Updated: Steam Packet says Liverpool Ramp Wasn’t Damaged

Update:

Since this article was originally posted, Dr Haywood has updated her post to say: ‘The Steam Packet have been in touch to say the work on the link span is due to the low tides this week. It was shore crew that told me it was storm damage last night and I had no reason not to believe them, but I’m happy to clarify and update this post.’

We are happy to correct the record.

——–

The Steam Packet’s Liverpool landing stage appears to have been another victim of the recent bad weather.

Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood shared updates from the soon-to-close landing stage from last night’s delayed sailing.

Dr Haywood, who is part of a select committee looking into the Steam Packet, said that due to the damage, the main link span was out of action.

She said: ‘Passengers are having to check in at one of the vehicle booths, and then walk or take the minibus down the ‘exit’ link span to get to the terminal. There is limited space for cars to wait on the pontoon and the rest of the cars are up by the check-in booths and facing the ‘wrong’ way as we will be heading down the ‘exit’ ramp too.’

Dr Haywood also criticised the company for its communications with passengers, saying they had not been informed of a further delay beyond its expected 8,45pm sailing time until passengers took it upon themselves to ask shore crew.

She said: ‘I had a text update about the original delay to the sailing, but still nothing about ongoing delays. It’s now an hour after the revised sailing time and we haven’t loaded yet. I’m not expecting miracles just some courtesy from a business that I have paid for a service. That is not unreasonable.’

The Manannan eventually left Liverpool at 10.12pm and (at the time of writing on Wednesday night) was due to arrive in Douglas just after 1am.