Slow down and save a lot of money.
That is what is happening with the Chi Cheemaun as soaring fuel costs torpedo the bottom line at the Owen Sound Transportation Company.
General Manager Susan Schrempf says they are predicting diesel fuel prices to exceed $1.50 a litre this summer and that is a 50 to 75% in costs over last year.
She says they are reluctant to impose a fuel surcharge to help cover the cost of fuel because that would discourage people from taking the ferry.
Schrempf says in order to reduce costs the ferry now will operate on just two engines which should result in a saving of more than 6,000 litres of fuel every day.
She says when you factor in a 74-day summer sailing season that results in a substantial saving.
Schrempf says by operating on just two of the vessels four engines, that will add about 15 minutes to the crossing from Tobermory to South Bay Mouth on Manatoulin Island.
However she says that time can be made up at during the loading and unloading period as they are handling about 7 per cent less traffic this year compared to a year ago.
Schrempf says an additional benefit of operating on just two engines is reduced exhaust emissions from the ship.
She says there will be a 30% reduction in emissions compared to one year ago.
