The Traveling Wheelchair

17 Standish Avenue
Town Wharf
Plymouth MA 02360
Phone: 1 508 746-2643
http://www.captjohn.com/WhaleWatching/index.htm

 I planned to go on a boat trip with my family and friends. I love whales so I decided to go on a whale watching adventure on Captain John’s Whale Watching cruise out of Plymouth. I was told that they could easily get my power wheelchair on the boat.

When we arrived we saw the ramp and it didn’t look very wheelchair accessible. Since we were already here we did try and succeeded but it wasn’t very easy. The ramp to the boat had support notches, which were spread about 1 foot apart from one another, all though this ramp. I had to be dragged up the ramp which was very high and very scary! I didn’t want to disappoint anyone so I went up. The boat staff assured me I would be ok. I got on the boat, Thank God! I at that point was just happy to be off that ramp.

Once on the boat I had to stay on the top level of the boat. I had no access to the bathroom. I also couldn’t go down stairs to the cabin, which had a little cafe in it. I was exposed the whole trip to the elements. I had no cover from the sun and nothing to block the winds.

When the boat ride got rough my chair would jump up and down and I thought I was going to flip over. My staff and family were a little concerned as well and they held on to me to keep me stable. The staff on the boat were friendly and did talked to me a lot about the whales that we were seeing and we seen lots of whales this day.

 We saw whales jumping right out of the water. We got so many great pictures this day. I loved seeing the whales. I really enjoyed the woman narrator, who came over to me personally and chatted to me about the whales. I still look at my wonderful pictures from this day. The boat ride lasted about 4 hours, which was a long time to be exposed to the sun and wind out on the sea.

Once we returned home I was quite weary about the ramp again. I wasn’t looking forward to this again but I had to get off. My family, friends and the crew had to lift my power wheelchair up a little even to get onto the ramp to go down it. I went down the ramp and once again had a very scary experience with it. My family, friends and the staff on the boat helped me get down but I think they were as scared as I was.

 Here are some pictures of this day. Look them over and think if you thought it was worth in the end. Looking back on it I’m glad I did it. Would I do it again? NO! Overall the bad points out weighed the good but I have some great memories and can tell you all the issues that the disabled can have when things are not handicapped accessible and hope we can see the day where everyone can have full access to other wise fun activities.

Overall I give Captain Johns’ boat trip a TWO STAR rating. In order to earn the other Three Stars, Captain John’s boat needs to get a wider ramp that is more wheelchair accessible and an elevator so someone who is disabled isn’t exposed to the elements for four hours straight and can have access to the restroom and cafe. I know this is expensive and I know it’s unlikely to happen but I wish somehow, someway it would be done  Captain John’s crew and the beautiful whales I saw get Five Stars!