Address
3500 East Ocean Parkway, Bay Shore, NY 11706
Phone Number
(631) 265 - 1848
Date Visited
06/27/2019
Website
Moonchaser
Description
The Moonchaser is located at 3500 East Ocean Parkway, Bay Shore, in the Captree Boat Basin. It is at the extreme right side of the docks, near the Bait and Tackle Shop. There are four, handicapped (van)-accessible spaces close to here. The wooden deck leads to the dock. A small wooden ramp is put in place for people to go aboard. Depending on the tide, the ramp may be flat across or varying degrees of steepness. There are no handrails on the ramp.One enters on the main deck of the vessel. This deck is fully enclosed, has a fully equipped bar, tables and chairs, The canopied, upper deck can only be accessed by steps. The main deck has four, small restrooms which are not handicapped-accessible. Each restroom has a small "lip" at the entrance. There are no restrooms on the upper deck.
- Surface of lot: paved
Distance to venue: one must walk past the shop and along the deck to the ship
Transportation to venue offered: no
Terrain: flat, dock is wood
Places to rest: no
Paths and walkways: concrete, then wood
Doors: none
Number of floors: 2
Elevators: none
Ramps: *to go aboard
Steps and staircases: steps to upper deck
Width of aisles: all furniture can be moved
Places to sit: straight back chairs
Location of restrooms: main deck, near bar
Type of restroom: four, small, single-occupancy, non handicapped accessible restrooms with "lip" at entrance
Ease of entry and exit: ok
Baby changing station: no
Available food services: depends on type of cruise
Friendliness of staff: very friendly and accommodating
Notes: * Depending on the tide, ramp can be straight across or quite steep - Ramp does not have any handrails
The Moonchaser is one of a fleet of vessels sailing from the Captree Boat Basin. We were invited to tour it before one of their private, evening sails. The Moonchaser is “…a 65 foot vessel that has been serving the public for over 25 years. It has a compleely enclosed main deck, fully equipped nautical bar and upper canopied sun deck.” (website)
We pulled into the large, paved parking lot and found four, handi (van)- accessible spaces very close to the Bait and Tackle Shop. I mention this because this is as close as you can get to where The Moonchaser is docked – the extreme right dock.
We walked past the Shop and made our way down the wooden dock to the ship. The captain welcomed us and signaled us to come aboard. Going aboard was not that easy. Due to the high tide the entryway was quite a bit higher than the dock. The short ramp that was put in place for us to “go aboard” was quite steep. The captain made sure to hold my hand to calm my nerves as I stepped up. I was also unnerved by the fact that the ramp had no handrails. He assured me that, most times the ramp is much less steep, or even flat, as people board. He also assured me that everyone associated with The Moonchaser works to make sure that everyone is attended to with the utmost care.
We made our way inside the enclosed main deck. This level has the full-height, bar, tables and chairs. There is also an upper, canopied sun deck, which can only be accessed by steps. the vessel seemed large enough to handle the 200 person maximum they are allowed.
As the crew was readying for their evening sail, we looked around a bit more and chatted with them. They were personable and friendly. We found four restrooms, two on either side of the main floor. Unfortunately, they are quite small, not handicapped-accessible, and each have a “lip” to cross at their entrances. There are no restrooms on the upper level.
From the time I boarded, I had been worrying about how I was going to disembark – get back down the ramp to the dock. I was saved, however, when we returned to the ramp and it appeared to be much less steep. It was, because the captain had put a block under the dock side of the ramp, allowing me to walk down easily and then step off. I was breathing much easier after that!
We chatted with the captain for a few more minutes, as he told us about the various cruises Moonchaser offers. He also assured us, once again, that the entire crew works very hard to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests.
As always, we at Destination Accessible, advise you to check a venue’s website, www.themoonchaser.com, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”
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