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The chairman of leading Manx freight company says the recent spell of high winds is the worst he has ever seen.
John Quaye says in his 40 years in the transport business he has never known such a prolonged period of gales, always from a westerly direction.
The high winds have resulted in frequent cancellations of sailings, with disruption for passengers and some serious delays in getting goods across to the Island.
Mr Quaye says even with both bow thrusters working properly the wind direction would have made it difficult or impossible for the Ben-my-Chree to dock at Heysham.
But he remains convinced the Packet should get rid of its fast craft and get another conventional boat:
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