Flat Sardines

[dickydo]

My wife and I have crossed the Channel numerous times, most usually to Dover with DFDS and the last few trips have caused my wife great distress and no little fear when returning to our vehicle

When we have gone to the correct floor and exited from the stairs to the vehicles we have invariably had as little as 9 inches before the side of a wagon is in front of us The space between bumpers of cars vans or wagons is very often less than 9 inches

Once all the wagons start their engines it is quite a terrifying experience trying to locate our vehicle, so much so that my wife is quite frankly scared

We both understand that space equals money to the Ferry companies so they get as many vehicles on board as possible however is there a straight forward answer to this problem? Do all Ferry companies pack the vehicles so tightly or do any of you good people know differently?

 

[Figaro]

Don't know, always use the tunnel.
But price increase may prompt me to look at the ferry ?

 

[WillH]

Some of the older ferries struggle for deck space as cars have got bigger over the years. The distance side to side of the vehicles is thus reduced and the company has no control over this. More modern ferries have marginally wider lanes.

 

[Brains]

My wife and I have crossed the Channel numerous times, most usually to Dover with DFDS and the last few trips have caused my wife great distress and no little fear when returning to our vehicle

When we have gone to the correct floor and exited from the stairs to the vehicles we have invariably had as little as 9 inches before the side of a wagon is in front of us The space between bumpers of cars vans or wagons is very often less than 9 inches

Once all the wagons start their engines it is quite a terrifying experience trying to locate our vehicle, so much so that my wife is quite frankly scared

We both understand that space equals money to the Ferry companies so they get as many vehicles on board as possible however is there a straight forward answer to this problem? Do all Ferry companies pack the vehicles so tightly or do any of you good people know differently?

Yes.
Roll On/Roll Off (RoRo) ferries are measured by the lane meter.
Every meter counts.
If you were travelling longer distance by ship they would put foam blocks between the vehicles to reduce the space still further.

They also want to reduce the damage (to the ship) in case of say a rogue wave that causes vehicle to slide around. So it better if they are all tightly packed together.

 

[Soycd]

In 1988 I took a ferry from Piraeus to Cyprus and once you'd got out of your car they got the next one so close you could not open the doors. The theory was that on exit you had to wait your turn until they'ed moved the car next to you to you could get back in. I'd left something important in the car and had to climb in through the hatchback to get in the car.

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[Tombola]

Its how it is on all the ferries Ive been on. Space equals money Im afraid, best advice is get down early I suppose

 

[coroner]

Worked on Irish Sea services in 70s and 80s we would sometimes pack em so close together on peak capacity sailings customers had to exit through windows ah the good old days when ferry services had state ownership.

 

[ChrisSue]

Many years ago we were on a Sea France ferry out of Dover. We had a Fiat Doblo with sliding rear doors which was useful as that was the only way the coach driver taking some Standard Liege fans home was able to get to his coach. A couple of fans used the same route through the back of our car too. Very polite they were too and donated a can of beer

 

[PP Bear]

Good point regarding size of vehicles, as it’s got to the point that it’s a flippin joke. Like the mini, now bigger than most every other vehicle in its class. Also means very few can use their garages at home, as they were built for the cars of yesteryear. Ferries being one example now as well as the standard size of most car parking spaces.

In my town, big 4x4’s are everywhere and mostly driven by the opposite sex, who honestly struggle in them, usually taking up 2 spaces in car parks. Witnessed many times here.

Shame wages haven’t grown as much

 

[nicholsong]

Some of the older ferries struggle for deck space as cars have got bigger over the years. The distance side to side of the vehicles is thus reduced and the company has no control over this. More modern ferries have marginally wider lanes.

You have solved the problem for the ferry companies - paint wider lanes.

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[rangi]

Used to work on the Inter-Island RO-RO.

Space wasn't the crews fault or the shore side crew loading the ship. It was the Company, They sold the tickets, we just got a load sheet as the ferry was docking, so many Cars, Sea-freighters, Trucks, Freezers.

 

[chaser]

My wife and I have crossed the Channel numerous times, most usually to Dover with DFDS and the last few trips have caused my wife great distress and no little fear when returning to our vehicle

When we have gone to the correct floor and exited from the stairs to the vehicles we have invariably had as little as 9 inches before the side of a wagon is in front of us The space between bumpers of cars vans or wagons is very often less than 9 inches

Once all the wagons start their engines it is quite a terrifying experience trying to locate our vehicle, so much so that my wife is quite frankly scared

We both understand that space equals money to the Ferry companies so they get as many vehicles on board as possible however is there a straight forward answer to this problem? Do all Ferry companies pack the vehicles so tightly or do any of you good people know differently?

The ops problem is obviously solved by going on the tunnel.

 

[Spriddler]

I also find it unsettling to squeeze between trucks, especially when some have started their engines. It can be tricky finding the m/h as others have arrived after I've parked and hidden mine. I always take a few moments to stand at the deck exit door and fix a mental picture of where the m/h is in relation to fixtures on the ceiling or walls - water hydrants, hydraulic valves, crew notices etc.

 

[Gaston aires]

You have solved the problem for the ferry companies - paint wider lanes.

Wider lanes mean higher prices. Same in supermarkets, try getting out your car when a Chelsea tractor parks next to you ? I have an SUV type car so I just might put a “baby on board sticker” on so I can park in the Mother with kids section.

 

[WillH]

Wider lanes means building new ferries.

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[Reallyretired]

I have dodgy hips and knees and can only get in or out of my car if I can fully open the door. Most marked spaces aren't wide enough so I usually spread myself into the adjacent empty space if I cant get on the end of a row. I suppose I should try to get a blue badge, but probably not bad enough to earn one.
Much less of a problem in the motorhome as it is much higher and I more slide out or heave myself upwards.

Edit on checking the only way to get a blue badge is if I was entitled to an assortment of benefits, which I'm not. So will just have to carry on with bad parking. Fortunately I hate any sort of shopping so my parking in marked bays is usually of short duration.

 

[PP Bear]

Here we go, problem sorted

 

[Reallyretired]

Pity the only car with a sliding front door seems to be the peugot 1007, which is a bit small and they are all at least 8 years old. How about an Isetta bubble car with an opening front and no reverse gear if anyone parks in front.

 

[hja]

I have dodgy hips and knees and can only get in or out of my car if I can fully open the door. Most marked spaces aren't wide enough so I usually spread myself into the adjacent empty space if I cant get on the end of a row. I suppose I should try to get a blue badge, but probably not bad enough to earn one.
Much less of a problem in the motorhome as it is much higher and I more slide out or heave myself upwards.

Edit on checking the only way to get a blue badge is if I was entitled to an assortment of benefits, which I'm not. So will just have to carry on with bad parking. Fortunately I hate any sort of shopping so my parking in marked bays is usually of short duration.

You dont need to be in receipt of any benefits to get a Blue Badge. I have one, and the only benefit I receive is my state pension. For a mobility badge its all about how far you can walk, breathing difficulties, walking up hills, carrying shopping and I always say I need to open door fully to enter/exit cars. I think for a first issue you need a medical assessment, but not usually after that.

 

[Nanniemate]

My wife and I have crossed the Channel numerous times, most usually to Dover with DFDS and the last few trips have caused my wife great distress and no little fear when returning to our vehicle

When we have gone to the correct floor and exited from the stairs to the vehicles we have invariably had as little as 9 inches before the side of a wagon is in front of us The space between bumpers of cars vans or wagons is very often less than 9 inches

Once all the wagons start their engines it is quite a terrifying experience trying to locate our vehicle, so much so that my wife is quite frankly scared

We both understand that space equals money to the Ferry companies so they get as many vehicles on board as possible however is there a straight forward answer to this problem? Do all Ferry companies pack the vehicles so tightly or do any of you good people know differently?

One checking in ask to be parked by the stairs you will see that these spaces are saved for disabled or people with poor mobility but parking near the wall will give you direct access to your vehicle and use the stairs that you went up to go back down also wait until last to go down to the car deck .this should help

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[Odd-no-more]

You dont need to be in receipt of any benefits to get a Blue Badge. I have one, and the only benefit I receive is my state pension. For a mobility badge its all about how far you can walk, breathing difficulties, walking up hills, carrying shopping and I always say I need to open door fully to enter/exit cars. I think for a first issue you need a medical assessment, but not usually after that.

We used the hospital discharge notes to get FIL's blue badge, when we had to renew it I expected it to be just a form, he is 94 and not ever going to get any better, but we still needed his medical records from his doctor.

 

[Spriddler]

One checking in ask to be parked by the stairs you will see that these spaces are saved for disabled or people with poor mobility

My DIL has a blue badge (only a partly successful spine reconstruction/scaffolding) and always books a disabled spot next to the doors and lift on the Newhaven ferry.

 

[dickydo]

One checking in ask to be parked by the stairs you will see that these spaces are saved for disabled or people with poor mobility but parking near the wall will give you direct access to your vehicle and use the stairs that you went up to go back down also wait until last to go down to the car deck .this should help

Thank you for that info, a very sensible suggestion which I will try- thanks again

 

[busby]

My wife and I have crossed the Channel numerous times, most usually to Dover with DFDS and the last few trips have caused my wife great distress and no little fear when returning to our vehicle

When we have gone to the correct floor and exited from the stairs to the vehicles we have invariably had as little as 9 inches before the side of a wagon is in front of us The space between bumpers of cars vans or wagons is very often less than 9 inches

Once all the wagons start their engines it is quite a terrifying experience trying to locate our vehicle, so much so that my wife is quite frankly scared

We both understand that space equals money to the Ferry companies so they get as many vehicles on board as possible however is there a straight forward answer to this problem? Do all Ferry companies pack the vehicles so tightly or do any of you good people know differently?

No bother on the tunnel.For a real experience of tight parking try a Greek Ferry,,You have to exit your vehicle before the next row park,,probably 3 inches apart.BUSBY

 

[gus-lopez]

DFDS dover > dunkirk , never had a problem can walk between lines of vehicles carrying a bag . Same across the fronts. was like that long before covid & since then I haven't seen a full ferry ?

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[Bailey58]

The ferries I use normally tell us not to start our engines until they are ready to disembark . If you want plent of room you should try Norrona. I think Mrs B is still in there.

 

[Emmit]

I have dodgy hips and knees and can only get in or out of my car if I can fully open the door. Most marked spaces aren't wide enough so I usually spread myself into the adjacent empty space if I cant get on the end of a row. I suppose I should try to get a blue badge, but probably not bad enough to earn one.
Much less of a problem in the motorhome as it is much higher and I more slide out or heave myself upwards.

Edit on checking the only way to get a blue badge is if I was entitled to an assortment of benefits, which I'm not. So will just have to carry on with bad parking. Fortunately I hate any sort of shopping so my parking in marked bays is usually of short duration.

The ability to get a Disabled badge has nothing to do with benefits.
If you are not mobile because of disability, your first port of call( Sorry, couldn't resist) is your Dr. If he/she/them/it supports your application, you should get one.

 

[stuartholmes]

I suppose I should try to get a blue badge, but probably not bad enough to earn one.

It's not about 'earning', it's just eligibility. I'm sure you meant that but I thought I'd mention because the subtle difference can matter to some people.

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge

Check if you're eligible for a Blue Badge and apply or renew

www.gov.uk

 

[stuartholmes]

is there a straight forward answer to this problem?

Have you considered sending your wife as a foot passenger?

 

[Insider]

It's not about 'earning', it's just eligibility. I'm sure you meant that but I thought I'd mention because the subtle difference can matter to some people.

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge

Check if you're eligible for a Blue Badge and apply or renew

www.gov.uk

I understood it as earn as in get something you deserve - he earned her affection, he earned the respect of his crew - rather than an implication it could be bought. I say this earnestly and in all earnest but I myself am eligible to being bribed.