Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

 

Bell Island Portugal Cove Ferry Service

 

Rules for use of service

 

April 2005

 

 

1. MEDICAL NEEDS USERS:

 

Individuals in possession of an approved medical certificate issued by authorized personnel at the hospital or a medical doctor shall have first access to the ferry and shall position themselves at the head of the commuter line 15 minutes prior to the SCHEDULED VESSEL SAILING TIME. Medical certificates shall be honored for the ferry trip specified on the medical certificate and the wharf attendant shall make the decision as to whether someone with a pass arrived on time and that the pass is in order.

 

2. ONE COMMUTER LINE:

 

     Commuting students, self employed individuals and regular employed workers holding an approved pass that has not time expired will be granted access to the commuter line on a first come first served basis and will be authorized to board the ferry after holders of medical certificates. To qualify commuters must be in the ferry line 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

3. REGULAR USERS MAIN LINE:

 

 Regular users traveling by vehicle shall line up for the ferry in the main regular line and proceed to the ferry entrance ramp as directed by the wharf attendant following the boarding of medical and commuter vehicles.

 

a.     NO SPECIAL LINE FOR TRUCKS:

 

 Large trucks may not proceed to the head of the line and should line up in the regular line. Truck drivers who have safety issues lining up on the hills should seek guidance from the Manager or wharf attendant if they feel they need an exemption.

 

b.     LEAVING GAPS IN FERRY LANES NOT PERMISSABLE:

 

 Vehicles may not be parked in the ferry lanes such that large gaps exist between the vehicles ahead of them. Such vehicles may be ticketed or towed. Vehicles cannot "pre-book" a space in the ferry lanes, for some future crossing of the ferry in the day, by parking their vehicle in the ferry lane and walking away from the vehicle. All vehicles in the ferry lane must intend to board the ferry presently being loaded.

 

 

 

c.      NO ADVANCE LINE PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT

 

Regular users not accommodated after a break in service or overnight may position themselves in the line after 12 o’clock midnight and will be accommodated on the next scheduled sailing after the medical and commuter line is loaded first.

 

 

d.     FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED

 

Regular users should be aware that passengers are accommodated on the ferries on a first come first served basis.  Provision will be made for drivers and passengers in lined up vehicles to be accommodated that were there prior to the arrival of busloads and walk on passengers to go aboard the ferry on a first come first served basis.

 

 

4. PASSING VEHICLES IN FERRY LANES RESTRICTED:

 

All vehicle drivers must not jump the line to pass other vehicles unless the drivers of such vehicles have left their vehicles unattended and are not moving to board the vessel when loading commences.

 

 

5. WHARF ATTENDANT DIRECTIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED:

 

All vehicle users must follow the directions of the wharf attendant while in the ferry lanes and terminal area and the instructions of the mate once entering the ramp and the ferry deck. Vehicle drivers not following directions or creating mischief may be denied access or removed.

 

 

6. RESTRICTIONS ON CELL PHONE USE WHILE BOARDING:

 

Vehicle drivers boarding the ferry must turn off their cell phones.

 

 

7. VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MUST VACATE VEHICLE DECK WHILE SAILING:

 

Once aboard the vessel safety rules demand that the driver and passengers should vacate their vehicles and move to the passenger lounge and not begin to return to their vehicles until the vessel has docked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. TICKET PURCHASES ROUND TRIP ONLY:

 

All those boarding the ferry in Portugal Cove must purchase a round trip ticket -cash only.

 

 

9. VEHICLES LEAKING FLUIDS MAY BE DENIED PASSAGE:

 

Vehicles leaking fluids may be denied passage for safety reasons:

 

 

10. SUBSTITUTING VEHICLES IN FERRY LANE NOT ACCEPTABLE:

 

Vehicle drivers in a ferry lane may not replace the lined up vehicle with a replacement vehicle.  Broken down vehicles will be subject to towing at the owner’s expense.

 

 

11. VEHICLES TRAVEL AT OWN RISK:

 

          Crewmembers will use their best efforts to guide vehicles aboard the vessels and assist drivers as necessary. Drivers must use their own discretion in following crew’s directions. Drivers who seek assistance for locked vehicles will be assisted at their own risk and no liability will be assumed for possible scratches etc.

 

 

12. SMOKING ABOARD VESSELS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED:

 

          For safety reasons especially, smoking is strictly prohibited aboard vessels and when detected, violators will be assessed relevant penalties.

 

 

 

13. COMMUTER ELIGIBILITY-RULES: -separate policies:

 

          A separate commuter eligibility policy approved by Government sets out the criteria for eligibility for commuter status and copies are available on request.