vehicle when unattended
    • stored in a container or receptacle that is kept securely locked

    Transportation requirements may vary depending on the classification of firearm (non-restricted, restricted and prohibited). Passengers are encouraged to review all applicable Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations (SOR/98-209) before traveling on a ferry.

  2. Edged weapons, such as swords, machetes, axes or large knifes may also be transported under strict condition, provided they are:
    • not visible from outside the vehicle
    • locked inside the vehicle when unattended
  3. Other items of concern which can be legally transported, including imitation firearms, ammunition, chemicals/sprays, or any other items that can stun or immobilize must be treated with an equal level of care and caution.
  4. Any other substances or items deemed to be dangerous or illegal as described in federal or provincial law, or upon the discretion of the captain, will be prohibited from transportation and may be confiscated for the duration of the voyage.
    • if a passenger is unsure if an item would be considered safe or legal for transportation, they are encouraged to contact the service at 613-548-0505, or email mtoferryinfo@ontario.ca
    • any unsafe or illegal items found in voyage may be surrendered to police at the discretion of the captain

Transport of dangerous goods

It is the responsibility of every passenger to report the carriage of dangerous goods and to comply with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (S.C. 1992, c. 34) and all other federal, provincial and local legislation pertaining to the transportation of dangerous goods. The TDG regulation, Schedule 1, Column 8 lists the restrictions of transporting dangerous goods on ferries.

This Act requires the following materials be transported individually, on a single-tanker basis (one-by-one) when transported via commercial carrier during regularly scheduled trips. Empty but un-purged mobile units which previously carried any of these dangerous goods must also be transported individually on a single tanker-basis.

  1. UN1075, liquefied petroleum gases.
  2. Class 2.1, UN1203, gasoline, class 3, packing group ii.
  3. UN1978, propane, class 2.1.

Gasoline is permitted for personal transport in quantities as follows:

  • all vehicles are permitted to carry one spare container of gasoline if stored in an approved container (not exceeding 25 litres)
  • boats towed behind a vehicle are permitted to carry up to 2 containers of gasoline, if stored in an approved container (not exceeding 25 litres)
  • no dangerous goods documentation will be required for spare containers of gasoline within the above limits

Any passenger transporting dangerous goods may be asked by MTO staff or contractors to provide information and documentation pertaining to their goods in transit. These items may include, but are not limited to:

  • endorsements and landing slips
  • weight slips
  • a consignor’s certification. This is a formal statement that confirms that the content of a consignment is fully and accurately described on the shipping document, properly classified and packaged, has the appropriate safety markings and is in proper condition

Vehicles transporting dangerous goods must be parked in a safe and secure way, as follows:

  • a perimeter of at least 1 meter must be maintained between other vehicles
  • the tires must remain accessible for chalking/tire marking
  • the driver must stay with the vehicle for the duration of the voyage and ensure their vehicle is continuously monitored for the duration of the voyage

The passenger transporting dangerous goods will maintain liability and responsibility for any of the goods they are transporting under all federal, provincial and local laws, rules, orders, legislation or regulations.

For reasons of safety and security, the service may refuse to transport dangerous goods and/or any vehicle transporting dangerous goods at any time under the discretion of MTO staff and contractors.

Passengers transporting dangerous goods on regular voyages will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis.

Glenora Ferry:

  • Containers larger than 454 L of flammable products with a flashpoint lower than 37.8 degrees Celsius, are not transported on the Glenora ferries.
  • Diesel fuel, furnace oil or other flammable products with flashpoints above 37.8 degrees Celsius are acceptable for transport.
  • Explosives are not carried at any time on the Glenora ferries.
  • All dangerous goods, if permitted, will be stowed in accordance with the Transport Canada Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
  • Vehicles containing dangerous goods are to be stowed at the extreme opposite ends of the vessel.

A minimum of 1 metre separation shall be maintained between a vehicle containing dangerous goods and all other vehicles aboard the ferry.

Penalties and enforcement

  1. Penalties for breaching this code of conduct include but are not limited to:
    • receiving a verbal warning
    • receiving a written warning
    • being removed from the ferry and MTO property
    • receiving a temporary ban from being allowed to board the ferry and/or a temporary trespass order from MTO property
    • receiving a permanent ban from being allowed to board the ferry and/or a permanent trespass order from MTO property
  2. The above-described penalties may but do not have to be used in a sequential order depending on the severity of the breach and at the discretion of the captain.

Trip cancellation

  1. The service reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any departure. The service is unable to provide reimbursement for unexpected expenses or lost income caused by a cancelled or rescheduled departure.