Steam Packet passenger vessel Ben-my-Chree struck the linkspan in Douglas last night, and is being forced to undergo emergency repairs.
No injuries were reported following the incident, which took place around tea-time at the vessel’s usual King Edward Pier Linkspan, Number 5 berth.
However, there will be no sailing today as the damage is assessed.
Manannan operated the Ben’s scheduled Heysham sailing last night and will operate her normal schedule today.
A Steam Packet spokesman said: ‘Those booked to travel on the Ben will be transferred to the scheduled Manannan sailings to and from Liverpool. Foot passengers will be transferred to Heysham as required. We have made every effort to contact affected passengers and freight customers to advise them of these alternative arrangements.’
Steam Packet Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We are working with the Department of Infrastructure to assess the damage to the Linkspan and whether this will impact on the Ben’s sailings from that berth.
‘It is too early to say how long it will take to repair. We will, of course, be launching an internal investigation into the incident.
‘The Ben was damaged approximately four metres above its water line and emergency repairs were started overnight. These are expected to be completed before this evening’s scheduled 19.45 sailing to Heysham.
‘We will assess what long-term repairs are required to Ben-my-Chree before making any decision on when those repairs might take place and the timescales involved. At this point we do not expect there to be any impact on the Ben’s schedule during TT fortnight.’