'Rise in incidents' led to ferry supervision rules

A change to the adult-to-child ratio policy for group ferry travel was in response to a "rising number of incidents" involving children, the treasury minister has said.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's new rules stipulate bookings of nine or 10 must include two adults, with another needed for each five children above that.

Alex Allinson MHK said the change followed a risk assessment that found some children had been "presenting a danger to themselves, fellow passengers and crew".

A teacher's union has said the move would deprive pupils of "vital learning opportunities" and called for a return to a one adult to 10 children ratio.

Responding to a Tynwald question for written answer, Allinson said the company's "primary concern was for the health, safety and comfort of all of their passengers".

He said the assessment, carried out before the policy change was brought in on 24 October, took into account the "increasing number of group bookings and the rising number of incidents on board the vessels".

The minister said in the event of an incident, such as fire or flooding, there was an "increased risk with large groups of under-supervised children that they may become separated from their supervisors".

The company had a responsibility to ensure it complied with requirements and regulations relating to emergency evacuations, he said.

The maximum size for group booking including children up to 15 years of age is 60, which must include at least 12 adults for supervision.

The government-owned ferry firm previously said it had liaised with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Desc) about the changes.

In his response, Allinson also confirmed Desc's policy for educational visits to attractions off the island states the pupil to staff ratio should be 10 to one, with a minimum if two members teachers present regardless of the group size.

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