HAL's Accessible Tenders - accessibility services for wheelchair-bound passengers offered by Holland America Line on board cruise ships - Brief Article

Holland America Line, a leader in providing accessibility solutions for its guests, has installed the industry's first system for the safe, comfortable transfer between ship, tender, and pier for guests using wheelchairs.

Called the Shore Tender Accessibility Project, the system was developed for Holland America by Cap Sante Marine Inc. of Anacortes, WA. This unique system provides a safe, dignified means of transporting a guest using a wheelchair down the gangway and onto the tender while still in the chair. Dockside, the system allows the wheelchair to be rolled directly off the tender and onto the dock.

First installed on the Statendam last May, the custom-built, $100,000-plus prototype system has been in operation during the ship's Alaska season. The Ryndam and Volendam are scheduled to be outfitted with the system next, with the rest of the Holland America fleet to follow during scheduled dry docks.

For more information contact your travel agent or Holland America Line (Cruise Travel Magazine), 300 Elliott Ave. West, Seattle, WA 98119.