What we know so far
There appears to be no end currently in sight for the ongoing industrial dispute between the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and the seafarers union Nautilus.
Passenger sailings on the Manxman are currently down to one return crossing a day, during daylight hours, as the vessel is undermanned for the next two weeks due to a rostered officer having to unexpectedly take leave for personal reasons.
The shortage of staff has been compounded by ongoing industrial action short of strike by the Nautilus.
That action means no fellow officers will swap shifts or cover the absence via paid overtime.
Steam Packet Managing Director Brian Thomson was asked how many passengers this move may affect:
When asked whether a solution is in sight, Mr Thomson insisted the company has 'always' approached negotiations 'fairly and openly':
NAUTILUS RESPONSE
In response to the adjusted schedule, Nautilus' Senior National Secretary Garry Elliot told Manx Radio: "Nautilus is aware of the Steam Packet Company's need to introduce a contingency sailing schedule due to unforeseen short staffing and the ongoing industrial action short of a strike.
"The legal and proportionate action being taken by Nautilus members at the company will continue in response to the use of fire and rehire by the company to force through presently unacceptable contractual changes.
"We remain willing and available to discuss a resolution to the action short of strike with the company and encourage them to make a genuine offer that is acceptable to members."
MANXMAN
So, what about the Manxman herself?
Mr Thomson insists that she is 'absolutely' the right boat for the Isle of Man.
The managing director has been responding to concerns from Manx Radio listeners.
With travel chaos seen over the festive period, the suitability of the £78m ferry to run a service between Douglas and Heysham is one often questioned online.
But Mr Thomson insists the concept design came from what's required by the Sea Services Agreement, and is what the Manx public asked for:
FOOD SECURITY
Concerns have been raised over food security with pictures showing empty shelves in a number of the Island's supermarkets over the last few days.
But yesterday (3 January) the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture sought to offer reassurance that food or animal feed availability has not yet been impacted by the staffing issues at the Steam Packet.
A spokesperson said we are instead 'seeing some typical supply chain challenges with the larger food retailers, that are associated with the weather, and are not unexpected for the time of the year'.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
Elsewhere, ahead of the latest developments, Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse told Manx Radio he believes the current arm's length relationship between the company and the government isn't working.
He said the lack of intervention by the Cannan administration with regards to the ongoing industrial dispute was 'becoming more and more frustrating:
Mr Moorhouse will seek support for further oversight of the company when Tynwald sits this month.
He has submitted a motion for the court to consider whether the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority (CURA) could act as a regulator for the Steam Packet Company.
He says this would provide an additional level of protection for users.
Yesterday afternoon, Treasury issued an update following an emergency meeting held in the morning between its minister, the chief minister and Steam Packet bosses.
A spokesperson for the department said the discussions centred on 'gaining further insights into the current industrial dispute and exploring strategies to minimise disruptions to passenger services and to freight deliveries'.
They confirmed 'a series of regular updates' will follow, and that 'proposed measures' will be shared and discussed with the Council of Ministers today (Thursday 4 January).
Mr Thomson was asked about the meeting by John Moss:
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