“The Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, with the competent bodies, has worked at a political level on the Presidential Decree (PD) that we want to submit in the autumn and which concerns amendments to the PDs of 2011 and 2001 for conventional ships and high-speed vessels respectively, in the context of the inclusion of people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility. Our goal is a friendlier and more inclusive coastal shipping, in everything that has to do with these people, but also our ports,” said the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, after the meeting he had this morning with the President of the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities (E.S.AmeA), Ioannis Vardakastanis, and the President of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN), Dionysis Theodoratos.
The Minister announced that the relevant draft PD is in the final stages of preparation and will form the basis for the implementation of mandatory accessibility rules on passenger ships. Its preparation is based on the guidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the National Action Plan for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The new PD will include – among others – the following interventions:
Ramps with a maximum slope of 5% for safe wheelchair movement.
Elevators of appropriate dimensions with audible/visual indications.
Elevators where installing an elevator is not possible.
WC with signage, handrails and help call system.
Cabins with free turning circle and special beds.
Passenger and vehicle seats with a clear percentage for people with reduced mobility.
Strong color contrast on doors, edges and stairs for people with vision problems.
“There is not enough time in the future to let something like this continue to exist, as it exists now,” Mr. Kikilias said, clarifying that specific timelines have already been given to the Ministry’s services.
Furthermore, he announced the expansion of the consultation with the Federation representing tourist ships, day boats and ferry boats, noting that, despite the technical difficulties in these specific categories, “in any case, we must always think first and foremost that we must approach and treat these people with respect, professionalism and love.”
The following are the detailed statements of the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, the President of the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities and the President of the Passenger Shipping Companies Association.
Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy:
“I would like to warmly thank the President of the Hellenic Confederation of Disabled Persons and the President of SEEN, for the very constructive meeting we had. The Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, with the competent bodies, has worked at a political level on the Presidential Decree (PD) that we want to submit in the autumn and which concerns amendments to the PDs of 2011 and 2001 for conventional ships and high-speed boats respectively, in the context of the inclusion of people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility. Our goal is a friendlier and more inclusive coastal shipping, in everything that has to do with these people, but also our ports. That is where we will move. Because my opinion, always, is that things must be regulated in their own time and there is not enough time in the future to let something like this continue to exist, as it exists now, I want to say that I gave the Ministry’s services specific timetables for this initiative and of course, we will also see the other Federation which concerns the smaller ships, the “slippers”, the tourist ships, the day boats, our ferries, where of course, the changes are more difficult but, in any case, we must always think and first of all that, with respect, with professionalism and with love, we must approach and behave towards these people”.
Ioannis Vardakastanis, President of the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities:
“Today, with the Minister and the President of SEEN, we discussed an issue that usually comes to the fore in the summer months, due to the increased traffic in our coastal shipping, while it exists throughout the year. Like last year, this year too, the problem appeared on the Keramoti – Thassos line. I believe that the approach we agreed on today with the Minister and Mr. Theodoratos sets the basis for a serious and responsible approach and solution to this difficult issue. The Confederation approaches this issue with great respect. Initially, we must emphasize that accessibility is a human rights issue and that, first and foremost, must concern the people who live in the country, the people who travel all year round, mainly from the islands to mainland Greece. On this basis, we can offer our visitors an accessible, inclusive environment in coastal shipping as well. We at E.S.AmeA will work seriously, responsibly, based on common sense, to formulate the specifications, supervisory and verbal procedures, so that we achieve our goal for both residents and those who visit us. I also want to point out that the training of personnel on ships, regardless of type and size, is a very important matter. In the event that a person needs to be helped onto the deck on a ferry line, the employee who will help him must be trained in both dignified and safe transportation.
Dionysis Theodoratos, President of the Passenger Shipping Companies Association:
“We are here today at the initiative of the Minister of Shipping, together with the President of the Hellenic Association of the Disabled, to lay the foundations for the final completion of the PD, which we have discussed in the past and have also come very close to the Hellenic Association of the Disabled. Enormous efforts have been made in recent years and I also stand on the issue of training that the President mentioned. They have already started since last winter and the crews of certain ships are being trained by the Hellenic Association of the Disabled, so that they can offer upgraded services to our fellow human beings who need them. And I must emphasize here that, in addition to the adaptation of the ship, the adaptation of the ports also plays a very important role – the Minister also emphasized this – so that they too become friendly to passengers and, in particular, to people with disabilities. Although there are many, now, coastal ships, large coastal ships provide the possibilities for people with disabilities to move with dignity and ease. I think we are going to improve the situation even further and in combination with the ports, to have a very good result. We are moving in the right direction much faster and with the instructions of the Minister.”
