For your convenience, you’ll find relief areas for service dogs located at each terminal.

• North Sydney Terminal

  • Checked-In Passengers—Once you leave the terminal building through the main sliding doors at Exit 2 after you’ve gone through security, turn left and go straight (towards the back of the building) for about 41 meters or 135 feet. The designated service dog and pet relief area is in the grassy area on the left and is marked with accessible signage.  
  • Public Entrance—Once you leave the terminal building through the main sliding doors at Exit 1, turn right and go straight for about 20 meters or 65 feet. The designated service dog relief area is in the grassy area on the right and is marked with accessible signage.  

• Port aux Basques Terminal 

  • Checked-In Passengers—Once you leave the terminal building through the main doors at Exit 1 after you’ve gone through security, follow the walkway for about 4 meters or 13 feet. The designated service dog and pet relieving area is located on the right in the grassy area between the walkway and security fencing and is marked with accessible signage. 
  • Public Entrance—Leave the terminal building using the main doors on the right side at Exit 2 and follow the walkway for about 3 meters or 10 feet. The designated service dog relief area is located straight ahead in the grassy area between the walkway and security fencing and is marked with accessible signage.

• Argentia Terminal 

  • Checked-In Passengers—Once you leave the terminal building through the main entrance, turn left. The designated service dog and pet relieving area is located on the left in the grassy area near the security fencing and is marked with accessible signage. 
  • Public Entrance—Once you enter the main entrance of the terminal, continue straight for about 11 meters or 35 feet until you come to a set of double exit doors located at the rear of the terminal. The designated service dog and pet relieving area is the grassy area to the rear of the terminal and is marked with accessible signage.

• Blue Puttees

  – Take the elevator to deck 7 and then go about 7 meters or 25 feet to the automatic doors on the starboard (right) side of the vessel. Accessible signage posted to the right of the automatic doors show which way to go. Once outside on the open deck, turn right and go straight for about 21 meters or 70 feet. The designated service dog relief area is located inside the kennel area on the left and is marked with accessible signage. 
   

• Highlanders

  – Take the elevator to deck 7 and then go about 7 meters or 25 feet to the automatic doors on the starboard (right) side of the vessel. Accessible signage posted to the right of the automatic doors show which way to go. Once outside on the open deck, turn right and go straight for about 21 meters or 70 feet. The designated service dog relief area is located inside the kennel area on the left and is marked with accessible signage. 
   

• Leif Ericson

  – Take the elevator to deck 5. From the elevator turn left and go about 52 meters or 170 feet, then turn right and use the door on the port (left) side to get to the outside deck. Once outside, turn left and keep going for about 20 meters or 65 feet to get to the designated service dog relief area which is marked with accessible signage. 

Emotional support animals (ESA) are different than certified service dogs; they provide support through their presence and may be trained or untrained. 

We accept many types of emotional support animals for travel but strongly recommend bookings are made in advance. Supporting documentation must be submitted a minimum of five business days in advance of travel. 

Should you need further assistance after reading the information below, please contact our Customer Relations team. 

ESA Booking Process

After booking your passage, passengers requiring the accompaniment of an ESA must submit electronic documentation from a medical doctor or licensed mental health professional that:

• includes the passenger’s name
• verifies their requirement to have the animal with them during travel
• is dated within 36 months from the intended travel date
• includes the professional’s type of license and their full contact information
• is signed by the medical professional

To provide advance notice of travel with an ESA, email your booking number and required documentation to Customer Relations at [email protected]. There is no additional charge for ESAs.

All passengers travelling with an ESA will be provided a printed copy of their itinerary at check-in, which identifies the emotional support animal has been approved for travel. Please keep this with you at all times.

Marine Atlantic allows one ESA per passenger. Approved passengers travelling with ESAs must purchase cabin accommodations, and your ESA must be taken directly to and from the cabin upon boarding and disembarking. ESAs are permitted inside terminals if kept inside a kennel. As always, passengers are responsible for keeping control of their animal and cleaning up after them at all times.

We can help you get to and from the main terminal areas and the curb upon request. This can include:

• assistance in navigating or moving between the areas
• assistance with checked and carry-on baggage
• assistance with a wheelchair, including by providing a wheelchair for use if needed

For those passengers requiring assistance, intercoms are available at the public entrances of both our Port aux Basques and North Sydney Terminals. In Port aux Basques, the intercom is located on the white pillar outside the public entrance at Exit 2. In North Sydney, the intercom is located to the left of the main door.

For your convenience, we offer a checked baggage service to any passengers travelling without a vehicle. Your items, including any mobility aids, may be checked at your departure terminal and collected upon arrival.

Wheelchairs are available for use at all terminals and onboard all vessels. Let us know what your needs are in advance when you book, and we’ll have one ready for you.

When you travel with Marine Atlantic, you are able to keep your mobility aid(s) with you at all times during travel and are not required to check or store these items. We can also temporarily store your mobility aid on board if required during your travel. Please speak with a member of our team at the Reception desk for assistance.

Passengers can also bring a small assistive device that they require during travel including a cane, crutches, a communication device, an orthotic positioning device or a portable oxygen concentrator.

Our vessels can accommodate most standard mobility aids. Elevators that provide access from the vehicle decks to the main passenger decks are the most restrictive. Please note the following elevator maximum dimensions:

Ala'suinu

• Capacity: 1,500 kg
• Interior measurements: 85” long x 57” wide 
• Door opening: 39” wide
• Elevator vestibule access is approximately 60” wide x 72” long, with door openings of 35” wide

Blue Puttees and Highlanders 

• Capacity: 1,500 kg
• Interior measurements: 79” long x 63” wide 
• Door opening: 38” wide

Leif Ericson 

• Capacity: 1,150 kg
• Interior measurements: 81” long x 56” wide
• Door opening: 41” wide

Please contact us if you require more information or would like to ask specific questions.

Flashing amber lights are activated in terminals and on vessels to indicate when verbal announcements are being made. At our terminals, the announcement text is also displayed on digital signage.

For assistance, including accessing the announcement in an alternative format, visit the Ticket Counter in the terminals or Reception onboard the vessels.

We can assist persons with disabilities through all parts of the check in and security screening procedures. That includes:

• allowing you to advance to the front of the line at a check-in counter or ticket counter
• assistance with checked and carry-on baggage
• ensuring a support person or staff member is able to assist you through security

Marine Atlantic staff will also help you get to the boarding area after check-in as well as transfer you between your own mobility aid and one provided by us as requested.

After check-in, our staff are available to assist persons who are not independently mobile. There are waiting areas near our ticket counters and staff will check in with passengers while they are waiting to board.

Early Boarding

Persons with disabilities may request early boarding if you:

• require assistance with boarding or need extra time to board
• have a visual impairment and request a description of the layout of the vessel
• have requested to clean your passenger seat to remove any potential allergens

Parking

Accessible vehicle lanes are located closer to terminal buildings and arrangements can be made for passengers or commercial customers upon request. 

Dropping someone off? Marine Atlantic offers accessible parking for visitors to the terminals. Look for spots marked with standard accessible parking signage.  

If you need your vehicle to be parked close to an elevator onboard the vessel, please let our staff know upon check-in, so your vehicle can be placed in a specific lane.

When boarding, please turn on your vehicle’s four-way flashers to let crew members know you need to be placed near an elevator. Due to the specific placement on the vehicle deck, you may not necessarily board the vessel at the beginning of the loading process.

Getting Settled Onboard

Marine Atlantic crew are happy to provide assistance to persons with disabilities in boarding and disembarking, including:

• moving between the vehicle and passenger decks 
• assisting with transferring between a mobility aid and the passenger seat before departure and on arrival at the destination
• in the case of a person who is blind or has any other visual impairment, describing to the person, the layout of the ferry, including the location of washrooms and exits, and the location and operation of any operating controls at the person’s passenger seat
• assisting the person in moving between their passenger seat and a washroom, including assisting them in transferring between their passenger seat and an on-board wheelchair

Passengers travelling without vehicles can travel between the vessel and the terminal on Marine Atlantic’s shuttle bus service. Our buses are fully accessible, including rear access wheelchair lifts that can accommodate up to 800 pounds on a platform measuring 33 by 51 inches.

The safety video we show at the start of every crossing is closed captioned for accessibility. Onboard crew can also provide a copy of the dialogue in an alternate format upon request. 

Crew members can also provide an individual safety briefing to any persons with disabilities to make sure important safety information is communicated and to answer any questions or concerns.

The Marine Atlantic team is happy to help persons with disabilities in our onboard restaurants and snack bars. 

In the case of a person who is blind or has any other visual impairment:

• describing to the person, if a meal is offered on board, all the food and beverages that are offered for consumption or providing a menu in large print 

If a meal is served on board to the person:

• assisting the person with the meal by opening packages, identifying food items and their location, and cutting large food portions

Travelling with medical oxygen can be even easier if you plan ahead. Here are Marine Atlantic’s guidelines: 

• Please advise us that you’re travelling with medical oxygen as far in advance as possible (preferably at the time of your booking).
• We accept a maximum of 6 cylinders per person. Additionally:  
  • Cylinders with a capacity of no more than 10 litres, or Type E cylinders, are accepted for transportation.
  • Cylinders must be adequately secured in your vehicle against the movement of the vessel and stored away from sources of heat and ignition.
• Only the amount of oxygen you require for the duration of the voyage can be taken to passenger areas, and it must be adequately secured.
  • If an additional cylinder becomes required during the voyage, a crew member will arrange for its retrieval from your vehicle.
• The use of medical oxygen is prohibited in all smoking areas.
• Transferring material between cylinders, including refilling smaller units, is not permitted on terminal properties or onboard vessels. 

Passengers who self-identify and provide appropriate medical authorization/documentation may self-medicate in the designated smoking areas on board our vessels and at our terminal properties.

Marine Atlantic prohibits the recreational use of cannabis on its property, at its terminals and on board its vessels.

How do I self-identify?

Passengers are encouraged to identify their need to use medical cannabis at the time of booking. Passengers may also present to the Ticket Office at the terminal or to Reception onboard the vessel to self-identify during travel. 

Passengers may be asked at any time during their travel, including during any pre-boarding screening procedures, to present their documentation along with photo identification confirming their entitlement to use cannabis for medical reasons.

What documentation do I require to use medical cannabis at Marine Atlantic facilities?

A note from a medical practitioner alone does not meet the requirements set out by Health Canada to use medically authorized cannabis.  

Passengers may present one of the following: 

• A medical document as defined by Part 14 of the federal Cannabis Regulations.
• An authorization to possess form issued by Health Canada.
• A personal production license issued by Health Canada.
• A registration certificate from Health Canada. 

Passengers with appropriate medical authorization/documentation for legal cannabis use will be provided space on board our vessels and terminals to self-medicate. Passengers who do not have the appropriate documentation will be denied the use of cannabis.

Where and how can passengers use medically authorized cannabis?

Passengers may ingest medically authorized cannabis through smoking (rolled in cigar or cigarette papers) or vape pens, in the designated smoking areas at terminals and on board vessels. The use of bowls, pipes, bongs, or other similar paraphernalia is prohibited. Smoking is not permitted in indoor areas of terminals or vessels, including cabins.

It is the responsibility of passengers travelling with medically authorized cannabis to ensure that their possession amount is within the allowed limit.