What to do if…
a ferry or crossing is delayed for hours and you may run out of food, water, or battery power while waiting

What to do now

1. Quick health check (you + anyone with you).
   If someone has chest pain, severe breathlessness, confusion, repeated vomiting, faints, or seems dangerously overheated/very cold: tell terminal staff/crew immediately and ask for medical help.

2. Get the status from a human and note the key facts.
   Ask staff: “What’s the estimated departure time?” and “Are we staying in vehicles or able to access the terminal?”
   Note the scheduled departure time and when you were told of the delay (a phone note is enough).

3. Use the UK 90-minute trigger to ask for help clearly (script).
   If the departure delay is 90 minutes or more, calmly say:
   “We’ve now been delayed over 90 minutes. Can you confirm what refreshments are available, and whether you’re offering refund or re-routing?”
   (Even if you don’t plan to claim later, this phrasing often prompts staff to check what they can provide.)

4. Secure water first (then simple calories).

   • Buy water as soon as you can access a shop/café.
   • If facilities are limited or you’re confined onboard/in vehicles, ask staff for drinking water, especially for children, older adults, pregnancy, diabetes, or anyone feeling faint.

5. Preserve battery power now (before it’s “low”).

   • Enable Low Power Mode, reduce brightness, close battery-heavy apps, and stop streaming.
   • Use Airplane Mode and reconnect briefly on a set schedule (e.g., every 30–60 minutes) to check updates.
   • Screenshot/save: booking reference, QR codes, and any messages about rebooking.

6. Make a simple ration plan that reduces panic-draining.
   Decide: water sips at regular intervals; one snack now and the next in 2 hours (adjust for children/medical needs).
   Check updates on a timer rather than continuously.

7. Know what assistance you can reasonably ask for during long delays.
   Under UK maritime passenger-rights guidance, you should generally expect refreshments from 90 minutes of delay, increasing with longer waits (light refreshments/snack/hot meal, depending on length). If there are no facilities, the operator may not have to supply them—still ask staff what’s available and where.
   If delay/cancellation means you cannot be re-routed and you need an overnight stay, you may be entitled to accommodation up to a cap (with exceptions such as unsafe weather/safety-related delays).

8. If you decide you can’t safely continue (health/children/needs), ask about leaving without losing options.
   Say: “We need to leave the terminal for food/water/medical reasons—what do we need to do so we can rebook or refund correctly?”
   Get the instruction in writing if possible (text/email/posted notice).

9. If staff cannot resolve it, use the UK escalation route.

   • First: complain to the operator.
   • If still unresolved for a ferry service: the UK guidance lists ABTA as the relevant organisation for ferry complaints; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) enforces the maritime passenger-rights regulations.