This guide will help you to understand the simple steps you can take when travelling with us – and the emergency procedures we operate. If you have any questions at all – please speak to a member of our port staff or our crew on board the vessel. We are here to help and support you. 

• As we begin our journey, a passenger safety announcement will play on board. Please give this your full attention. 

• Take a moment to locate your nearest Assembly Station. They are indicated by the sign shown below. Share this with any other members of your party.  

• Pay attention to any further safety announcements made, and the safety notices displayed around the vessel.  

• If you’re travelling with children, please make sure they are always supervised.  

• When moving around the ferry, make sure

  • the children in your party don’t run or climb anywhere on board. 

  • to use the handrails provided.

  • take extra care on the stairs and when entering spaces with raised door sills to avoid tripping.

• When winds are strong, or if the ferry is subject to other kinds of movement, please be cautious – this can cause external doors to close suddenly, so remember to keep hands clear of door enclosures.

• If you feel unwell, sometimes the centre of the ferry can be more comfortable – it’s subject to less movement than the bow, stern or side.

• If you need First Aid or support due to feeling unwell, please speak with a member of the crew – they’re trained to support you.

• Our crews carry out day-to-day maintenance to keep our vessels safe. Please be aware that some equipment may be greased, oiled, or even freshly painted, which may cause damage to clothing / personal items. Please follow signage, where provided.

• The general emergency signal is seven or more short blasts, followed by one long blast on the ship’s whistle or alarm bell. In the unlikely event it is sounded, remain calm and make your way to an Assembly Station, which is indicated by the green sign shown above.  

• Once there, you’ll be given a lifejacket and shown how to put it on.  

• Our crew is trained to assist you. Follow their instructions at all times.

• If you require help, make this known to a crew member.

• Our ferries are equipped with a variety of safety equipment – for example, lifeboats, self-inflating life rafts, passenger escape slides, lifebuoys, and fast rescue craft. In the unlikely event of an emergency, our crew will instruct and advise you. Never attempt to abandon the ship unless specifically instructed to do so by the crew. 

• You’ll ordinarily board the ferry by the Passenger Access System or gangway. Please hold handrails and avoid carrying heavy luggage.  

• Some ferry decks feature raised or sunken lashing points and other trip hazards. Be sure to watch your step at all times, and use the designated walkways, where provided.  

• Hold the handrails, where provided. On ferries, stairways can often be much steeper than you are used to. They can also present a hazard when wet.  

• On open decks and when using doorways with raised sills, take extra care and watch your step.  

• Be mindful of your footwear – flip flops, cycling shoes, and heels are not suited to climbing stairs or crossing decks. You can consider using a lift to access passenger areas where available.

• Dismount before boarding, and walk your bike along ramps, piers, slipways and on board. Riding on these surfaces is hazardous. 

• If you’re uncertain where to secure your bike on board, ask a member of crew.

• Cycling shoes can be slippery on ferry decks and some surfaces – please take extra care and use handrails wherever possible.  

• If travelling with a motorhome, campervan, caravan or trailer, read our important safety information before you travel.

• Have everything you need for your journey on board the vessel ready prior to embarking, so you can leave your vehicle promptly. Passengers are not allowed on the vehicle decks of certain ships / or to return to vehicles while they are at sea.

• Follow the signs to the port and vehicle marshalling area. We’ve shared some of the signals and signs our crew will use to guide you below.

• At manned ports you’ll be directed by our team – please follow their guidance at all times.  Sometimes, the regular arrangements are changed to allow for work to be carried out.

• Check the speed limit at the port and drive within it.

• Allow plenty of room to brake.

• When waiting in the car lane(s), only start your engine when directed to move off.

• Pay attention to other moving vehicles, and wet, slippery and uneven ground surfaces and decks.

• Never use a mobile ‘phone when driving at the port – or when embarking or disembarking the ferry. 

• Turn on dipped headlights before driving onto or off a vehicle deck – this makes high-visibility clothing worn by our crew and vehicle deck markings more visible to you.  

• Disable your vehicle alarm to avoid activation on passage. Your vehicle manual will provide more details.

• Double check your handbrake or parking brake is applied before switching your engine on or off. 

• Take care when leaving your vehicle. Use designated walkways. Avoid the paths of other moving vehicles.

• Equipment on vehicle decks, such as mezzanine cabling, may be greased or oiled, which may cause damage to clothing and personal items. Please take care when walking past equipment when leaving and returning to your vehicle.

• If driving a slower moving vehicle - please consider allowing other drivers to pass before leaving the Port. 

Please follow the instructions of the deck crew at all times and to proceed with caution whenever manoeuvring a vehicle on our vessels.  

1. Gain attention – Both arms of crew member are extended horizontally parallel with deck. 

2. Move forward - One or both arms of the crew member are bent with palm facing forward towards themselves - and forearms making slow movements towards the body. 

3. Move backwards - Both arms bent with the palms facing outwards towards the driver of the vehicle - with the forearms making slow movements away from the crew member’s body. 

4. Move left - Crew member’s arm extended to indicate direction towards their left. 

5. Move right - Crew member’s arm is extended to indicate direction towards their right. 

6. Indicate lane – Crew member will use relevant arm to indicate relevant traffic lane, sweep arm in fore and aft direction. 

7. Slow down – Crew member’s forearms held in from of body, parallel with the ground, make slow movements downwards. 

8. Relative distance - Hand held apart in driver's view showing relative distance. 

9. Stop - One hand in the air, palm facing forward. 

10. Emergency stop - Both hands in the air, palms facing forward. 

11. Apply handbrake / parking brake - Lifting motion with one arm, simulating lifting handbrake. 

12. Thumbs up – end of operation.