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Passenger watchdog says Steampacket will learn lessons after fastcraft problems

The Island’s passenger watchdog says it thinks the Steam Packet will be learning lessons after problems with its fastcraft over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Mechanical problems with the Manannan has meant delays and some cancelled sailings in recent days, including today's journey to Belfast.

Specialists were brought in this morning to have a look at the electronic management systems, which it was thought were being affected by one of the engines not running at the moment.

Some passengers had to spend an unexpected night in Liverpool and a group of festival-goers who had been to Leeds said it meant their trip home had taken anything up to 24 hours.

The Steampacket has apologised for the problem but says it has now been fixed and the vessel arrived in Douglas around 4pm this afternoon.

Dick Clague from Travelwatch says whilst there was no magic wand the company could have waved to conjure up another vessel, the Packet will be looking seriously to see what could be done to avoid such a problem happening again . .

 

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