Changes to Sunday sailing schedule due to poor weather

It means the Ben-my-Chree will operate the Sunday morning sailing to Heysham, departing Douglas at the revised time of 8:30am and returning from Heysham at 2pm.

The company says this due to Manannan currently operating on three engines. The master has confirmed that although the sea state would not pose a problem, it will be unable to sail on Sunday due to reduced ability to manoeuvre in the confines of Heysham Port and there being no tug on hand to assist.

Manannan’s sailing to Liverpool at 4pm has been rescheduled to depart at 3:15pm with the return remaining as scheduled at 8pm.

The predicted strong winds exceed the Manxman’s current temporary operating limit for entering Douglas Harbour, meaning the round-Island Cruise will be pushed back to a later date.

On Sunday, the Steam Packet says the Manxman will remain at sea until the weather conditions allow a return to port later in the afternoon, however, and Sunday evening’s 8pm departure to Heysham will go ahead, based on current forecasts.

That sailing is due to be the Manxman's first overnight voyage.

Managing Director Brian Thomson said: "As ever, the decision to make changes to the published schedules is not one taken lightly. Our team has considered various options to ensure sailings can go ahead as far as possible, but we can’t ever compromise on safety. We have done our level best to ensure minimum inconvenience, but we can only apologise to those customers who have to make changes to their plans because of this announcement."

"We will be in touch with customers looking forward to the Round the Island Cruise on Manxman. We will be making an announcement as soon as possible about the replacement date and we’ll work with customers to try and ensure everyone gets the chance to experience Manxman."

You can the latest sailing schedule here.