In a stormy 2020, the Chief Commanda II will remain in port.
Uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 situation has forced Lake Nipissing mainstay, the Chief Commanda II, to cancel its 2020 summer and fall sailing schedules.
The management and crew of the Chief Commanda II "today announces with deep regret that our 2020 sailing season is cancelled. We’re looking forward to hitting the water in May of 2021."
In a typical year, the Chief would already be sailing from King's Landing at the North Bay waterfront but the popular tourist attraction remains on land at its winter home in Callander.
However, the crew has not given up on seeing their guests this summer. Captain Rich Stivrins says he and his professional crew will be on-site at the Dock Shoppe daily, all summer long to greet and serve their customers scooped ice cream, fresh-cut fries, poutine, BBQ and other delicious treats.
“I am looking forward to our passengers dropping by this season on land, enjoying a snack and their experiences in this unusual season. We will have the Chief Commanda II in shipshape for our launch next May 2021."
“It is with great disappointment and deep regret that we are unable to cruise this season. This pandemic results in an interruption of over 70 years of the Chief Commanda I and II providing enjoyable and spectacular cruises on Lake Nipissing," says Georgian Bay Cruise Company President Martha Dion. "I look forward to the 2021 season when we can continue to provide a safe and fun way to once again, discover the wonders of our beautiful lake."
Stivrins told CKAT that a number of people will be without jobs.
"We'll do what we can to employ as many as we can with the dock shop open but there definitely a lot of folks out of work. we usually have around 15 full-time staff and when you count part-timers we're probably closer to 25 by the time we make our way through the season. We're looking at four to five at the dock shop so quite a few."
Initially, officials had hoped to salvage some of the sailing seasons but it was not meant to be. Due to the pandemic, Transport Canada has mandated that cruise ships can only start operating after June 30. The Chief Commanda II intended to begin operations in July but this idea has been abandoned.
Due to those "directives and Covid-19 operating protocols, it does not appear as though a successful, safe, and enjoyable cruise season can be provided."
The Chief Commanda II is a 320-passenger vessel, offering scenic and sunset cruises on Lake Nipissing and the French River, featuring Callander Bay and Manitou Islands.
