Divers Carry Out Manxman Inspection Amid Sailing Delay

Specialist divers are carrying out an inspection on the Manxman.

It comes after the vessel ran aground at low tide earlier this evening.

The Steam Packet’s flagship was en route from Liverpool to the Isle of Man when it struggled to dock as it reached Douglas harbour around 6pm.

One passenger on board the stricken vessel told Gef that passengers were informed that the bow of the ship was stuck.

They said at the time: ‘The Manxman has just run aground in Douglas Harbour. It’s waiting for tide to come in to dock!

‘Low water is at 6.40pm and we ran around just after 6pm, so I assume 40 mins after low water before we float again.’

On its website, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company confirmed that the Manxman’s arrival had been delayed.

It later issued an update online, saying: ‘Due to the delayed arrival of the previous sailing caused by tidal restrictions, [the scheduled Douglas to Heysham sailing on Saturday evening] will run with a delay.

‘Divers will now undergo a mandatory inspection, and an update will follow once complete.’

The vessel was set to depart the island at around 7.15pm.