Ferry to be temporarily taken out of service

The Isle of Man's main stand-in passenger ferry is to be temporarily taken out of service for essential maintenance.

The Ben-my-Chree has been covering the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's sailings between Douglas and Heysham in Lancashire while the flagship vessel, the Manxman, undergoes significant repairs.

However, the firm said urgent work was needed on the Ben-my-Chree's stern door, leaving it out of action on Tuesday morning.

The daytime return sailing will now be carried out by the Manannan, with the Arrow covering freight services.

The morning sailing will depart Douglas Harbour at 08:00 GMT, while the return crossing will leave at 13:45.

The fast craft's seasonal schedule is set to come to an end on Wednesday with a final return sailing to Larne in Northern Ireland.

The Ben-my-Chree was kept in the government-owned firm's ferry fleet as a back-up to the Manxman and has been operating return sailings to Lancashire since mid-July.

Damage to the Manxman was discovered when the vessel entered drydock for scheduled maintenance, leaving it out of action until late November.

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