Sean South

Someone taking it out for a "test drive"??

It would surely make more sense to transfer him to an open prison, given that he's no threat and it would free up a space in the Manx Prison for someone... more deserving? Or make him live in Ramsey? A bit too harsh... maybe?

It would surely make more sense to transfer him to an open prison, given that he's no threat and it would free up a space in the Manx Prison for someone... more deserving?

Fair dues to Manx Radio... it only took them twenty hours to lift this story: Manx Radio Maybe now they'll address some other issues we flagged here... Like who the ten people who are charged over the Douglas East Election debacle!

And they might have a job shifting it... There's a few available for charter/sale around Europe and the Middle East...

I thought they might hold on to it now they've seen off the competition? Seacat For Sale 1 careful owner... Not!

Couldn't have put it better. It's up to the legislators to make it so. It won't happen anytime soon then...!

Yes. I accept your assertions re the financial position and the need to redistribute cash, however, the situation for most companies is that they can redeem cash from other branches as and when required to stave off any threats. I do not believe this to be the case with the SPCo/McQuarrie. I think I stated somewhere way back in this thread that I don't quite agree with "open competition" on any of the transport providers/routes. What I proposed was a form of licencing or franchise whereby Government would licence the sea routes similarly to how the air routes are licenced. Therefore, say, the Steampacket could retain their current routes if they wished and the licencing body agreed, but a new operator could apply to run an alternative between, say, Douglas and Fleetwood for example. Therefore control is maintained BUT underperformers or poorly capitalised operators risk losing their licence. Let's face it, nobody believes that there isn't a substantial profit to be made on the IoM Irish sea routes. Do they? But security of service must be maintained for the islanders and potential visitors and traders. This is enhanced, in my opinion, by not restricting provision of that service to just one, potentially shaky, operator.

I may be a sad person, but as for the rest of your comments you are way off the mark as usual. What I fail to understand is why some posters who for whatever reason who have moved away from the Island seem to retain far more time and interest and involvement for somewhere they have left rather than where they are. It may not apply to you but it seems that some are almost clinging to an old life as they are unable to make a new life and friends where they have moved through. I do not expect if people who move away from where they were brought up or lived a long time to have no interest in those places, I still look out for the news etc from such places of my own, but I feel no need to comment or try and get involved in such places that really no longer concern me directly. But that's just what I don't understand. Surely you must agree that the more opinion that is thrown into the pot then the more likelihood of finding a universally acceptable and, most importantly, viable solution for everyone? And, I've said this many many times, I have no beef with the SPCo per sé. What I do have an issue with is them being controlled by a bunch of faceless businessmen on the other side of the planet many of whom have probably never even been to the Isle of Man. The SPCo prior to the sell out would have had ample cash reserves to see off any competitor comfortably. They were a cash rich company. They have, effectively, been raped and left impotent. If it wasn't Mezeron that sunk them someone else will because now any potential competitor knows that to secure, say 30% of their business would drive them under very fast. Now, do you really honestly believe that makes for a secure long term ferry company for the Island? Do you think the Aussies will pump back in loads of cash to prop it up against strong competition? I know this is hard for you to believe but I absolutely want a strong secure ferry company for the Isle of Man but it must be able to stand on it's own two feet. As it is, it is extremely vulnerable to outside competition, Union action etc etc. and is in no way secure and cannot guarantee what both you and I strive for.

Now sit down before you read this, but the Steam Packet don't just take people off the island and back again, sometimes people get on at the other end, come to the island, and then go back across. Yes, the steam packet atually allow comeovers to comeover, and if the price of that can be reduced, there would be more doing so, which actually helps the island out. Difficult to grasp I know, but there you have it. I wouldn't bother Fatshaft. He wants his little gene pool all to himself. No comeovers, stopovers or leftovers and any of us who have dared leave the island to broaden our horizons are definitely persona non grata. He's a sad lad.

No first time poster, pray tell as that is why you registered in the first place. To spread a rumour. I remember asking a well known businessman that has much property on the island and elsewhere, if one of his businesses was for sale and he told me that everything is for sale if someone makes the right offer!

Fair enough. Maybe you'll dispense with the snide remarks in future then?:

I'm talking about a vessel with a ramp from the stern not a side loader.. @Manxbaz: You didn't answer my query in response to your earlier post re the user agreement prohibiting RoRo vessels?

I'm no expert but I imagine that if the tide was out the vehicles would roll off the boat straight into the quay wall. Regardless of whether the tide is in or out the ramp will still work effectively and the vehicles simply drive on and off directly onto the quay. What's the difficulty with that?