Report gives recommendations to Isle of Man Harbours Division following incident on 1 March
The Department of Infrastructure says it has 'identified lessons' following a report into the grounding of the Manxman in Douglas Harbour.
It happened on 1 March as the Steam Packet's flagship vessel was approaching berth 5 on the King Edward VIII Pier.
Around an hour before low-tide that evening Manxman ran aground on a "hump" of sediment, where it was stuck for little over an hour-and-a-half whilst the crew waited for the rising tide to re-float the vessel.
The report says the direct cause was insufficient depth, with less water in the harbour on the day due to the spring tides and pressure.
Report's findings and conclusions
Underlying Causes:
• Low spring tides and high atmospheric pressure.
• Tidal gauges were unreadable, and no live data was available
• Lack of maintenance and no process or procedure for dredging.
• No communication procedures for stakeholders to receive updated charts.
• No survey plan.
Root Causes:
• Lack of effective safety management system within the Division.
• Poor communication and management oversight.
• No formal checks to ensure work is conducted as per the Safety Management System (SMS).
• Poor safety culture and communication within the Harbours Division.
Navigational and Clearance Dredging
• No regular process for maintenance dredging or capital dredging.
• Dredging operations are reactive, following reports from vessels.
• The last capital dredging was conducted over 20 years ago.
• Budget constraints in regular maintenance and procurement of full surveys.
Harbour Conditions at the Time of Incidident
• Spring tides and high atmospheric pressure reduced water levels.
• The electronic tidal gauge data was delayed by up to 20 minutes.
• Manual tidal gauges were obscured by algae.
Survey and Chart Issues
• The most recent full survey was conducted in June 2024, showing a depth of 5 to 5.5 meters.
• A partial survey in August 2024 showed a depth of 4.7 meters at the grounding site.
• The June 2024 survey was not communicated to the IOMSPC.
• The IOMSPC used outdated charts from July 2023.
Dredging Operations
• The work boat Tarroo Ushtey is used for dredging but has mechanical issues.
• No dredging plan or schedule exists, and training cannot be ascertained if conducted or what the requirements are.
Roles and Responsibilities
• Lack of clarity and defined processes for key roles within the Harbours Division.
• No documented process for the transmission of survey charts to harbour users.
• Roles and responsibilities should be defined and disseminated more effectively to the right job role and accountability checked.
• Poor communication and lack of involvement in safety matters.
• Historical working relationship problems between key personnel.
• Incidents are not investigated quickly to improve safety and reports and findings and recommendations not communicated.
The report also details how the ferry operator had raised concerns about the conditions in the harbour before the vessel ran aground.
Following reports from the Steam Packet that its vessel was "scraping", the area was resurveyed on 12 August 2024.
Despite only a small section of the harbour being surveyed, it did however show the “hump” to the NE of the berth and the depth of 4.6 metres at the grounding site.
According to the report, this survey was commissioned by the Ports Manager and it was alleged that he held the updated chart.
However, it wasn't found in the Ports Manager file and there is no evidence that this chart had been communicated to the Steam Packet Company.
Following the incident the chart was later found filed in a different folder, harbours and coastguard operator’s folder.
The report says it's important to note that this survey was not a full survey of the outer harbour, but a small section surrounding the King Edward VIII Pier and berth 5.
The Department of Infrastructure says it accepts the report's findings and recommendations.
A spokesman says: ‘This independent report represents a thorough and transparent review of the circumstances.
'The Department welcomes the lessons identified and is committed to acting on the recommendations. The investigation focused on understanding the root causes and contributing factors.
‘The Department has already begun implementing the recommendations, including reviewing operational procedures, enhancing control measures, and compliance with safety protocols. These steps are part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
'The Department has worked together with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and is pleased by the positive approach being taken by everybody in the process.'
The department says work has already begun in a number of areas following the findings of the report.
These include:
• Plough dredge of Douglas outer harbour, including the charted hump, Number 1 & 5 berths and the fuel berth was completed during the Easter period by a UK dredge firm using specialised plough dredge equipment and survey equipment.
• Further dredging by the Department of Infrastructure’s Tarroo Ushtey was completed on 25 June and continues.
• A bathymetric survey of the Douglas outer harbour was completed following the Tarroo Ushtey dredge operation. A further bathymetric survey was completed on 13 August.
• The Harbours Division has compiled a five-year survey plan, which includes communication to stakeholders of survey data.
• The Harbours Division has introduced the Commercial Port Users Group. The initial meeting was held on 26 June 2025. The group has representation from: Isle of Man Harbours, Isle of Man Steam Packet, Mezeron, Manx Petroleum, Manx Energy, Manx Fish Producers Organisation, Laxey Towing Company, Ellan Vannin Fuels and Ramsey Shipping Co Ltd.
You can find a link to the full report HERE.
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