Manxman: 100 days in dry dock for SPC's flagship vessel

Passenger ferry due to return to service in November

Manxman's two propulsion shafts, liners and bearings, which were repaired in Denmark, are in the process of being refitted.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company issued the update this week (20 October).

The £80million-taxpayer funded flagship vessel has entered dry dock in Birkenhead, where engineers from a specialist marine engineering firm will carry out the work.

While the shafts are being reinstalled, work will also be undertaken on Manxman’s propellers to ensure they meet the required operational and regulatory standards before the vessel returns to service.

The repairs are already said to have cost in the region of £5million.

She's been out of service since July, after issues were identified.

However, at the end of July, the return date was updated to the end of September.

And in September that date was extended again to November.

Its official return date is still yet to be confirmed.

The next update from the Steam Packet is expected next Tuesday (27 October).