How do I find a genuinely wheelchair-accessible superyacht charter?
Specify the journeys a guest must be able to make, then verify each one. An elevator or a “wheelchair-friendly” description should be the start of the enquiry, not the conclusion.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s passenger-vessel accessibility guidance considers boarding, movement, facilities and emergency arrangements. It is useful as a questioning framework, but it is not a certification that a particular charter yacht is suitable. (gov.uk)
Request a measured, yacht-specific access review:
| Journey | Evidence to request |
|---|---|
| Quay to yacht | Boarding arrangement, clearances, slope and assistance plan |
| Boarding point to cabin | Every step, threshold and doorway |
| Between essential decks | Lift dimensions, capacity and decks served |
| Within the cabin | Turning space and access around furniture |
| Bathroom use | Doorway, shower, toilet and transfer arrangement |
| Yacht to tender and shore | Transfer method and relevant limitations |
| Emergency evacuation | Captain’s individual arrangements and explanation |
Our recommendation is to request a recent video walkthrough following the actual route, with measurements rather than impressions. Have the guest or their chosen adviser assess the functional fit.
Deposit blocker: if a necessary transfer remains unexplained, mark suitability unresolved. Do not replace verification with an assumption that crew will improvise assistance.