How We Make Sailing Decisions
The east coast of Canada is known for many things - the friendly people who call it home, rich cultures and traditions, and quaint communities along our coastlines. It’s also known for some less than ideal weather conditions. From heavy snow to strong winds, the provinces in which we operate experience harsh conditions, which can make it difficult for our operations to run as planned.
At Marine Atlantic, ensuring the safety of our passengers and employees is our top priority. When our crossings are cancelled or delayed, it adversely impacts our supply chain and the schedules of those travelling with us. The decision to cancel or delay a crossing is one that is not taken lightly, which is why we entrust experts who know our vessels and waters better than anyone else to make this decision – our Captains.
While preparing for an upcoming crossing, our Captains review the forecasted weather and discuss it with their colleagues before making decisions that may impact scheduled crossings. When a weather system is approaching, our team provides our customers with advance notice that their sailing could be impacted.
Our Captains make the call on whether to cancel or delay a sailing when weather data shows a consistent trend with no improvement. While they try to make a call with as much advance notice as possible, sometimes these decisions can be made several hours in advance of a crossing depending on the severity or expectations of the weather system.
We regularly see comments and questions about why we’ve cancelled or delayed a sailing due to weather systems that some don’t feel are extreme. It’s important to consider that while the conditions may not seem so bad, they could be very uncomfortable for those actually on the vessel. It is also important to remember that weather conditions on shore may not be the same as those in open water or on the other side of the Cabot Strait. Wind speeds, wave heights and sea states, as well as wind direction, all influence sailing decisions.
To stay up to date on all advisories, you can visit our website at www.marineatlantic.ca or follow our X account @MAferries.
