Manxman berthing trials complete

Fri, 04 Aug 2023

The Manxman has now completed berthing trials at Douglas and Heysham and has also paid an initial visit to Belfast.

Since the arrival of the new ship, just over a month ago, “considerable work has been undertaken to prepare Manxman for its role as flagship and workhorse of the fleet”, according to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. 

“Some of the work has been very visible to the public, such as the successful test of the Marine Evacuation System in Douglas harbour under the watchful eyes of Isle of Man Ship Registry surveyors. 

“Manxman’s masters, officers and crew have also been in the public eye as they test the manoeuvrability of the vessel, and learn how the largest-ever ship in the Manx fleet handles in a range of conditions in ports and at sea,” said the Steam Packet.

Brian Thomson, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Managing Director said: “I’m pleased to say that the timeline is now weeks rather than months. I’ve always been really clear that we won’t rush things to have Manxman in service before it is ready, but everyone involved in this project is working hard every day with only one goal in mind, getting Manxman into service.”

Sailings update

As previously announced, Manxman will initially only carry out daytime sailings (departing Isle of Man 8:45am, departing Heysham 2:15pm) for a period of approximately four weeks.

Ben-my-Chree will run the overnight sailings for this period, with a slightly later departure time of 8:15pm from Douglas, departing Heysham for the return sailing at 2:15am. The slightly later departure time from Douglas will "allow for operational flexibility around berths". 

At the end of the four week period of daytime only sailings, Manxman will undertake the previously announced cruise, before commencing four weeks of night time sailings, with Ben-my-Chree switching to the daytime schedule. 

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