Vessels
The passenger/vehicle ferry M.V. BLOCK ISLAND and our High-Speed ferries M.V. ATHENA and M.V. ISLANDER provide the easiest boarding access, as well as access to restrooms, and all other amenities available aboard our vessels. Please contact our reservation office at (401) 783-4613 for specific departure times of the above referenced vessels.
The M.V. BLOCK ISLAND features wheelchair and disabled access from the vehicle deck to the main passenger cabin via a wheelchair lift. The main passenger cabins provide large accommodations, excellent views, accessible restrooms, and food and beverage service.
Our high-speed ferry ATHENA is wheelchair accessible to its main passenger decks, which provide large accommodations, excellent views, accessible restrooms, and food and beverage service.
Our high-speed ferry ISLANDER is wheelchair accessible to its main passenger decks, which provide large accommodations, excellent views, accessible restrooms, and food and beverage service.
For those travelling on the passenger/vehicle ferry vessels M.V. CAROL JEAN and M.V. ANNA C., there are no wheelchair accessible restrooms on those vessels. Passengers whom are confined to wheelchairs or are disabled may remain in their vehicles during the crossing or may be assisted by the crew to the upper main passenger decks. Food and beverage services are available from uniformed crew members for those passengers desiring to remain on the vehicle deck.
Service Animals are permitted aboard all of our vessels and inside our ticket offices.
Reservations
Reservations can be made over the telephone for both the vehicle and passenger only ferries (During the summer season, reservations are recommended for the high-speed ferry ATHENA). When making a vehicle or passenger reservation over the telephone, tell the reservation agents your accessibility requirements and they will assist you in choosing the right vessel for your needs. When making passenger reservations online, we recommend choosing the M.V. BLOCK ISLAND or ATHENA.
Persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may be connected to our reservation call center through a third-party provider of text telephone relay service (TRS). Please contact your TRS provider and ask that they contact us at (866) 783-7996 or (401) 783-4613, for all of your reservation needs (vehicle and passenger).
Please note: Vessel schedules are subject to change without notice. Please call ahead to verify specific vessel departure times:
Arriving at the terminal
We recommend that you arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time. When you arrive at the terminal it is important to tell the booth attendant your accessibility requirements so they can stage your vehicle in the correct lane. When purchasing your ticket, advise the ticket agent of your requirements and they will verify that you have been properly staged for boarding. For walk on passengers, please inform the ticket agent of your requirements, and you will be offered boarding assistance.
Boarding the vessel
Upon boarding the vessel, notify the terminal employee or vessel crewmember collecting tickets of your accessibility requirements. This will assist them in choosing the most convenient location to park your vehicle. If you need any assistance during the trip, please notify a crewmember.
Vessel Safety Announcement
The following safety information is normally provided through the public address system at the beginning of each ferry crossing. It is provided here for the hearing impaired:
Welcome aboard the Block Island Ferry. Because sea conditions may be rough, we ask that passengers keep their movement throughout the vessel to a minimum. If you need assistance please contact one of our uniformed crewmembers. This thirteen mile trip will take approximately fifty-five minutes, at a speed of 16.5 knots. Coast Guard regulations require that we inform you as to the locations of life preservers on the vessel. Life preservers, with posted instructions are located on all passenger decks, in lockers that are clearly marked. We ask that you do not open these lockers unless instructed to do so by the crew. For your safety and the security of the vessel, regulations require that passengers remain topside and off of the vehicle deck while the vessel is underway. Passengers are asked to keep carry-on luggage with them at all times during the trip. We encourage you to report any suspicious activity to the nearest crewmember. Smoking is permitted on exterior decks only. For your safety, we request that all passengers use caution when opening exterior doors and remain clear of all stairways until the vessel is secured to the dock. We also ask that you keep your children from running, while the vessel is underway, and that you keep your pets leashed and off of the tables and seats. We hope that you have an enjoyable trip and thank you for sailing on the Block Island Ferry.
Availability of a Complaints Resolution Official
In any situation in which any person complains or raises a concern with an Interstate Navigation Company employee about discrimination, policies, or services with respect to passengers with a disability, and the employee does not immediately resolve the issue to the customer’s satisfaction or provide a requested accommodation, the customer has the right to contact Interstate Navigation Company’s Complaints Resolution Officer (“CRO”). The employee will provide the customer with the CRO’s name and phone number in a format the customer can use. The employee will also offer access to an Interstate Navigation Company phone for the purpose of contacting the CRO at no cost to the customer.
The CRO has the authority to resolve complaints on behalf of Interstate Navigation Company. The CRO is intended to be Interstate Navigation Company’s “expert” on compliance with accessibility Regulations and has the authority to overrule decisions made by other employees, except that the CRO may not countermand a decision by the master of a vessel with respect to safety matters.
Interstate Navigation Company has designated Christian Myers to be its CRO. Mr. Myers’ office is at the Point Judith ferry terminal, and his telephone number is (401) 783-4613, extension 193. If Mr. Myers does not answer the phone, the customer should leave a voicemail with a return phone number. If Mr. Myers does not promptly return the customer’s phone call, the customer should contact the alternate CRO. Interstate Navigation Company has designated William McCombe as alternate CRO. Mr. McCombe has an office at the Block Island ferry terminal and may be reached at (401) 466-8811.
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