Designing and Operating Passenger Vessels and Passenger Shore Infrastructure:
Guidance on Meeting the Needs of Persons with Reduced Mobility

Chapter 4: Ship to shore transition

1. Enhancing accessibility
   1.1. Working together
   1.2. Sharing equipment

2. Access via passenger gangway
   2.1. Transfer by vehicle to and from terminal to ship
   2.2. Foot passengers

3. Access via car deck
   3.1. Passengers on motor vehicles

1. Enhancing accessibility

1.1. Working together

1.1.217 Port operators should work together with the vessel operators in order to create a seamless route from the entrance to the port to the moment the passenger with reduced mobility is safe on board.

1.1.218 The different legal responsibilities of both organisations should not create any gaps in the service provided. Policies, practices and procedures should prevent any situation in which a person with reduce mobility is left in a vulnerable or unsafe position.

1.2. Sharing equipment

1.1.219 Port operators together with vessel operators should ensure that boarding equipment and arrangements are compatible and accessible for all passengers.

1.1.220 Whoever is providing the equipment should make it compliant with the relevant accessibility regulations and maintain it is good working order.

2. Access via passenger gangway

2.1. Transfer by vehicle to and from terminal to ship

1.1.221 For foot passengers, the terminal or ship operator may provide courtesy transport for the shore to ship interface. This means of transport should be accessible for all passengers^[23].

2.2. Foot passengers

1.1.222 The interface between the gangway and the ship where the gangway flap enters the ship should be as near to level as possible, trip-free and covered with a non-slip surface. It should be colour contrasted to highlight the end of the gangway to assist visually impaired passengers.

1.1.223 Shore staff and/or crew member should assist disabled passengers if required. Shore staff and/or crew member should be able to request 'back up', and consideration should be given to how this will be applied to single person operated passenger vessels.

1.1.224 Vessel and gangway engineering limitations frequently require a maximum slope of 1 in 8. As a result, in tidal waters it may only be reasonable and practicable to assist disabled people on and off gangways with steep gradients at certain hours. Reasonableness of safe access will depend on a risk assessment that pays due regard to sea state, currents and tidal ranges.

1.1.225 Any restrictions to the hours at which assistance is available should be widely notified to known and intending passengers at an early opportunity, at the latest when they book.

1.1.226 Consideration should be given to the health and safety of the crew, the passenger involved, and other passengers when arranging a safe means of access to persons of reduced mobility onto the vessel.

3. Access via car deck

3.1. Passengers on motor vehicles

1.1.227 Wherever possible disabled passengers should be able to check-in without having to leave their vehicles.

1.1.228 Where there is a check-in within the terminal the disabled person, once identified, should be asked to switch on his/her vehicle's hazard warning lights before accessing the ship. This practice is generally used in all UK terminals to indicate a vehicle requiring particular attention. Once identified, the crew should endeavour to load the vehicle such that it is parked on board as near as possible to any available lift.

1.1.229 Operators should note that extra space on the driver's side or passenger's side (depending on whether the disabled person is the driver or passenger) may be needed to allow a wheelchair user to transfer to and from their car and wheelchair where they need to leave the car.

1.1.230 Extra space may also be needed by people who use walking aids or who have stiff and painful legs for example people with arthritis. Similarly, where cars are parked one behind another additional space may be needed to allow wheelchair users to get around the rear of the vehicle. The car deck itself in the vicinity of any lift or staircase should be clearly marked for disabled access.

1.1.231 Attachment points for vehicle lashings should, as far as practicable, be avoided on the routes from the parking spaces reserved for persons with reduced mobility to the accommodation facilities, these routes should be marked and have a nonslip surface in all weathers. Attachment points for vehicle lashings, when in those routes, should be painted in contrasting colours.

1.1.232 Operators should note that on Ro-Ro journeys of more than 30 minutes passengers are not allowed to remain on the car deck.

1.1.233 Assistance dogs should be allowed to accompany their owners at all times and not required to remain in the vehicle during the journey.

1.1.234 Lift guidelines apply unless they conflict with current Passenger Ship Construction Regulations^[24].

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Published: 11 September 2007 | Copyright disclaimer | Content disclaimer | © Crown copyright 2008