LAKE NAVIGATION

Vehicles used in lake navigation are generally called “boats” and can be of different types: hydroplane, boat, catamaran, motor ship, motorboat and ferryboat.
Generally, a disabled passenger should consider the following aspects:

Presence of boats accessible to people with disabilities
Accessibility of wharfs
Information on arrival/departure time of accessible boats
Ticket office accessibility

Now, let’s analyse these aspects in detail:

1) Presence of accessible boats

The study hasn’t pointed out the presence of boats specifically equipped for disabled people.
Boat accessibility is generally granted by the following characteristics:

Gangways to get on/off the boat
Lift (only for boats with several levels)
Absence of passages with reduced width (< 75 cm)
Disabled toilet (only on bigger boats)

2) Wharfs accessibility

The main problem that we’ve found in order to get on/off a boat is the gap between the boat and the wharf. Such gap can be eliminated thanks to gangways.
It is important that gangways:

Are large enough to let a wheelchair pass (at least 70 cm)
Are not too sloping (maximum gradient: 8%)
Are made of anti-sliding material
Have side handles

Wharf accessibility can be prevented by:

Presence of steps and other barriers to reach it
Crazy paving or surfaces made with materials that are not suitable for wheelchair passage or for people with physical impairments (gravel, sand, etc.)

3) Arrival/departure time of accessible boats

Transport operators do not have schedules concerning arrival/departure time of accessible boats
We suggest contacting the company in order to:

Ask information on the arrival/departure time of accessible boats during the day (this is valid for Navigazione Laghi Maggiore, Garda and Como)
Require a boat equipped for disabled people on a line on a certain day and time (this is valid for Navigazione Lago d’Iseo)

4) Ticket office accessibility

The main ticket offices of companies operating lake navigation are the infrastructures where you can buy tickets or to get information on prices, boats and schedules.
We suggest contacting the relative companies in order to ask for information on accessibility of ticket offices and wharfs.