Ben-my-Chree returns to service

The Ben-my-Chree will resume her scheduled services tomorrow (31st)

The news has been confirmed by the Steam Packet this afternoon (Tues 30th) after repairs to the vessel's steering gear were successfully completed.

She will come back into service with the 8.45am sailing to Heysham.

Specialist engineers from Rolls Royce had to be brought in to help with repairs to the fault, which has meant the vessel has been unable to sail since Saturday morning on safety grounds.

The fastcraft Manannan had to be brought out of dry dock in Liverpool to provide stand-in passenger services, whilst the MV Arrow has been carrying out freight duties for the last few days.

Steam Packet Chief Executive Mark Woodward has again apologised for the inconvenience and says repairs have been carried out as quickly as possible.

He's also paid tribute to the call centre staff and the many volunteers from other parts of the business who worked into the evening on Saturday and from 6am on Sunday to try and help passengers make alternative travel arrangements.

Mr Woodward says he appreciates some passengers experienced difficulties getting through to reservations agents, and understand their frustrations, but adds that more than 2,500 passengers were affected by the weekend cancellations and operators worked flat out to try and cope with the volume of calls. Staff also assisted people who had gone to the Sea Terminal.

He adds that he believes staff did their best with limited resources and in difficult circumstances.