Manxman ferry damaged entering Lancashire port

The Manxman took over as the island's main passenger ferry a year ago

The Isle of Man's main passenger ferry was damaged while docking at Heysham Port in the early hours, the operator has confirmed.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said no passengers or crew were injured but no details about precisely what happened have been released.

Passengers due to travel on the Manxman's 02:15 return service were transferred to back-up vessel the Ben-My-Chree, which set sail shortly after 05:00, leading to significant delays to the scheduled 08:45 Heysham-bound sailing.

Increasing gales over the Irish Sea have also led to the cancellation of the afternoon's sailings to and from Liverpool and the remaining journeys between Douglas and Heysham.

The Steam Packet said the replacement Ben-My-Chree services between Lancashire and Douglas had been cancelled "due to worsening weather conditions, which compromised the safety of our passengers and crew" and "berth slot time restrictions" at the port.

The ferry firm earlier confirmed the fast craft's scheduled sailing to Liverpool had to be scrapped as the strong winds were "contributing to significant wave heights in excess of safe limits for Manannan".

The Ben-My-Chree has taken over passenger services from the Manxman

Tuesday evening's 19:45 BST departure of the Manxman from Douglas for the journey to Lancashire had been delayed by 45 minutes due to unsettled conditions in the Irish Sea.

A Steam Packet spokesman said the damaged vessel would remain in Heysham and contingency plans were being put in place to minimise disruption across sailings while repairs are made.

They included the back-up vessel being used for passenger services, with the Arrow drafted in for freight transfers, he said.

The relevant authorities have been notified about the incident, including the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch, he added.

The Ben-My-Chree, which had been in Heysham on a freight run on Tuesday night, arrived back in Douglas Harbour at 09:00.

The vessel was due to make the morning sailing back to Lancashire, which was delayed until 11:30.

A yellow warning for gales and coastal overtopping remains in place on the island until 15:00 on Thursday.