The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has announced a delay to the start of Manannan’s fast craft season, with the Ben-my-Chree to continue to operate lifeline freight and passenger services between Douglas and Heysham.
Due to the continued closure of the Manx borders, Manannan will no longer start her seasonal services on Thursday 25th March. Daily Ben-my-Chree services to and from Heysham will continue, with Manannan and Arrow due to cover the Ben-my-Chree’s overhaul period scheduled for mid-April.
All passengers booked on Manannan sailings up until Tuesday 25th May inclusive will be contacted and offered a full refund or a transfer to Heysham services as appropriate. Fast craft sailing schedules will remain under regular review.
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Since the start of the pandemic, we have been dedicated to maintaining lifeline links between the Isle of Man and the UK, and have provided excess freight and passenger capacity throughout this period. Manannan is being dry docked in March so that she will be ready to operate as soon as the border re-opens. In the meantime, we will continue to transport essential food and goods to our Island community.’
Sailings beyond 25th May will continue to be monitored and may also be subject to change, depending on Isle of Man Government travel restrictions. All affected passengers will be given advance notice of schedule changes.
