Latest news with #SteamPacket
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Generator failure leads to Isle of Man ferry cancellations
The failure of a generator on an Isle of Man ferry has resulted in disruption to passenger Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said a "significant technical issue" had led to Manannan's scheduled crossings to and from Liverpool on Sunday being ferry firm said despite the best efforts of crew and engineers, more time was required to resolve the issue, which meant Monday's journeys had also been had been transferred to Manxman where possible, with coaches providing a transfer between Liverpool and Heysham. The island's back up vessel, the Ben-my-Chree, has been brought into action to for freight services to Heysham to free up passenger capacity on sailings by the a statement, the Steam Packet confirmed the generator failure would need "significant maintenance and testing" before it can return to for the disruption, managing director Brian Thomson said the firm was "working hard to get things back on track as soon as we can".The Steam Packet said an update on Tuesday's sailings to Dublin and Liverpool would be issued later. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Isle of Man TT 2025: Ferry passenger numbers up as bike bookings drop
Passenger numbers on Steam Packet ferry sailings for this year's TT are up on last year but the number of motorbike bookings have fallen, the company's chief executive has said. Brian Thomson said 2025 bookings were about 4.5% up from 2024, when more than 37,800 passengers booked to travel to the island during the can arrive on the island via flights to the Isle of Man Airport or on ferries from Lancashire, Liverpool, Dublin and the numbers of bike bookings were down, Mr Thomson said he believed "more people are bringing their bikes in vans and on trailers", noting those vehicle bookings had risen. About 40,000 people were expected to arrive by boat throughout the TT fortnight, which runs from 26 May until 7 the final figure surpasses the 2024 total, it would become the third year in a row that figures surpass a previous high recorded in 2007, when 47,000 visited. While the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic, the firm has since "seen increased passenger numbers every year", Mr Thomson said, adding that the Manxman had enabled that with its increased is the second year the vessel has been operational for the event, with an extra 400 passenger spaces available than its predecessor the Ben my Chree, which is currently running freight Thomson said: "The pressure on freight is huge because everything that's coming for TT, all the equipment, the fairground, the TT village, all of that's come on the boat, and keeping the island supplied."Staffing is increased over the two weeks and extra sailings are fitted into the daily schedule, Mr Thomson explained. At the Isle of Man Airport passenger numbers have remained level at about 60,000 over the two-week period. Interim airport director Geoff Pugh said that figure, while consistent with last year's numbers, is about 19% lower than pre-pandemic levels in said: "We're still some way off the numbers back in 2019, but that's the same throughout the year as well, not just the TT."Two scanners are being replaced in the security area, upgrading them to meet standards set by the UK's Department for Transport. While one machine has now been upgraded, work has been paused during the TT fortnight with the second machine until after racing ends. Also, after the event has finished, new flooring will be fitted, walls painted and new seating installed in the departure lounge as part of ongoing refurbishment works. Mr Pugh said they were trying to make the airport "a welcoming place" and a motorsport display had been placed outside the departure lounge for the races."People will come through the airport and get their first taste of the motorsport vibe," he said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
08-04-2025
- BBC News
Isle of Man's fast craft back to full speed after engine issue
Sailings of the Manx fast craft ferry are back to normal after an issue with one of its engines caused an increase to journey restarted its routes to Liverpool, Belfast, and Dublin for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company last a problem was detected with the control systems of one of its four main engines on Saturday, leading to it being shut down on safety firm said the vessel had been operating "safely" on three engines but the journey times were "slightly slower than usual". Passengers had faced delays of about an hour while the vessel was operating on a reduced number of engine.A spokesman for the Steam Packet confirmed the Manannan had now returned to using all four of its engines. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Passengers warned of ongoing Isle of Man ferry time changes
Ferry passengers have been reminded that sailing times remain subject to changes around certain low tides until a capital dredging programme is carried comes after the company's vessel Manxman became grounded on a mud bank in the harbour earlier this month on its return to Douglas from then a number of dredging operations have taken place in the harbour to flatten the bottom of the main basin. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said rescheduling would continue "operational water depths" were achieved by the removal of "accumulated material". The firm operates sailings between Douglas and Heysham, Liverpool, Belfast, and Dublin. The spokesman said the Steam Packet apologised for "any changes to services" and said it was working "closely with all partners to minimise any disruption" for Minister Michelle Haywood last week told Tynwald members work was ongoing to keep the depths of Douglas Harbour "at an acceptable level". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Tidal conditions in Douglas Harbour lead to ferry disruption
Changes have been made to the Isle of Man's ferry schedule after the Manxman became temporarily grounded in Douglas Harbour on Saturday Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said high atmospheric pressure meant the tides were lower than expected, and the vessel became stuck while manoeuvring. Following checks of the vessel by divers, it resumed its services on Saturday with a two-hour delay to its evening sailing to changes have been made to the timings of the vessel's evening and overnight sailings and cancelled two crossings on Tuesday. Under the amended schedule, the Manxman will sail to the Lancashire Port at 10:00 GMT but will not make its return journey until 01:30 on Wednesday. 'No danger' Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said sediment had been washed into Douglas Harbour by the river, which "tends to deposit" in an area where the ferry turn, which had led it to be "sucked into the mud".She said a large dredging programme to "clear away the silt" was needed and would be investigated, but in the meantime the Steam Packet would continue to amend its sailings to avoid a similar situation during the "particularly high spring tides".The ferry firm confirmed the Manxman had become "stuck on mud for a short time and was not able to continue its berthing operation until the tide came up sufficiently".It said there had been "no danger to passengers, crew or the vessel, and throughout the delay those onboard were kept informed of the situation by the master".Managing Director Brian Thompson said the operator would conduct a review of what happened and it would work with all parties including the infrastructure department's harbours division to "ensure we don't see a repeat". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
