A wheelchair user is urging DFDS to urgently repair a lift on one of its fast ferries after being left unable to board the vessel – and forced to endure a nine-hour slow boat to England instead.
James Bedding, a commercial drone aerial photographer, was booked to travel to Poole on 28 May.
However, he was informed by the Danish ferry operator that the passenger lift onboard Levante Jet was out of service – and would not be operational until the end of May at the earliest.
“This situation is completely unacceptable for anyone with a disability, as well as for elderly passengers who rely on lift access to board and disembark the ship,” said Mr Bedding.
“It effectively prevents disabled and elderly passengers from using the DFDS fast ferry to the UK during this period.”
Left with few options, Mr Bedding decided to accept an alternative sailing via the Portsmouth route – a ferry journey that could take up to nine hours instead of four.
The islander told Express that transferring from his wheelchair to a bed is “not straightforward”, meaning he will remain seated the entire time.
“This will cause significant discomfort, fatigue, and poses a serious impact on my health and wellbeing,” he continued.
“Unfortunately, I have no choice but to accept this longer journey, as I am connecting to a long-anticipated holiday, booked over two years ago.
“It goes without saying, this situation has caused huge disappointment and unnecessary distress.”
Mr Bedding said he understood that “things happen” and “lifts break down” – but described the current repair timeframe as “unacceptable”.
“A lot of people rely on the lift – elderly people, people with prams and wheelchair users especially,” he added, highlighting that air travel was not always a “feasible” alternative.
“As a wheelchair user, a lot of people I know would rather take a four hour journey to get to the UK on a boat because it’s easier and less hassle than getting taken out of your chair and manhandled into a plane seat,” he said.
A DFDS spokesperson said there was no update since a statement issued earlier this month, which explained that the passenger lift was awaiting parts for its repair that were “expected to arrive in a few weeks”.
“Passengers travelling on this route are being contacted and offered alternative travel arrangements to and from the UK,” the statement added.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and are doing our best to deliver passengers to their destinations with minimal disruption.”
