Passenger Vessels:  Background

This rulemaking will develop guidelines under the ADA for access to ferries, cruise ships, excursion boats, and other passenger vessels.  These guidelines will supplement the Board’s ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles.

Background:  When guidelines for transit vehicles originally were issued under the ADA, the Board and the Department of Transportation (DOT) decided that further study was needed before guidelines could be developed for passenger vessels.  The agencies sponsored a study that examined the impact of access to vessels and shore facilities.  This project was completed in July 1996 and provided valuable information for rulemaking.  The Board and DOT also held an information meeting with organizations representing people with disabilities and the marine industry to determine the scope and complexity of the rulemaking.

Rulemaking History

• August 12, 1998 Board creates Passenger Vessel Access Advisory Committee
• December 2000 Advisory Committee presents its final report to the Board
• August 20, 2003 Board holds public meeting in New Orleans on the embarkation and disembarkation of passenger vessels by persons with disabilities
• September 9, 2003 Board holds public meeting in Seattle on the embarkation and disembarkation of passenger vessels by persons with disabilities
• November 26, 2004 Board issues draft guidelines for large vessels and a notice concerning guidelines for small vessels that are available for comment until July 28, 2005:
  • 2004 Draft Guidelines for Large Passenger Vessels and Related Material (November 26, 2004)
  • Notice of Availability – Large Vessels
  • Draft Regulatory Assessment Plan (Large Vessels)
  • Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Small Vessels
  • Public Comments on the Draft Guidelines and Notices
• July 7, 2006 Board issues revised draft guidelines for large vessels, ferries, and tenders that are available for public comment until November 13, 2006.
  • 2006 Revised Draft Passenger Vessel Accessibility Guidelines and Related Material (July 7, 2006)
    • Summary of Changes
  • Notice of Availability
  • Notice Extending the Comment Period (to November 13, 2006)
  • Public Comments on the Revised Guidelines
• August 13, 2007 Board creates Passenger Vessel Emergency Alarms Advisory Committee (PVEAAC)
• June 26, 2008 Board makes available 2008 Draft Passenger Vessel Accessibility Guidelines and 10 vessel case studies to support a public information meeting
  • Bulleted List of Changes
  • Report on Public Information Meeting
• October 14, 2008 PVEAAC Final Report is made available
• June 18, 2013 Board publishes notice proposing for public comment Passenger Vessel Accessibility Guidelines
  • Bulleted List of Text Changes