Improved harbour dredging needed, report finds

The Manxman was grounded in Douglas Harbour on 1 March

A more comprehensive dredging programme is needed in Douglas Harbour, an investigation into the temporary grounding of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's flagship ferry has found.

On 1 March, the arrival of the Manxman was delayed by 105 minutes when it got stuck on a "hump" of sediment.

The report, by the government's Health and Safety Advisory Service, said the direct cause was "insufficient water depth", but "poor communication" and the use of outdated depth charts has also contributed to the incident.

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) said it accepted the 12 recommendations made and work had begun in a number of areas following the review's findings.

The review said low spring tides and high pressure had lowered the water level in the harbour, causing the Manxman to become grounded.

It found "no process or procedure for dredging" was in place and manual tidal gauges had been obscured by algae.

It also raised concerns there were no communication procedures in place for stakeholders to receive updated charts from the DOI's Harbours Division.

It suggested that if the ferry firm had been using the "most up-to-date" information, the vessel may have avoided the harbour at that time on the evening in question.

'Lessons identified'

The investigation said the recommendations aimed to address the root causes and contributing factors to "prevent future incidents".

It advised regular surveys mapping the harbours should be carried out, alongside a "proactive dredging plan" to manage "silt accumulation and maintain safe navigational channels".

It also found communication procedures for distributing "vital navigational information" to all harbour users should also be introduced.

It also called for finances for surveys, dredging and the maintenance of the DOI work boat Tarroo Ushtey, which carries out intermittent dredging, to be budgeted for.

Dredging works in Douglas Harbour were carried out immediately after the incident

The DOI said, following on from the grounding, dredging of the outer harbour had been completed over Easter by a UK firm using specialist equipment.

Further dredging by Tarroo Ushtey had been completed, and subsequent surveys measuring water depth had been carried out, it confirmed.

The Harbours Division has also compiled a five-year survey plan, which included communication of survey data, and a focus group of commercial port users had been formed, the department added.

A DOI spokesman said the department welcomed "the lessons identified" and it was "committed to acting on the recommendations".