Manxman’s Winter Limitations

The Manxman will operate at a lower capacity during the winter.

Her winter limitation is set to a maximum of 750 persons on board.

Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson was grilled on various issued relating to the Steam Packet by Chris Thomas (Douglas Central) in this week’s Keys sitting.

Manxman has a passenger capacity of 948, compared to the Ben-my-Chree’s 500, while she also has 10% more lane room for freight.

Dr Allinson added: ‘The proposed winter restriction is based on having the ability to evacuate all persons using the marine evacuation system from one side of the vessel. This limitation is a result of a hazard identifying workshop during the alternative design and arrangement assessment.

‘However, through dynamic risk assessment, and ultimately the Master’s decision to sail maximum can exceed the self imposed limit provided weather, wind and wave conditions are within acceptable criteria.’

Mr Thomas pointed out that this limit was below the 800 requirement set down in the Sea Services Agreement which governs the relationship between the gov and the Steam Packet and the expectations of the company.

While not responding to this issue, Dr Allinson said that the Steam Packet advised that from October to March in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, the highest number of passengers on any sailing was 539, while fewer than 100 sailings of the over 2000 in this period recorded more than 400 passengers.