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Isle Of Man Steam Packet Company 22 December 2011 On 15th December, Minister for Infrastructure, David Cretney MHK organised and Chaired a briefing for all Tynwald Members by Steam Packet Board members on the related impacts of Ben-my-Chree’s damaged bow thruster, and the recent severe weather on the run up to Christmas. The Steam Packet Company was represented by Robert Quayle, Chairman, Kit Pemberton, Director and Mark Woodward, Chief Executive. David Cretney MHK said “The Steam Packet representatives answered fully and comprehensibly a range of questions and comments made by Tynwald Members, and the Department welcomed the measured debate that took place.” Mr Woodward explained how the Company’s staff were making strenuous efforts to ensure that despite an unusual period of severe weather the needs of passengers and businesses would be met in the run up to Christmas. This involved bringing Manannan out of winter lay-up to add passenger and freight capacity to that of Ben-my-Chree so that Ben-my-Chree could dry-dock in Birkenhead from 16th to 19th December inclusive for bow thruster repairs. Manannan carried about eight heavy freight trailers plus accompanied vehicles on the daytime passenger sailings and eight freight trailers plus other commercial vehicles on freight-only, evening sailings. Manannan completed all of its planned sailings from 14th – 19th December inclusive. The Department is very pleased to acknowledge that because of the efforts made by the Steam Packet, its major customers and all of their staff that between Wednesday afternoon (14th December) to Friday afternoon (16th December) a total of 241 trailers and freight vehicles were shipped to the Isle of Man. This volume of freight met most of the needs of businesses and the public and created a window over the weekend 16th to 19th December for Ben-my-Chree to dry-dock. During this dry-dock period Manannan undertook all of the scheduled passenger services. Ben-my-Chree came out of dry-dock on the evening of 19th December, loaded 60 heavy freight trailers in Heysham and arrived in Douglas at 5.30am on 20th December. She resumed normal passenger and freight sailings with the 8.45am departure to Heysham. It is the Department’s intention to engage with the Steam Packet as soon as practicable in order to review the recent difficulties and identify the lessons to be learned to avoid similar difficulties in the future. Further information: Captain Michael Brew, Director of Harbours Tel:686626 More stories >>> |
