Groups who travel with large (45 litre +) rucksacks will be liable for a charge of £4 per rucksack. Tents and large holdalls are included in this charge.

EXCURSIONS TO AND FROM THE ISLAND DURING YOUR STAY WILL BE CHARGED AT £4 PER PERSON

Please note - either pay £4 for each item over 35 litre including tents, holdalls, bags etc or pay £100 each way for any amount of luggage; within reasonable parameters.

These charges are in addition to normal ticket prices.

Fold-down food crates are carried free.

If you need any further information, please contact us

The National Trust is aware that this does have an impact on what groups can bring across to the island and would like to remind you that virtually all of the tents and equipment that you could need can be hired on the island rather than having to bring it across yourselves.  We would advise you to make use of this facility.

OPENING TIMES: (Brownsea Island)

27 March - 31 October 2010

10.00am - 5.00pm all season, 7 days a week

AN ADDITIONAL ADMISSION FEE IS PAYABLE WHEN LANDING ON BROWNSEA ISLAND.

PLEASE CALL 01202 707744 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

BOAT TIMES:

Departures from Fish Shambles Steps, (opposite Quay Side) Poole Quay. Every half hour from 10am & return from the Island at 20 minutes past and ten to each hour. Please allow 30-40 minutes for the return journey from the Island to Poole Quay.

Please read carefully:

THESE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE MARITIME COASTGUARD AGENCY, AND ARE NON NEGOTIABLE, THEY CAN ALSO BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. 

The Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are responsible throughout the UK for implementing the Government’s maritime safety policy. That includes checking that ships meet UK and international safety rules. They work to prevent the loss of lives at the coast and at sea, to ensure that ships are safe, and to prevent coastal pollution.

The ferries operating to Brownsea Island are bound to abide by rules and regulations set and monitored by the MCA.  If the ferry companies fail to abide by these rules, they could lose their licence.  These rules are in place for the safety of everyone aboard the ferries including you and your group.

 The rules cover the carrying of luggage and equipment on any ferries including those travelling to Brownsea Island.  This means that the ferry companies need to restrict the amounts of luggage carried.  This is similar to ferries travelling to other destinations (e.g. the Isle of Wight) and to commercial airlines. 

There are basically three different options for your group to choose from:

1.      Restrict the luggage to two small rucksacks per person less than 35 litres per rucksack (see pictures below) – one can go on the lap of the passenger and the other under the seat.  In this case your group can arrive and depart on any scheduled ferry (you must book with them in the normal way).

2.      Each member of the group can bring a large rucksack more than 35 litres (see pictures below) but this has to take the place of a passenger, i.e. sitting on the seat next to the owner.  This reduces the passenger capacity on the ferry and so will be charged at £4 per rucksack.  However, the ferry companies have agreed to carry rucksacks free of charge on certain ferries: please check for times at time of booking.

3.      Hire your very own luggage boat for just £100 each way for any amount of equipment.

 All luggage including food must be loaded onto the boats by the group, not the boat crew.  Groups are responsible for their own luggage at all times.

 The National Trust is aware that this does have an impact on what groups can bring across to the island and would like to remind you that virtually all of the tents and equipment that you could need can be hired on the island rather than having to bring it across yourselves.  We would advise you to make use of this facility. 

 If you are staying on the island for one night only, then we would advise you to follow option 1, otherwise you will be paying for large rucksacks to travel or arriving on the island late and departing early the following day.

Please note:

Failure to follow these guidelines could result in the ferry companies refusing to carry your group’s luggage.  Remember that they could lose their licences if they break the rules enforced by the MCA.

Examples of pieces of luggage which will be allowed onto all boats with no restrictions (rucksacks up to 35 litres)

(2 per person – one on lap and one under seat) -

Examples of pieces of luggage that will need to take the place of a passenger (rucksacks more than 35 litres)

(rucksack needs to go on seat next to owner)

Telephone 01202 631828. Click here to email.

ACCESSIBILITY -

Whilst every assistance in given the following restrictions apply; Due to HSE/MCA advised regulations, our staff are forbidden to lift or carry passengers on board any of our vessels. We are unable to accommodate wheelchair-bound passengers who cannot dismount from their chairs to negotiate the vessels gangway. However, the choice is placed on parents/guardians if they wish to push the wheelchair up/down gangways (4 times) which would be done at their own risk. This is due to the possible steep angles of gangways which is caused by the constant tidal movements alongside Poole Quay and Brownsea Quay.

Wheelchair bound persons may get in touch with a company that provides cruises in a specially designed boat which can accommodate them and their carers. DOLPHIN III.

Parents/guardians with pushchairs will be asked to carry their child on board vessels and pushchairs need to be folded down.

Bicycles and dogs (except Guide Dogs) are not permitted on Brownsea.

Limited mobility passengers
· Limited mobility passengers need to be aware, boats, landing stages, steps etc may not be suitable for all persons, reduced mobility means that those people with physical disabilities, speech, hearing or sight limitations and those with mental health problems. It also includes the elderly and parents with young children. We do have risk assessments and a limited mobility passenger information sheet which is available on request. You may also wish to visit the vessel and all landing stages to do your own risk assessment.

· The hirer is responsible for making sure all passengers are aware of the boats, landing stages, steps and gangway limitations prior to the cruise.
· To enable to assess if this is possible please advise us if anyone in the party has a disability or is of reduced mobility including; information on the type of assistance that may be needed, wheelchair or special equipment needs, presence of carer/support worker, if accompanied by an assistance dog.

If you require any further information or assistance, please CONTACT US

Greenslade Pleasure Boats LLP

Office

Marsh End

Policemans Lane

Upton

Poole

BH16 5NE.

01202 631828

Poole Quay Kiosk

Fish Shambles Steps

Poole

BH15 1HA

01202 669955

(9am-4pm March - October only)

Please click here to e-mail us.