Wightlink introduces car deck policy

Very concerned about this from a personal viewpoint as when travelling on the ferry with my carbon-fibre road bike I'm unable to leave it unattended as it will easily fall over due to the massive vibrations from the engines. There is nowhere this type of cycle can be safely stored onboard and I know that Wightlink will not want to incur any insurance claims for damage to by bike if left unattended. Looks like we have an impasse here?

End of an era.
Bet the last day makes News at ten.

With respect Dan, I think we all need to consider what this story is about. Wightlink no longer want to make routine aannoucements before departure. We can all envisage ways they could permit people to make an informed decision about staying in their car. Nobody is talking about emergency announcements - which could still be made and heard, or about tricky weather or anything else - least of all a situation that's never happened and that would also be extremely dangerous on a crowded, standing only passenger deck if it ever did happen.

IW Radio says they've also announced they want disabled passengers to give them two days notice of travelling - which sounds like discrimination to me.

It all sounds a lot like Wigtlink trying to make their life easier instead of offering a better se

Be care full everyone coming back late and dark no pa saying ferry had docked made way down to lower deck to find all cars gone upper deck started coming down scary

David - from what I read elsewhere it would seem then that the Red Funnel captain would be breaking the law "at his discretion" - this hazardous goods thing may simply be guidance, but I think the journeys lasting over 40mins issue is a rule that Red Funnel have to obey if they wish to keep their operating license? Could be wrong, only based on things other people have said.

Have to say though that I really don't think travelling in your car on the car desk sounds like an especially safe way to travel..there may have never been a major incident with an IOW car ferry, but it could happen, and if that incident meant cars jolted and slid then you couldn't open your door you wouldn't be in a very good situation.

Dan - the point was, I have used Wightlink exclusively for the last 3 years so that we can stay in the car if we want. There's no point now.
As it happens, if you ask Red Funnel when boarding, staying in the car is "at the captain's discretion" - we done if before, but you can't plan on doing so.

I'm pretty sure Red Funnel won't benefit from this as their journey already has a "you can't stay in your car policy" as far as I'm aware. I believe it's something to do with the journey being more than 40mins.

good idea - i look forward to using wightlink's special lanes for cars with young children on board - because without extra space on either side of the car its nigh on impossible to get the kids in or out...

Interesting title to the story. Wightlink have always had a car deck policy - it's just that it allowed passengers to stay there.
The MCA *guidance* (not a rule or law - just guidance?) looks like a red herring. I wonder why Wightlink are so happy to change their policy - staying in the car is a ley reason why many people use their service. Got work to do? Phone calls to make? Kids asleep? Packed ferry? Just stay in the car.
James Fulford will be pleased - Red Funnel will be getting some business back I expect.

I decided to take my daughter over by car for her next op at QA by car to the QA in case she is not up to getting out as this one is Day Surgery but still quite invasive surgery, apart from the f'in and jeff'in everyone was subject to after the last general anaesthetic I think Wightlink might be able to reverse this decision!

Here's a thought. Are there enough seats for everyone? Is that s legal requirement? Have been on a few ferries where it was standing room only.

I think a bridge or tunnel is now needed

Well I am one of the many disabled people who travel to the Island and I know for a fact there is not enough car deck spaces on the ships for many disabled people to use the lifts.
Also on the monster St Clare sometimes the lifts have not been working.
Also a lot of elderly people do not really want to have to mix with noisy children or go and sit outside with the smokers.
I feel it's now time for Andrew Turner to make a real stand against Wightlink and I feel their licence to operate should now be taken away and the whole firm be split up.
Maybe the West Wight should now own Lymington to Yarmouth.

Last time I was on the ferry, I wanted a cup of tea, some toast and a Choccy bar. I apologised as I only had a twenty pound note on me but the nice lady told me it was ok, I could put the choccy bar back.

The modern age is so tedious sometimes.
Sorry I lied, its most of the time. Sick of rules, sick ....

I guess their policy is all about safety and not to get passengers to spend more money at the cafe/bar.

I do not think this is a policy to help the Neibours it looks to me like another ploy to get people out of the cars and in to the onboard shop.
Lets face it Wightlink are struggling hence the winter service being adopted early and any customer on the car deck wont spend money or even be tempted so they make it compulsory .
Nice one wightlink always thinking of your customers first

"Guidance from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency means we have to clear the car-deck of all passengers whenever we are carrying hazardous goods such as aerosol deodorants, hairspray, and fire extinguishers"

I saw a little old lady carrying hairspray & deodarant around the supermarket, should we have evacuated the shop?

Is there a fuel tank on the ferries?

Is there a fuel tank on every passenger vehicle that boards the ferries?

Is there a fuel tank on every goods vehicles that boards the ferries?

Is there a fuel tank on every motorcycle that boards the ferries?

No? Ok then, I guess these tanks are not classed as hazardous goods as we sit on top of them every day with no worries, why should some hairspray bother us!

I do think this ridiculous, I think people should just get used to it. The noise is no different to living near a railway line, or along a busy road. I expect people living in Fairlee Road are constantly fed up with the noise of the traffic. Wightlink should be doing all what they can to help people like Alex Kelly, a paying customer!

Be OK when we get the bridge in the now very near future :-)

GREAT BUT what about Disabled ferry passengers on the Isle of Wight who will have to notify the companies they are travelling with TWO DAYS before they sail, under new EU regulations set to come into effect on 18 December. IF they dont THEY MAY NOT be allowed to travel. !!!!!!!!!!

• Well this is going to be very interesting. I can’t walk. I can’t use a wheel chair as their too low to get back out off. I can only use my mobility scooter which needs at least two strong people to get it out of my car. This scooter is a class 3 the largest and heaviest there is. Is Wight Link staff going to give me a fireman’s lift to the upper decks and back again? Wight link yet again obviously haven’t thought this out properly. Well a little heads up to all Wight Link staff I can tell you know I will stay in my car just like I have done for the last 20+ years and you can whisper the announcements to me in my ear if you like!

Will this apply to the Prison vans transporting lags to and from IoW prison? LOL!

Any views or opinions presented in the comments above are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the Isle of Wight County Press.