Frances

It's too late in the tourist season to take Mannanan out of service for even 'small' modifications as no other vessel can substitute for Liverpool crossings - it would probably be the cheapest option to delay until early September at earliest - whether even then they will get Manxman certified etc to use it, using the Ben to take over Heysham services, is doubtful as they don't have enough staff to keep two terminals open -my guess is that staff training will start early next year using the Feb/March period to get the Masters trained in using the new terminal before the fairly gentle start of summer services.

True but that is inherent in the requirement of all port systems that outgoing passengers past the security point cannot mingle with those incoming from elsewhere - hence you will probably find the new terminal is two levels to segregate passengers - there will soon be exceptional security needed for Manx links if the IoM retains link with Ireland as thanks to NI's unique position of both being in the UK and in the EU it will be be a magnet for asylum claimants.

Manannan is terrible in a rough sea - very unpleasant - luckily being a summer boat few people experience its poor ride

For those off island - at Liverpool passengers embark via a set of steps and a short link across to the boat, they disembark via the car ramp via a railed off section on the riverside of the boat thus not having to cross the line of traffic and walk up the far ramp whereas the entry point for departures is the other ramp.

I suspect the SPCo is typical of a monopoly supplier - some 20+ years ago when I introduced a close friend to the delights of the Ben and the then smaller SeaCats he was, and always remained, of the judgement that it was the worst of those he had used (which include the Irish, Dutch, French and Spanish) - those to the Scottish islands we found to be considerably better. In many ways Passengers are a nuisance with freight being the all important cash cow. The food on the Ben could never match that of the Silver service of the Northlink ferries between Aberdeen + Shetland but then the travelling time is generally less than 4 hours and a carry on snack is usually sufficient.

That doesn't sound good - was it vibrating with a very loud engine noise - if so sounds as though the supposedly fixed 'engine unbalance or resonance' has returned - ? two boats giving trouble just before TT would be a major problem especially as only Manannan can use the now restricted Pier head

that set back courtyard can be seen in the 1867 O/S 1:500 plan the entrance to Guttery Gable (originally the side wall of Paul Kelly's herring house hence the name) can be seen

I see that Manxradio is stating that However, Treasury has now confirmed inaccurate figures were included in the preliminary calculation, which are likely to have been significantly more favourable to the vessel. which to my mind is ambiguous - does it mean the Ben was less powerful and thus the limit of 48% can be raised or more powerful and thus the power limit needs to be reduced - either way it seems both the SPCo and Government are working on incorrect figures - I realise that SPCo wish to get rid of the Ben then with no alternative to a boat unsuited both to weather and ports restrict the number of sailings per year with considerably higher fares needed to keep the flow of money into Treasury

Manannan couldn't keep the ramp down at Liverpool finally get off for the nominal 11.15 sailing at 15:25 - arrived after a voyage during which the master reduced speed because at full speed the journey was just too uncomfortable - all the cars were specially tied down Manxman is becoming obvious as the white elephant, neither of its two target ports can really cope with it, extremely unlikely the boat will be sensibly filled with passengers during 6months of the winter season, full capacity will not be allowed for safety reasons, must be costing significantly more than the Ben did in fuel - one suggestion I heard today was that the South Korean builders wanted to enter the small cruiseship business and Manxman was costed as a demonstrator and the SPCo bosses (ie the non sailing officers) were temped and overruled objections from experienced staff

I see Manx Radio is reporting "The chair of the organisation has admitted the public's perception of the vessel is that it's 'unreliable' but says the board was expecting more issues to have arisen than did. Does this mean that there is yet more to go wrong with the boat, harbour(s) + service over the comming year ?

yes it is considerably more comfortable but for those of us who use public transport to get away from the ports the short notice cancellations or changes in timing are a major problem - as I kept on repeating the Ben was exceptionally reliable (at least in last 15 years) and one could book onward travel - not so with the new boat in last 5 months

there used to be a difference between the large Ramsey shop and the smaller Peel shop - might have changed tho as I don't use the Ramsey store much these days

wasn't the Manxman due to make its debut at the new Liverpool terminal this morning - did it ? and does it like Manannan need modifications to suit the terminal ?

that depends if they still run a fast craft - removing that would save a lot of money as well as CO2 - arrow runs all freight - 2 or 3 Liverpool sailings a week during winter daily during summer with at peak periods 2 daylight services early morning departure noon return late afternoon back and mid evening or even late evening back - this might well be a reason for dual staff on board edit to add - the TT should be dead by then or as seems to be the case the major reward being from video feeds the awkward need to convey peak loads of bikers is no longer needed - a sanitised video feed would keep government happy

the PAX loading figures for the Ben were obviously known to the SPCo though not publicised - from 15 years of regular sailings mid week in winter the Ben was seldom even half full - many times less than 100 passengers - maybe weekends were better used. The Manxman is very comfortable but considerably too large for over half the year