'Atrocious' behaviour by minority claims Packet

The Steam Packet Company claims unruly passengers on Monday’s cancelled sailing abused and assaulted crew as well as damaging the terminal in Liverpool.

Chief Executive Mark Woodward says fixtures and fittings in the toilets and main departure lounge at the Pier Head were damaged by what he calls an ‘unruly minority’ of travellers.

The claims come after passengers arriving in Douglas yesterday told Manx Radio they were upset at spending four hours aboard the Manannan before the sailing was cancelled because of technical problems.

Mr Woodward, however, says a total of nine announcements were made before the decision was taken to call off the sailing and people were kept informed via text messages and social media.

In a statement, the Steam Packet says its staff faced threatening behaviour and were physically assaulted by some angry passengers.

Merseyside Police, however, say no arrests were made as its officers helped find accommodation in the early hours of Monday morning after the sailing had to be cancelled.

Mr Woodward confirmed more than 150 hotel rooms were provided for those affected, while 85 vehicles were transferred to another sailing.

He says some people had to stay in a communal conference room at a nearby hotel, which he admits wasn’t ideal.

But he also praised the helpfulness of staff, who he says were facing extremely difficult circumstances.