Ferry Safety

The health, well-being, and safety of our employees and passengers is our greatest responsibility.

Our fleet adheres to the highest safety codes, including Transport Canada’s Marine Safety Act, Det Norske Veritas Classification Societies, and the International Safety Management (ISM) Code—an internationally recognized quality assurance system. To maintain exceptional standards, our fleet also has a continuous preventative maintenance program.

Employee Training

Marine Atlantic employees are thoroughly trained and evaluated in all areas of vessel safety. These include firefighting, security, crowd control, passenger safety management, and evacuation procedures. We regularly test, train, and assess our performance to ensure a constant state of emergency preparedness.

For Your Onboard Safety

Please review this information to ensure your journey is a safe and smooth experience. Have questions or safety concerns? Review our Frequently Asked Questions, Contact Us, or ask a Marine Atlantic crew member at the terminal or on board.

Watch the safety video: Review the safety video here and on board to learn more about your vessel’s safety features and to get familiar with the location and instructions for use of life jackets and evacuation stations.

Do not enter the vehicle decks: For your safety and security, passengers are not permitted on the vessel's vehicle decks during the crossing.

Sleep in your cabin—or in a reclining chair: For health and safety reasons, passengers are not permitted to sleep on the floor, deck, or in vehicles.

Minimize vehicle emissions: Upon arrival in port, drivers are asked not to start their engines until directed to do so by our personnel, or until the traffic directly ahead has started to unload. This helps minimize exhaust on the vehicle deck.

Meet our staff: Marine Atlantic's crew is thoroughly trained in emergency procedures and knowledgeable of all health and safety issues related to our vessels. They’re happy to answer any questions.

Onboard Safety Features

These vessel features and procedures help ensure the safety of all passengers, crew, vehicles, and containers.

Fire and smoke detectors: Fire and smoke detectors are located throughout our vessels.

Fire suppression systems: Our vehicle decks, as well as all passenger and crew areas, are fully equipped with fire suppression systems. When there is an alarm on board, flashing lights and sirens activate in all areas of the vessel.