Vessel Accessibility
Rottnest Fast Ferries believes that discovering and exploring the island is something that everyone should be able to enjoy. We have committed ourselves in providing the finest Rottnest ferry service experience for all our guests. Our newest vessel Harbour Master is wheelchair accessible with special assistance toilets available on board.
If you require special assistance when travelling with Rottnest Fast Ferries, please notify our reservations team either by calling or emailing us before you make your booking. This allows passengers to receive the necessary service and departure information required, our crew will always go above and beyond for our passengers.
Wheelchairs
Some services are wheelchair accessible for items with a width of up to 88cm. Please ensure you let us know at the time of booking if you will be travelling with a wheelchair so we can ensure you travel on a suitable vessel. Failure to notify us of your requirements may result in the service being unavailable on arrival at the ferry terminal. Unfortunately, our courtesy coach transfer services are not wheelchair accessible, unless passengers are able to navigate stairs and have a fold up wheelchair. Please note that high tides due to bad weather may cause slight difficulty during boarding or disembarkation.
Once on the island, the main settlement (small shops, cafes and restaurants) is also accessible by wheelchair and we recommend contacting the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre on 9372 9732 to see what island tours would best suit you.
Mobility Scooter Access
Mobility scooters can be taken inside our Harbour Master vessel with a width of up to 88cm. When making your booking please tick mobility scooter so our crew can make sure there will be space in our main deck for you. The crew will be on hand to provide assistance during embarkation and disembarkation at the departure location on the day of travel.
To assist with passenger comfort and safety, any passengers who were travelling on a mobility scooter will be given priority boarding and permitted onboard the vessel first. Please see our crew on the day of travel.
Companion Card Holders
The Companion Card is issued by the National Disability Services to people with a significant and permanent disability who require attendant care support from a companion to make use of most venues and participate in activities. Rottnest Fast Ferries accepts Companion Cards to allow the companion to travel free of charge on any ferry service.
Companion card bookings cannot be processed online so to book:
Companion cardholders simply call or email our reservations team and advise that they are companion cardholders. We will need the companion card number and expiry at time of booking.
On the day of travel present your companion card to our reservations team at our ticketing office to collect your boarding passes.
Prams
The ability to take prams on board the vessel will vary depending on the particular vessel in use and the capacity of the service. In most circumstances, it is possible for children travelling in a pram to remain in the pram on board the vessel. However if the service is particularly busy, the pram may be requested to be folded and stowed securely, with the child seated with their parent or guardian. When permitted on board, prams must be able to travel along the gangway and fit through the vessel doorway (max 88cm). If the pram cannot fit, it must be folded and stowed securely.
Service Dog Assistance
A Service Dog is trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability. Service Dogs include Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Assistance Dogs. Service dogs travel free of charge on all Rottnest Fast Ferries services however as Rottnest Island is an A Class reserve you should contact the Rangers on Rottnest (08) 9372 9788 to advise them of the service dog.
ATIC Accessibility Report
To support the accessible community in making informed travel decisions for their individual needs.
The following ATIC accessibility report provides travellers with information on the businesses facilities and amenities which aims to support the traveller to make an informed decision on whether the business is suitable for their individual needs.
OVERVIEW
Business Overview
The business has the following products/services available
Tour/Transport
Our business caters for the following disability types:
Blind or low vision
Deaf or low hearing
Limited mobility
Wheelchairs or mobility scooters
Food allergies or intolerances
Bookings
The business offers the following methods for bookings and enquiries:
Phone
Email
Web portal
Our website supports Screen Readers
Our forms have high contract boxes and submit boxes
Emergency Management
Emergency and evacuation procedures are explained on arrival
There are Audible device/s to alert occupants to evacuate with instructions on how to evacuate.
There are visual device/s to alert occupants to evacuate.
Exit signs are clear and easy to see
Exits and access to exists are greater than 900mm
Exit doors are able to be opened by all occupants
Exits to the emergency evacuation point does not include stairways
The evacuation point is clearly marked by a sign
The business identifies guests who need additional assistance should an emergency occur by:
When the customer approaches the crew to inform them of accessibility issues
The procedure for assisting guests who need assisted rescue is: N/A
Communications
Our business offers the following alternative communication methods
Plain English
In person communications
There is easy to read signage and information (e.g. menus and emergency information)
Other Information
For bookings made onsite, the ticket booth/counter/box office is accessible for people using a wheelchair
The business accepts the companion card
The business provides the following services for services animals:
A Service Dog is trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability. Service Dogs include Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Assistance Dogs. Service dogs travel free of charge on all Rottnest Fast Ferries services however as Rottnest Island is an A Class reserve you should contact the Rangers on Rottnest (08) 9372 9788 to advise them of the service dog.
GENERAL
Pre-arrival, arrival and reception
The business has the following in place to support guests during pre-arrival, arrival and reception
Booking information and websites are compatible with screen readers
There is a reception/public entryway.
A tablet with text to voice or pen and paper at reception to aid in communication
Picture Board at reception to aid in communication
Access is in person and forms/bookings are created by customer service not customer
Information and maps are available in written form
Luggage assistance
The following steps are in place to ensure that people with fatigue related to their disability are not disadvantaged by long wait times:
Boarding available 30 minutes prior to departure
Cognitive Impairment Support
Documents are available in plain English for people with cognitive impairment (This may include instructions, guides, menus and general information)
Quiet periods or early opening times for people on the Autism Spectrum
Car Park and Access amenities
The business has the following Car Park and Access amenities
A drop off zone
Designated disabled parking bays
Kerb ramps are in place where a pavement or walkway needs to be crossed
In addition, the following further information can assist guests: Map of where reception is situated in the harbour in relation to the car park and surrounding buildings
Displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances
For displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances the following amenities are in place
Seating
Wheelchair accessible spaces/seating
A written transcript where audio description is provided i.e. display commentary, tour commentary
External Paths
External paths of travel have the following amenities are in place
Surfaces are concrete, asphalt, smooth paving or hard packed fine gravel (max aggregate size 13mm)
Paths or slopes longer than 15 metres have resting places or seats
Pathways are wider than 900mm
Steps
Steps have the following amenities are in place
There are steps.
Top and bottom steps are easily distinguished through colour contrast or the use of TGSIs (Tactile Ground Surface Indicators)
All steps or staircases have enclosed risers
The underside of all staircases are enclosed or protected to a height of at least 2 metres
Handrails fitted to all open sets of steps
Ramps
Ramps have the following amenities are in place
There are ramps.
Hand rails are fitted
Temporary ramps are available
Temporary ramps are in place for the duration of the guests stay
Public Toilets/Adult change facilities
Public Toilets/Adult change facilities have the following amenities are in place
There is an accessible toilet for public use
The door is at least 850mm wide
There is 630mm mm beside the toilet
Handrails are fitted
The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
There is 1400mm mm of clear space in front of the toilet
The height of the toilet seat is: 420mm.
TOUR OPERATORS
Tour/Transport Services
The tour/transport services have the following facilities/amenities in place
Busses/Coaches
1 vehicles have wheelchair lifts or ramps
1 vehicles have low floors with ramped entry
The maximum wheelchair capacity available in the fleet is: 1-3
Commentary is available in written format
Audio visual displays are sub titles
Route Planning
There is an accessible toilet on-board for public use
The door is at least 850mm wide
There is 630mm mm beside the toilet
Handrails are fitted
The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
There is 1400 mm of clear space in front of the toilet
The height of the toilet seat is 420mm.
Guides
Use of clear/simple English
Correct pronunciation for lip readers
Report Disclaimer
This report is intended as guidance only, if you require further information, or plan to book a trip, please contact our reservation staff before making any booking.
Phone: (+61) 08 9246 1039
Email: reservations@rottnestfastferries.com.au
Ferry Terminal:
Shop 56 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour, HILLARYS WA 6025
Please note that this business report, provided as a result of the use of the diagnostic assessment, is for information purposes only.
Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) cannot guarantee the accuracy of respondent’s answers, or that they are fully representative of your business. Therefore, ATIC does not warrant or guarantee any particular outcome in respect of your businesses self-assessment.
This report is intended as guidance only for your business and should not be relied on for future marketing considerations. ATIC recommends that you seek your own independent advice as well as the results from the diagnostic.
Links to external web sites are inserted for convenience and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites, or any associated organisation, product or service.
ATIC does not:
a) Assume any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information from this report or any links provided; or
b) Accept responsibility for any loss associated directly or indirectly from the use of this report