Family tell of 'terrifying' stormy ferry crossing

Jessica Birch was traveling with her husband Alex and son Noah

A family of three have spoken of the "terrifying" ordeal that unfolded as stormy conditions battered a ferry crossing from Liverpool to the Isle of Man, leaving passengers injured and cars damaged.

Jessica Birch was returning to the island with her six-year-old son Noah and husband Alex on Sunday's evening's fast-craft Manannan sailing.

She said the weather had at first seemed normal but 45 minutes in to the sailing a warning was issued for the public to remain seated and sick bags were being handed out.

Mrs Birch said she was "absolutely terrified at points" as the boat was crashing against waves and shaking, causing the lights to flicker, with other passengers describing ceiling panels falling down.

The crossing also led to vehicles in the car deck being jostled around around and damaged, leaving some passengers unable to leave with their vehicles.

Engineers also had to secure vending machines to the wall to stop them falling over.

Seasoned ferry traveller Mrs Birch said: "I have seen it all but this was something else.

"It was one of the most traumatic travel experiences of my life."

It was the fast craft Manannan's final crossing of the season

At one point, she said the captain "shouted over the tannoy working party, code red" - a coded message alerting crew members to the situation.

"At that point, you saw the panic on everyone's faces, and I was thinking what does code red mean?", she said.

"All I could think of was if we are going to sink, what would I do?"

The ferry operator has since confirmed the alert was made after an indication of smoke was detected in one of the engines.

The crew was stood down shortly afterwards following a "thorough investigation", the firm had said.

Cars were damaged as they were jostled around by the waves

Mrs Birch continued: "I was absolutely terrified at points, but the camaraderie between passengers was absolutely incredible, people doing what they can to help other people, which restored my faith in humanity.

"The crew deserve all the commendations they could possibly get because they didn't stop the whole time.

"The journey would have been much worse without them."

On Monday, operator Steam Packet apologised to passengers and thanked them for their understanding and co-operation.

It confirmed there had been several injuries but did not provide any further detail.

The sea had been rougher than forecasted, with the wave height predicted to have been within the operational limits of the vessel, the firm had said.

Another passenger, who asked not to be named, said: "We quickly realised we wouldn't be able to leave with our car as many had jammed together from the rough crossing."

"It wasn't safe to drive and had to be taken to a garage for inspection."