General Information
Passenger Rights
Rights of Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility
EU Regulation 1177/2010 became applicable on December 18th 2012. This Regulation aims to provide disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility (PRM’s) the same opportunities to travel by water as they have in other transport sectors across the EU. This document outlines your rights, the responsibility of the operator (Stena Line) and how complaints should be handled under the Regulation. Further detailed guidance on EU Regulation – Chapter II can be found in the form of guidance documents on the following website:
GB : Maritime Coastguard Agency: MCA Website
Right to Transport and Assistance
Your request to travel cannot be refused solely on the grounds of a disability, or reduced mobility, and you are entitled to travel at no extra cost, under the same conditions that apply to all other passengers.
You are entitled to certain assistance both in port and on board ship. This includes assistance boarding and/or leaving the ship, assistance with baggage and/or any specific medical equipment that you may be carrying, and also assistance in making your way to toilet facilities. Where a passenger has notified Stena Line (either during the website booking process or call centre) of the need for assistance they will receive a confirmation by e-
Notice of booking requests
To ensure that all of your requirements can be met, and that there are no travel restrictions that may affect you, you should make all booking requests as early as possible but at the very least 48 hours before you are due to travel. You should notify Stena Line of the nature of your disability and of any specific requirements that you may have e.g. particular seating or accommodation, adapted facilities, carriage of specific medical equipment. It must be noted that there may be restrictions on carrying certain equipment e.g. medical oxygen, mattresses, electrical equipment which should be pre-
After assessing your specific requirements, Stena Line may require that you are accompanied by an individual that can assist you during the journey. For ferry passengers, the accompanying person may travel free of charge.
Exceptions
Whilst every effort will be made to confirm a booking, a request to travel can be refused by Stena Line on the grounds of safety. This will usually relate to the legal requirement that all passengers can be evacuated from a vessel in under 30 minutes, though it may also be where the design of the ship, or port infrastructure, makes it impossible to carry you in a safe or operationally feasible manner.
Loss or Damage of Mobility Equipment
If damage is caused to mobility or other specific equipment, used by a disabled person or person with reduced mobility, as a result of proven fault or neglect by Stena Line then the operator is liable for the cost of repair or replacement. We should also make reasonable efforts to provide a temporary suitable replacement.
Complaint handling
Any complaints to be made under the Regulation should be directed, in the first instance, to Stena Line (staff at terminals, crew on board or our Customer Care Department). A complaint must be submitted within 2 months of the scheduled date of the service to Stena Line (Contact details below). The operator must notify the passenger within 1 month of receipt whether the complaint is substantiated, rejected or still under consideration with a final reply and decision within 2 months.
Contacting our Customer Care Department:
by e-
by telephone: 08447 70 70 70 or
by post: Customer Care Department, Stena House, Station Approach, Holyhead, Anglesey LL65 1DQ
If the complaint cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the passenger, then it may be referred to the complaint handling body. In GB the Maritime Coastguard Agency has been appointed to act as the Complaints Handling Body under the Regulations. This body will provide an evidence-
Maritime Coastguard Agency National Enforcement Body 105 Commercial Rd, Southampton
SO15 1EG
Tel: +44 2380 329 315 E-
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
National Enforcement Body Scotland/Northern Ireland
Glasgow Marine Office
1st Floor Westpoint One
Westpoint Business Park
1 Marchfield Drive
Paisley
Renfrewshire
PA3 2RB
Tel: +44 (0)141 887 6430
Fax +44 (0)141 842 1258