hmc

Complete and utter over reaction by Jackie Betteridge. Her interview was in my view atrocious! I was on the Mannanan on Monday and whilst the technical hitch was a real pain, to be fair, I thought the Captain did a pretty good job of keeping people informed what was going on. Foot passengers without checked in luggage were given the opportunity to disembark well before those with checked in luggage or vehicles. I am not aware that anyone who then travelled up to Heysham didn't get on and there seemed enough room on the car deck. I was informed when getting off the Mannanan that the Heysham boat was being held for us. Having had a wander round the boat I would describe it as pretty busy but not full. Am not a huge supporter of the Steam Packet and whilst I can not comment of the arrangements for foot passengers (I do recall the Captain talking of getting hotels) I can't knock the Captain for the way in which he kept passengers informed about what was going on. We were all offered a free drink and before the foit passengers disembarked they were offered free food. Difficult situation for all I guess but given the circumstances I thought they probably did as much as they could.

I was on the Mannanan also and totally agree with everything in this post. It's spot on!

Not necessarily. In the end competition will be a good thing if it prompts a review of the user agreement and the economics of shipping in general. For example - it is really sensible to expect the Steam Packet to run fast ferries ? And why not subsidise domestic and passenger services out of direct taxation like the Scottish ferries? Infrastructure is exactly the sort of thing which taxes are supposed to pay for. Shipping is an essential service. As long as it breaks-even that is all that actually matters. Perhaps it should operate as a not for profit service, looking forward. Simple, just take Easkjet and a hire car! F**k Woodward and his threats!

It can berth, I'm sure where it berths is a permanent deep bearth.....