Chi-Cheemaun returns to Manitoulin Island
It was a welcome sight in South Baymouth on Friday as the Chi-Cheemaun made her long-awaited return to Manitoulin Island.
It's become a tradition for many Islanders to welcome the ferry on her first seasonal sail.
"It's the time saver for us,” said Diane Chmielak, an Islander who was heading south with husband Neil.
“We never, ever took the boat, I think when our kids were young. We took it once but we were always heading in a different direction."
Cars lined up hours in advance to be on the first passage. But it's also become a tradition for many on the Island to see the old girl off. People from across Manitoulin come to see her first arrival.
Judy Blue hasn't missed a first sail in 23 years.
"Because it's a way of seeing people, communicating and watching and the excitement, the excitement of seeing everybody,” Blue said.
“We know it's summer now."
"It's nice to see it come in, it's just like people all get together, you see old friends from you don't see very often," added Adeline Sampson, another Islander who came to see the first arrival.
Whether it's been finding crew, dealing with a pandemic or even a fire, its CEO said they've overcome many challenges.
"We were down 50 per cent during COVID, so we're expecting to come back not quite to our pre-2021 but close to our 2021 numbers from that time so," said Carl Kuhnke, CEO of Owen Sound Transportation Company.
And while talks are underway to find a replacement in the next 10 years, passengers here said they're just happy to have her back.
"For me, I'm two hours and 15 minutes to Tobermory and an hour and a half when I get off the ferry,” said Neil McKee.
“Going around is a big eight hours."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Supreme Court orders new trial for B.C. francophone who was not given French option
The Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a francophone man in British Columbia who says he was not informed of his right to have a trial in the official language of his choice.