Isle of Man ferry passengers warned of possible further disruption

A shallow area of Douglas Harbour caused by silting could impact ferry sailings

Ferry passengers could face further disruption next week due to a build up of silt in Douglas Harbour, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has said.

The issue has been identified after soundings in the area of the linkspan at King Edward VIII Pier.

A spokesman for the ferry firm said that was likely to affect sailing times next week, which "coincide with some low tides".

It comes after the company apologised for the recent "upheaval" to crossings.

Managing director Brian Thomson said staff were "sorry that the service has fallen below what we aim for" after trips to Lancashire on Wednesday night and Thursday morning were affected by a freight backlog, strong winds and silting at Heysham Port.

Back-up cargo vessel the MV Arrow has been drafted in to address the freight backlog that has built up as a result the delays and cancelled sailings.

The Manxman had been departing from the Queen Victoria linkspan while mooring facilities on King Edward VIII Pier were being upgraded last week.

A Steam Packet spokesman said a "shallow patch" of Douglas Harbour has now been recorded near the King Edward linkspan due to a build up of silt.

That will have a "knock-on effect on arrival and departure times" which coincide low tides and will affect efforts to berth vessels, he said.

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