"There is a seat for everyone on the Ben-my-Chree"

SPC boss responds to complaints of overcrowding while Manxman is out of action

The Steam Packet’s managing director insists there is a seat for every passenger on the Ben-my-Chree.

Since Manxman was withdrawn from service due to mechanical faults, there have been complaints on social media of overcrowding and people sitting on the floor.

The company's flagship vessel being out of action has also left customers without the cabins they’d booked, leaving many expressing their disappointment towards the company's inability to offer a replacement on the back-up vessel. 

Cabins on the Ben-my-Chree are used for crew accommodation as a result of the company's switch to a live onboard policy and can’t be sold to the public. 

Acknowledging the disappointment of passengers with cabin bookings, Brian Thomson told Manx Radio all affected bookings will be refunded:

Mr Thomson says staff are working through a "huge number" of customers, but promised everyone would be contacted before they sail. 

Although he adds the situation is "not one we want to be in", he insists the company is constrained by the size and layout of Ben-my-Chree, a vessel he noted "the public wanted us to keep".

On reports of passengers struggling to find space, he maintains the ship is certified to carry its current numbers and that seating is available for all: "There is a seat for every single person booked on the vessel… I would urge them to approach a member of staff who will find them a seat. 

"Unfortunately, it won’t be the seat you want. It might not be who you want to sit beside, but there definitely is a seat for every person."

He added that staff are "working really hard to try and accommodate everybody as best we can" while the disruption continues.