Work ongoing to introduce ID checks at ferry port

Jane Poole-Wilson said discussions continued on the introduction of ID checks at Manx ports

Work is ongoing to "verify the identities" of those travelling to the Isle of Man by ferry as part of efforts to tighten border controls, the home affairs minister has confirmed.

Jane Poole-Wilson said "active conversations" were being had with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company about a possible future requirement to carry identification.

Speaking at the 2025 government conference, she explained while there was no confirmed timeline for the move, discussions would take into account the island's "security and other obligations within the Common Travel Area (CTA) rules".

The minister also confirmed work was progressing on the legislation to underpin the use of facial recognition technology.

At the 2024 conference, Poole-Wilson launched the Securing Our Island strategy as she said organised crime, including drug trafficking, had become "an increasing threat".

At the latest event, held at the Comis Hotel in Santon, she restated the government's aims to maintain safety and security "in the face of evolving threats" and said "knowing who is travelling here is a key aspect of better security".

The minister highlighted the introduction of number plate recognition technology at the Sea Terminal in Douglas in May, which had "contributed to the detection of vehicles used for criminal purposes".

She also said the department had previously found the ability to book ferry tickets using cash had presented a "significant challenge", but this issue had been prevented after the firm moved to cashless transactions for bookings in March.

Number plate recognition technology was introduced at the Sea Terminal in Douglas earlier this year

Minister Poole-Wilson said work was also continuing to develop an "efficient way" to confirm passenger's identities and "as a step before that", discussions were ongoing about "the potential to introduce a requirement to carry a form of identification".

Common Travel Area rules provided for limited border checks, but conversations were being undertaken to "implement some form of requirement" to carry and to check ID, she said.

During her update on the strategy, she also confirmed work had continued on a draft bill on the use of facial recognition technology.

She said the department aimed to launch a public consultation before the end of the year on the issues, with a view to progressing introducing the bill to the branches of Tynwald for consideration in 2026.