B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 107
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
We were prepping Aircraft X for a push from ZZZ to ZZZ1.  The Service Info Summary came over the printer and was discussed.  The FO (First Officer) pointed out that there was a powered wheelchair loaded in the pit containing lithium-ion batteries but no documentation had been received.  We worked our way through a somewhat confusing section in the FOM (Operating Manual) regarding the loading of various batteries and found that lithium ion batteries indeed were not allowed in the cargo pit.  We then contacted ZZZ OPS to verify if proper procedure had been followed with the batteries being removed and placed in the cabin. As it turned out proper procedures were not followed regarding disconnecting and placement of the batteries and proper notification of the Captain.  The gate agent was told by the passenger that the wheelchair had been turned off.   The agent took this as adequate precaution and allowed the wheelchair with the attached batteries to be loaded into the pit.  The pink Captains copy of the Battery Powered Mobility Device Tag (see attached) was retrieved after the wheelchair was brought back to the jetway.  Ramp personnel then attempted; unsuccessfully; to remove the batteries.  The passenger; with much effort; came back to the jetway and instructed the ramp personnel on how to remove the batteries.  The batteries were then placed in the cabin near the passenger; the wheelchair was reloaded into the pit and the rest of the flight was completed without further event.
B-737 Captain reported 'Lithium Ion battery powered wheelchair' procedures were not followed by ground personnel. Error corrected prior to departure.