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

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