Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward has spoken of his continued frustration on the release of the company’s latest revised sailing schedule.
Manannan remains in dry dock in Cammel Laird’s shipyard in Birkenhead, with repairs due to be completed later today.
The vessel was damaged last week when it crashed into Victoria Pier in Douglas.
It had been due to resume its timetable this morning but repair work could not be completed within the original schedule.
According to a statement released this lunchtime this was due to a ‘24-hour delay entering dry dock, which was caused by work to another vessel overrunning’.
And now, the statement continues: ‘Due to low tide heights over the next few days and the associated limitations on opening and closing of the dry dock gates, and despite repairs to Manannan being completed, the first available undocking tide is now expected to be 8am on Sunday.’
Mr Woodward said: ‘I share the sense of frustration that I know our passengers will feel. Had we been able to get into dry dock as promised, our work would have been completed in time and we would have been able to meet our original deadline for Manannan to be back in service.
‘I would like to sincerely apologise once again for the inconvenience to passengers.’
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REVISED SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 31
All passengers and vehicles booked on the 11:15 sailing from Liverpool will automatically be transferred to the 14:15 sailing from Heysham
All passengers and vehicles booked on the 15:00 sailing to Liverpool will automatically be transferred to the 19:45 sailing to Heysham
All passengers and vehicles booked on the 19:15 sailing from Liverpool will automatically be transferred to the 02:15 sailing from Heysham on Friday, April 1.
Friday, April 1
Passengers and vehicles booked on the 07:30 sailing to Liverpool are asked to contact the Call Centre on 01624 661661 or 08722 992992 to discuss available alternatives. If you have an online account the best way to check for alternative sailing options is to log in to your online account, access your booking and use the ‘amend’ function.
All passengers and vehicles booked on the 11:15 sailing from Liverpool will automatically be transferred to the 14:15 sailing from Heysham
All passengers and vehicles booked on the 15:00 sailing to Liverpool will automatically be transferred to the 19:45 sailing to Heysham
All passengers and vehicles booked on the 19:15 sailing from Liverpool will automatically be transferred to the 02:15 sailing from Heysham on Saturday, April 2.
Saturday, April 2
Passengers and vehicles booked on the 07:30 sailing to Liverpool and the 11:15 sailing from Liverpool are asked to contact the Call Centre on 01624 661661 or 08722 992992 to discuss available alternatives. If you have an online account the best way to check for alternative sailing options is to log in to your online account, access your booking and use the ‘amend’ function.
All passengers and vehicles booked on the 15:00 sailing to Liverpool will automatically be transferred to the 19:45 sailing to Heysham
All passengers and vehicles booked on the 19:15 sailing from Liverpool will automatically be transferred to the 02:15 sailing from Heysham on Sunday, April 3
Coach transfers for foot passengers
Coaches will be available to transfer foot passengers between Liverpool and Heysham as follows:
Depart Liverpool Terminal 11:00 for the 14:15 Heysham departure
Depart Liverpool Terminal 20:30 for the 02:15 Heysham departure
Depart Heysham on arrival of Ben-my-Chree – journey time is expected to be approximately 90 minutes
Notice for online account holders on disrupted Manannan sailings - The best way to check for alternative sailing options is to log in to your online account, access your booking and use the ‘amend’ function.
Sunday, April 3
07:00 sailing to Belfast will now depart at 12:00
10:45 sailing from Belfast will now depart at 16:00
15:00 sailing to Liverpool will now depart at 20:00
19:15 sailing from Liverpool will now depart at 23:30
A further update will be provided should any of the above plans change.