MOST IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Carers accompanying passengers must be aware of and capable of providing for the passengers’ care and medical needs. They must also be familiar with this document.
Booking parties should get their group to the quay at least 20 minutes before the scheduled sailing time. Do not try to enter the secure marina area unescorted. Please stay on the quay until you are met by Dolphin crew.
The duty skipper for the day of sailing will contact booking parties a day or so in advance to answer any questions, check details, give advice and to provide contact details for any changes that may occur. Any subsequent booking party cancellations or changes must be advised to the duty skipper as soon as they are known.
If booking parties wish to make changes or experience unavoidable delays and the duty skipper cannot be contacted, the boat’s emergency number 07575 473610 may be used from 10:00 to 16:00 on normal working days during the season.
Booking parties are responsible for safely getting passengers from the quay to the vessel and back again at the end of the trip. Dolphin crew will provide a safety briefing and may be able to assist if requested.
As far as reasonably practical, booking parties should perform their own risk assessment for the embarking and disembarking process. Contact the booking secretary if you need in assistance in this regard.
Be aware that passengers must wear secured lifejackets prior to leaving the quay and until they return to the quay so they should dress appropriately to accommodate this. Skirts or dresses should be avoided. Carers should assist passengers in fitting lifejackets if required. Dolphin crew will provide guidance.
Any party who books more than one trip in a season should ensure that different passengers benefit from each occasion.
Wheelchairs must be of conventional design and dimensions and have effective brakes.
PROCEDURE FOR THE SAFE PASSAGE OF DOLPHIN PASSENGERS FROM THE QUAY TO THE BOAT
AND FURTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION. (Revised 2021)
The responsibility for transferring passengers from the Quay to the boat lies with the organisations or individuals who have booked a trip on Dolphin 1V. Dolphin 1V crew will assist with the transfer and the following guidelines are designed to help everyone make this process as smooth and safe as possible.
ON THE QUAYSIDE.
1. Unloading a mini bus in the small lay-by opposite the Marina office can be very tricky as there is usually a lot of traffic movement on the road. Groups are advised to give clear signals that the unloading of passengers is taking place and to organise safe exit from the vehicle to the pavement facing the Marina office
2. Crew members will assist as requested. They wear distinctive yellow shirts clearly marked Dolphin1V and usually wait at the top of the ramp. If there is nobody there, please ring the boat mobile 07585 473610 and a member of crew will attend as soon as possible. Please wait at the top of the ramp. The marina staff have a duty to give priority to their normal visitors. Dolphin1V is a “guest boat” and cannot always be accommodated near the office and within sight of the Quay.
3. The safest way for all passengers to move from the Quay to the Dolphin is in small groups of no more than 2/3, accompanied where possible by members of the visiting organisation or if agreed, by a member of the crew of Dolphin111. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should unaccompanied groups try to access the Poole Quay Haven Marina ramp.
4. From May 2017, some passengers may be asked by the skipper on the Day to assemble on the Quayside opposite the Thistle Hotel. There will be a board marked DOLPHIN to indicate the spot and a member / members of the Dolphin crew will meet groups there. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should groups try and access the Fisherman’s Ramp.
POOLE QUAY BOAT HAVEN.
1. Group leaders are advised to be aware of the need for tight control of groups of people in this area.
2. Groups or individuals going into the marina are subject to marina regulations. A copy of these is attached (See note in red at the end). The group leader must sign the visitors book in the office both on arrival and departure; by doing so groups are acknowledging that they agree to abide by marina regulations.
3. Marina staff are under instructions not to allow any passengers access to the marina without the initial agreement of a crew member. There is a combination number for the gate to which only crew have access. The gates are locked for security reasons and crew members are not allowed to disclose the number to visitors who are not berth holders.
4. Particular care should be taken on the pontoons as they can be slippy and at times move under the pressure of the tide. Those with walking sticks or Zimmer frames should be aware that there are gaps in the pontoons which need to be avoided. Passengers manoeuvring their own wheelchairs should proceed very slowly and stay close to the accompanying crew or staff member. It is strongly recommended that electric wheelchair users switch to manual control.
RISK ASSESSMENT.
1. Organisations are strongly advised to undertake a Risk Assessment of the issues involving moving from the quay to the boat. Clearly the needs of each group will vary on each trip: the assessment therefore will need to take account of the needs of each individual.
2. Bearing in mind the consequences of passengers falling off the pontoons Dolphin recommends that lifejackets be worn if at all possible: these will be made available by the crew.
3. It is very difficult to rescue any person from the water especially if they are in a wheelchair. It helps if they are not strapped in and are wearing a lifejacket. Dolphin recognises however that this is not always possible as some passengers could be at greater risk if unrestrained and putting on lifejackets is an awkward procedure for seated people.
4. The risks are however minimised if passsengers are escorted from the quay to the boat and Dolphin crew will assist with this.
5. If you have concerns about any particular passenger please discuss with the Skipper who will normally ring a few days before the visit or contact the Booking Secretary on 07585 476250 or email tripsondolphin@gmail.com or contact Norman Hollamby on 01202 676506
ON BOARD DOLPHIN 1V.
1. Once aboard Dolphin the attention of all organisations is drawn to the following
extract from the Dolphin Trust Health and Safety Policy:
“Inevitably passengers carried on Dolphin 1V will have a variety of special needs particularly concerning health. It is the responsibility of the visiting organisation to provide the appropriate support and help to meet those needs. Dolphin 1V provides a safe environment in which passengers can enjoy a trip round the Harbour or up the river to Wareham. The wearing of lifejackets is necessary on such trips and are provided to be worn for operational reasons. All visitors will be expected to follow the instructions of the skipper and his crew regarding safe practice on the boat.”
2. Crew members wear lifejackets at all times.
SAFEGUARDING.
Groups should be aware that, as for other Charities, Dolphin has a safeguarding policy. It can be seen when requested. Our Safeguarding Officer is Tony Elgar and can be contacted on 01202 849325.
Organisations using Dolphin are invited to contact him if they believe that any current Dolphin practices do not meet their own safeguarding standards.
PARKING
There are a few disabled parking places nearby. Alternatively there is paid parking either at the Thistle Hotel or the Multi story car park on Poole High Street nearby; or slightly further away on Baiter Park. PLEASE ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME FOR PARKING.
CANCELLATION ON THE DAY OF THE TRIP
In the event that you need to cancel on the day of the trip, please telephone DOLPHIN IV with the mobile number that you will find at the bottom of the sheet marked MOST IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
DATA PROTECTION
Under the terms of the new Data Regulations, by giving us details of name, contact number and E Mail address you are agree that we may keep this information for a minimum of two years. You may, at any time, should there be any amendment required or that you wish your details deleted, put this request in writing to the Booking Secretary.
THIS DOCUMENT.
This document is prepared to assist both organisers and those who accompany groups
on a visit.
THIS DOCUMENT.
This document is prepared to assist both organisers and those who accompany groups on a visit.
The Poole Boat Haven Terms and Conditions can be found on the web site under the Booking Page and the Front Page.