RR Sailing Schedule

Customers utilizing RR sailings are asked to note the following changes to the fall and winter schedule.

  • Until Sept. 17, in addition to the regular RR scheduled sailings, an additional RR sailing will occur every second Saturday departing North Sydney and will be designated for fireworks and compatible commodities.
  • Effective Sept. 18 until Nov. 21, the additional Saturday RR sailing will move to every second Tuesday departing North Sydney. This additional sailing will again be designated for fireworks and compatible commodities.
  • From Nov. 22 until April 30, 2023, the first RR sailing of each month will be designated for fireworks and compatible commodities.

Please see our commercial sailing schedule for dates or call our Commercial Clerk at 1-800-341-7981 for further details.

Customers transporting any dangerous goods in Class 1 are required to book in advance. There are no additional fees for booking units carrying these commodities in advance and reservations must be made at least 36 hours prior to departure. Units must arrive at the terminal at least 6 hours prior to sailing time but may arrive up to 4 days in advance.
 

Background

An issue was raised earlier this year that led to a re-evaluation of the regulatory requirements surrounding the stowage and segregation of explosives being transported on our vessels. Regulators at Transport Canada were engaged in this review and based on their advice, some types of explosives that had been shipped together in the past now require additional segregation.

Units in the G compatibility group containing fireworks cannot be planned for RR sailings where explosives from compatibility groups C, D and E are booked.

Marine Atlantic is governed by the International Marine Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code for stowage and segregation as the Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods regulations do not cover this topic. Section 7.2.7.1.4 of the IMDG gives the permitted stowage for goods of Class 1. Note 1 from the table states: “Explosive articles in compatibility group G (other than fireworks and those requiring special storage) may be stowed with explosive articles of compatibility groups C, D and E provided no explosive substances are transported in the same compartment or hold, or closed cargo transport unit.”

The regulator has confirmed that to be compliant with this note, both requirements must be met. This means goods must be segregated by a compartment or hold, as well as be transported in separate, closed cargo units. Obtaining this segregation is not possible on all our vessels.