Discover the Manxman: Ratings & Maritime News

The 'Manxman', currently drydocked at Cammel Laird in Birkenhead since July 15, will undergo an extended stay at the shipyard beyond its initial return date. Following a thorough maintenance check, engineers discovered that further essential repairs were needed, delaying the ferry's return to service until late September. The inspections revealed significant wear on the vessel's propulsion shaft bearings, components that could only be assessed once removed. To ensure safety and operational efficacy, the extension of the dry dock period was deemed necessary. These additional repairs aim to enhance the vessel's reliability for the years ahead. Meanwhile, 'Ben-my-Chree', which encountered its own technical difficulties earlier this week, will temporarily take over the sailings to Heysham with the 'Arrow,' providing extra freight capacity during this maintenance period.

The 'Manxman' ferry, currently undergoing maintenance at Cammel Laird in Birkenhead since July 15, will not return to service as originally scheduled. Further inspections during planned maintenance revealed additional repairs are essential to ensure the vessel's safety and operational efficiency. These extended dry dock procedures are crucial for maintaining the 'Manxman’s reliability for future voyages. In the interim, the 'Ben-my-Chree', which recently faced its own technical challenges, will temporarily cover the sailings to Heysham alongside the 'Arrow'. This arrangement will enhance freight service capacity during this unexpected repair period.

The scheduled sailings of the 'Manxman' for June 11, 2026, have been disrupted due to a technical issue, leading to the cancellation of two key crossings. The first affected service was the 9:15 a.m. voyage from Douglas to Heysham, originally set to reach Lancashire at 1 p.m. The second cancellation involved the return trip at 3:15 p.m. from Heysham back to Douglas, expected to arrive on the Island later that evening. This situation is also applicable to sailings on June 12. Passengers impacted by these changes have been given the option to amend their bookings without any charge via their online accounts. For additional support, travelers can reach out to the Steam Packet reservations team at 01624 661661 or 08722 992992. Although there were considerations for a daytime replacement service utilizing the 'Ben-my-Chree' between Douglas and Heysham, this plan has been shelved due to limited port slot availability at Heysham. Consequently, the 'Ben-my-Chree' has been assigned to cover other departures until normal operations resume following ongoing repairs at the Douglas quay.

The 'Manxman' ferry has officially returned to service, reinstating its daytime sailings to Lancashire and alleviating previous disruptions in the schedule. On Wednesday, crossings between Douglas and Heysham faced significant delays due to damage sustained to the firefighting equipment on the backup vessel, 'Ben-My-Chree'. This situation arose after the 'Manxman' experienced a technical issue that resulted in smoke appearing in its engine room, prompting an emergency response and temporarily sidelining the ferry. Following a thorough repair process, the 'Manxman' successfully carried out sea trials in Douglas Bay on the evening of August 20. Meanwhile, 'Ben-My-Chree' completed its last backup passenger voyage from Lancashire, arriving back in Douglas at 12:45 BST. As the calendar approaches the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT events, 'Ben-My-Chree' is now scheduled to recommence freight-only sailings, ensuring that logistics remain uninterrupted during this busy period.

On August 11, a minor incident aboard the 'Manxman' resulted in several passengers sustaining injuries while attempting to navigate into Heysham Port. According to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, some individuals experienced slight injuries when the vessel rolled sharply to starboard and heeled to port during the approach. This maneuver occurred at around 08:00 a.m. BST as the captain made the decision to abort the entry due to the ship being misaligned for a safe docking. Fortunately, no emergency services were required at the scene. The ferry operator confirmed their commitment to fully cooperate with any investigations that may follow. Despite this occurrence, all other scheduled sailings for the day proceeded as intended.

On August 19, the 'Manxman', operating between the Isle of Man and Lancashire, was forced to suspend its sailings due to smoke detection in its machinery room. The incident occurred at approximately 02:15 a.m. BST during the ferry's crossing from Heysham to Douglas, prompting an immediate emergency response. Passengers were swiftly directed to their designated emergency stations as part of the standard safety protocols. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among passengers or crew members, and the vessel's overall safety remained uncompromised. Consequently, the ferry's 08:30 a.m. departure to Lancashire and its subsequent return trip later in the afternoon have been cancelled while a thorough investigation into the situation is conducted.

The 'Manxman' ferry, while making its way from Liverpool, encountered difficulties and became grounded in Douglas on the evening of March 1, 2025. At approximately 6 p.m., the vessel attempted to dock multiple times but remained lodged in the harbour as of 6:30 p.m. The captain informed passengers that the ferry was expected to refloat with the assistance of the incoming tide around 7:30 p.m. In light of this situation, divers conducted an inspection of the hull shortly after the incident. This grounding resulted in a delay for the scheduled 7:15 p.m. sailing to Heysham, which eventually departed at 9:13 p.m. To alleviate further schedule disruptions, the return journey from Heysham was adjusted to leave 15 minutes earlier at 1:30 a.m. Authorities from the Isle of Man Ship Registry and the vessel's classification society were notified of the incident. For more detailed coverage featuring photos and videos, visit: https://www.manx.news/relegation-sealed-for-farmers/ and https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/divers-inspecting-manxman-after-issues-berthing-in-douglas/

An unfortunate incident occurred during the mooring maneuver of the 'Manxman' as it arrived at Douglas, Isle of Man, from Heysham on February 15, 2024, at 6 p.m. GMT. A crew member sustained injuries and was promptly transported to the hospital for medical care. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event, collaborating with all relevant authorities to ensure a thorough review. Consequently, the planned departure at 7:45 p.m. and the subsequent sailing on February 16 at 02:15 a.m. from Heysham have been cancelled. Passengers affected by this disruption are being offered alternative travel arrangements or a full refund for their tickets.