Travel
Dr Allinson: 97.73% of Steam Packet Sailings Have Gone Ahead in Past Year
The Isle of Man Steam Packet’s ‘live aboard’ agreement is being hailed as a game-changer, with Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson claiming it’s helped keep sailings on course and cancellations to a minimum.
Dr Al put it into numbers in Keys today, and said a whopping 97.73% of sailings have gone ahead this year up until the end of November, with 91.2% turning up on time — stats that might surprise anyone who’s ever found themselves sat waiting at the Sea Terminal with a grumpy coffee and a suitcase.
The live aboard deal means crew on Heysham sailings now stay on board the vessel between shifts rather than heading home for a rest.
The Steam Packet says this change has slashed cancellations and even allows the Manxman to shelter at sea during dodgy weather rather than risking damage by trying to make port.
In response to a question from Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse in today’s House of Keys, Dr Allinson explained: ‘This has allowed the Manxman to sail during good weather and stay over at Heysham rather and return later on the 2.15am sailing rather than just cancel.
‘This means cancelled sailings are then reduced from four to two.
‘The live aboard facilities allow crews to change shifts. It also means the vessel can shelter out at sea during poor weather rather than try to make port, preventing potential damage.’
While the Minister couldn’t point to any specific examples of live aboard arrangements saving the day, he assured members that fewer cancellations had been the result.
The whole deal hasn’t been plain sailing (pun intended, obviously).
Back in March, a long-running row over terms and conditions between the Steam Packet and union Nautilus International came to a head after two years of negotiations.
Union members, who’d voted in favour of industrial action, caused disruptions to the island’s sailing schedule at the tail end of 2023.
Things got a bit sticky when the Steam Packet issued notice letters to staff unwilling to accept the new terms.
Thankfully, the company withdrew the letters in January 2024 after Nautilus members hit pause on the industrial action and returned to the negotiating table.
Eventually, cooler heads prevailed, and 75% of union members voted to accept the terms.
Officers got additional leave, a financial bonus, and a “voyage leave” policy in exchange for agreeing to live aboard arrangements.
