Five hurt as Isle of Man ferry crashes into pier

The company is assessing the damage to the Manannan catamaran after it collided with Victoria Pier on arrival in Douglas

Five passengers were injured when a catamaran ferry crashed into the pier at Douglas in the Isle of Man.

The Manannan vessel hit Victoria Pier at about 22:40 GMT on Wednesday, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said.

The injured passengers were taken to hospital, said the company, adding early indications suggested a "systems control failure" led to the crash.

Sailings between Douglas and Liverpool are disrupted.

Easter cancellations

After leaving Liverpool at 19:05 on Wednesday, the Manannan catamaran sailed to Douglas and on arrival hit the pier while attempting to dock.

The Steam Packet Company said it is likely that over the peak Easter days they "will not be able to accommodate all passengers"

Mark Woodward, chief executive of the Steam Packet Company, said the cause of the "systems control failure... is unclear."

"At this stage, it is looking likely that over the peak Easter days we will not be able to accommodate all passengers.

"MV Arrow will be arriving tomorrow, allowing us to dedicate Ben-my-Chree to passengers."

The 15:00 and 19:15 sailings to and from Liverpool are cancelled.

Mr Woodward said five passengers were initially treated on board the vessel for "what are believed to be minor injuries" but ambulances were called as a precaution.

"We apologise for any disruption caused to passengers... safety is absolutely paramount to the Steam Packet Company," he said.

The disruption will affect people travelling to the Isle of Man for the Easter Festival of Running, which starts on Good Friday.

Sea debris caused more than £100,000 damage to the Manannan ferry last year, putting the vessel out of action over the Easter period.

Manannan sailings between Douglas and Liverpool were suspended for Thursday morning