29 January 2010

Good afternoon

It’s been a little while since I last updated my blog. My apologies but there has been much happening to tell you about.

It is our real desire to improve the level of service we give to our passengers. It is also beneficial to make clear what it is possible for us to deliver consistently. As a result we have developed a Passenger Charter. This will be launched shortly after our staff  have been fully briefed on its content and how we expect it to be delivered. Expect to see more on the Passenger Charter soon.

The UK authorities have now tightened air and sea security requirements following the recent airline terrorism incident in the USA. Typically airline travellers tend to get the most obvious security checks. However, those travelling with us may have noted a higher proportion of passengers being searched. It is expected that this higher threat level may be maintained for some time. I hope you as our passengers will understand the need to comply with these regulations and be as patient as possible if you are stopped for security reasons.

We are often concerned with the wind strength here at the Steam Packet. Too strong a wind makes sailings less comfortable and can even lead to service disruptions. However, too little wind can also generate its own problems. When the wind strength is low and conditions are wrong we can end up with dense and lingering fog. Dense fog is usually more of a concern when driving or for airports but it can sometimes also affect ports.

Last Friday night our Ben-my-Chree sailing to Heysham was not permitted to enter the harbour as the Port of Heysham was temporarily obliged to close to traffic. Unfortunately, weather forecasts had not predicted such a situation and the Ben-my-Chree after waiting outside Heysham until 1.30am for an improvement in conditions had no option but to return to Douglas.

Passengers on board were understandably frustrated but our staff made every effort to keep them comfortable and helped them make alternative travel arrangements. Fortunately, conditions while still foggy allowed a return sailing the next morning and we were able to get people to where they needed to be.

It was however heartening to receive positive feedback including a response from one passenger on board who wrote

“I was on the sailing on Friday night 22nd January, IoM to Heysham which had to turn back to Douglas when the Port of Heysham was closed because of fog. I just wanted to say how professional and impressive the staff on the Ben My Chree were. We were given very regular updates about the situation, and the guy who I think was the Navigation Officer was brilliant. At the end of the day you can do nothing about the weather, and whilst it was probably an inconvenience for some, it couldn’t be avoided, and IoMSPCo did everything they could to make amends by offering free refreshments, and even a cooked breakfast to those that wanted it. Overall the situation was handled brilliantly and I was really impressed with what was probably a difficult time for the crew. Also, changing my sailing was not a problem, not like with some transport operators who are rubbish at handling delays and informing their passengers when they experience problems”.

These comments echo others that are similar. I hope that your next experience when travelling with us will be similarly positive!

That’s all for now

Mark

8 January 2010

Good Morning and a Happy New Year to you all,

The weather has continued to cause delays for most forms of transport but I am pleased that any delays relating to our shipping services to the Island have been entirely for the right reasons. On several occasions early in the New Year we made the decision to delay the morning departure of the Ben-my-Chree. This was to allow those people booked additional time to get to the boat, recognising the impact that the weather has had on driving conditions on Island.

This is a busy time of year as ships are overhauled ready for the peak spring and summer service. Snaefell is the designated stand-by vessel on minimum notice to return to operational service at present while Manannan is in undergoing annual overhaul. When overhaul work is completed, Manannan will enter service to cover for the Ben-my-Chree when it goes in for its bi-ennial overhaul work. A freight ship has also been chartered to ensure there are no disruptions to the supply of goods to the Island’s shops and businesses. Snaefell will be overhauled when the Ben returns to service and will enter service herself after Easter.

The Ben-my-Chree is 12 years old this year. A major mid-life dry-docking (she has now completed around 60,000 running hours - or just short of 7 years continuous running!) is planned.  This work is scheduled for the period 6th to 25th March.

I have just been glancing through a final version of our “Explore the Isle of Man 2010” brochure which will be distributed shortly. I think it does a good job of advertising not just our services, but just as importantly the merits of the Isle of Man as a holiday destination. We at the Steam Packet are very aware of the role we must play in bringing visitors to the Island and this has been reflected throughout the brochures we will be introducing in 2010. It is also of course clearly recognised in the significant marketing spend we are committed to each year under the User Agreement

We will also be launching some additional ‘extra’ special offers for 2010 which I hope will be widely welcomed by residents and visitors alike. As well as the ‘TT Taster’ announced late last year we are also targeting those areas where we recognise that lower fares would help. For example, our ‘Children Go Free Summer Special’ is specifically aimed at making travel easier for families during the school summer holidays. Details will be widely publicised and will also be contained within our ‘Steam Packet Times’ publication which will be distributed to all households shortly via the Isle of Man Courier.

I hope many of you will take the time to read our new look ‘Steam Packet Times’.

That’s it for now

Mark

24 December 2009

Good Morning

The severe weather in the UK has reminded us all of the overwhelmingly ‘just in time’ nature that is prevalent in the retail sector here on the Isle of Man. Because of our highly reliable freight service very few local businesses keep large stocks of goods preferring instead to order them shortly before needed.  However when extreme winter conditions such as those experienced in Heysham recently take hold it can mean that stocks at local shops become depleted very quickly.

We at the Steam Packet are acutely aware of the role we play in ensuring that goods are available in Island shops. We did everything possible to minimise the recent problems caused as a result of the decision by Heysham Port Health and Safety representative not to allow working in the port that morning. Other operators using the port were of course also affected. That has not stopped us making strong representations that the Port must be prepared in future for such occasions.

Christmas is here and I hope you have all made any preparations necessary. It has been a difficult year for all on the Island and the Steam Packet is no different.  Whatever your views may be we remain committed to providing the best quality and value service we can. We are quite clear that the Island has a premium passenger service. Comparisons with services at the beginning of the last decade illustrate this point well.

But we are not content to rest on our laurels. We will continue to do all we can to maintain and where possible improve standards further. Look out in the New Year for ways in which we hope to achieve this as well as a range of additional offers to help make the Island a more attractive place for visitors as well as for residents.

On behalf of all our employees I wish you and yours health and happiness for Christmas and the New Year.

Mark

04 December 2009

Good morning

Yesterday various ceremonies were held to mark the 100th anniversary of the loss of the Steam Packet vessel Ellan Vannin on 3rd December 1909. As well as laying wreaths on the Mersey and in Ramsey, a service of remembrance is also to be held in Douglas this coming weekend. The Steam Packet has been and will be represented at each of these.  It is a terribly sad event in the history of the company and of the Island but one which it is entirely proper to remember.

It seems that the cessation of the early booking scheme for the Manx Grand Prix has caused some negative comment. It may interest readers to learn that only 3% of MGP passengers last year used the advanced booking facility. As a matter of fact, it is standard practice throughout the airline and ferry industry for passengers to pay with credit or debit cards at the time of booking and bookings for MGP are treated in the same way as bookings during the rest of the year.

Most passengers choose to book and pay only a few months before they travel but passengers who book early always get the best choice of special offer fares where available on quieter sailings. Passengers who provisionally book and then cancel do not help the tourism sector and in some instances can prevent other passengers from booking and deprive hoteliers of income.

Given recent events, this Company recognises the need for us all to pull together to ensure that we attract as many visitors as possible to our Island so that local businesses are supported and local VAT paid. It is a shame that some local media does not take a similarly responsible attitude to its reporting in order to present the best possible image of the Island to attract these visitors. That is just as important as any ‘Shop Local’ campaign if we are to make the Island attractive as a place to visit and ensure that money is spent here.

The Steam Packet is regularly criticised for what it has apparently failed to do to assist in attracting visitors. Perhaps we are not very good at blowing our own trumpet but the reality is that without the work and sponsorship that goes on behind the scenes many events we take for granted would not happen.

For many years we have had an association with the Southern 100 Motorcycle Club and the Manx Grand Prix organisers. While we are no longer an official race sponsor for the MGP and the TT, we are still the main commercial sponsor for the Southern 100 races in July.

What race fans and others may be unaware of is that for some time we have provided support in a number of other ways that all add up to a significant investment.

In addition to the extra sailings we provide to bring the many visitors to the TT and MGP, other forms of support include discounted travel for competitors in the Pre TT Classic, the Southern 100 and the MGP. We also provide assistance to fundraising events in aid of the Joey Dunlop Foundation and the Rob Vine Fund (in addition to the collections that take place on the vessels).

In 2008 we introduced a scheme whereby marshals who travel by ferry to cover both the TT and the MGP qualified for a discount off their MGP travel costs. We also support the TT Marshals Association through discounted travel rates whenever they travel to the UK for training or recruitment events. This year we have introduced the ‘TT Taster’ offer with up to 50% off standard fares. We believe it will provide a real boost to the Island visitor numbers - It’s a shame that such an innovative and positive offer was barely reported by our local media. Instead it attracted a sentence or two at the bottom of a largely negative article with a totally misleading headline.....

More unusual support was provided earlier this year in the form of assistance towards the transportation of around 800 square straw bales to the Island for the Billown circuit on a 19 metre road train. The bales will be used for the Pre TT Classic, the TT races and the Southern 100. This type of straw bale was not available on the Island and without them racing on the Billown circuit could not take place.

But it doesn’t stop at motorcycle racing. For the last three years, the Honda Powerboat circuit has come to the Isle of Man. This has been made possible partly due to a substantial level of support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company in the form of subsidised transport for competitors and organisers. This support is a major contributory factor in being able to stage the Isle of Man round of the series.

For a number of years we have supported Rally Isle of Man through assisted travel for competitors, which has helped the event to grow. This year we are providing additional support in the form of subsidised transport for the bulk tanker required for the controlled rally fuel.

We also receive several hundred requests for assistance or sponsorship each year. Requests for sponsorship may include things such as Ad-hoc requests for monetary sponsorship, requests to subsidise the freight transport cost of items such as fire engines, theatre productions and so on, discounted travel requests from groups, clubs and individuals and prize travel vouchers for charity, school, club and corporate fund raising initiatives.

Add it all up and it is very clear that the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is still at the heart of the Island’s motorsport, special and other community events.

Perhaps our critics would like to consider this before they next put pen to paper?

That’s all for now.

Mark

20 November 2009

Good morning

It’s only a few weeks now until the 100th anniversary of the loss of Ellan Vannin. There will be various services of commemoration held both on and off Island to mark the event. I thought it would be appropriate to take this opportunity to remember the tragedy.

The Ellan Vannin was originally an iron paddle steamer built in Glasgow and named ‘Mona’s Isle II’. She began service with the company in June 1860, but in 1882 she was converted to a twin screw steamer in Barrow in Furness. Renamed Ellan Vannin in 1883 the vessel was mocked by some, but Manx sailors regarded her as the safest vessel afloat, and fondly referred to her as ‘Li’l Daisy’.

After many years of service, she was to set out on what sadly became her last journey. A little after 1.00am on the 3rd December, 1909, the Ellan Vannin set sail from Ramsey on her regular journey to Liverpool with an assorted cargo, including oats, turnips, potatoes, a large consignment of sheep, a sideboard and a piano! Also on board were fourteen passengers and twenty one crew members. The typical journey time in those days was  seven to eight hours, slow by modern standards.

Although stormy conditions were forecast, this was not unusual and certainly no different to many other crossings made safely over the years. Captain Teare was also regarded as being one of the most cautious of the company’s masters.

However, the weather deteriorated rapidly and severe gale force winds buffeted the tiny vessel as she made her way to England. In fact there were many other shipping incidents that night as the strengthening winds took a greater hold, even causing damage on land and widespread flooding. By 6.00am it was said that waves in the River Mersey were twenty four feet high. The severity of the weather increased as the Ellan Vannin reached the Bar Lightship, manned by Seaman Williams and Master Kewley. But no one reported seeing the ship as she sailed by. At approximately 6.45am Seaman Williams described seeing a green coloured flash, but with no further visible signs of distress Master Kewley decided not to summon the lifeboat.

Later that day a clock belonging to the Ellan Vannin was discovered in the vicinity of the flash stopped at 6.50am.

At 9.45am a telegraph was sent from Liverpool it read:
“Did Vannin sail one am this morning?”

At 11.53 a further telegraph was sent:
“Now 11.45 no sign Vannin strong gale blowing”

Later that day a final telegraph was sent – it read simply:
“Greatly grieved at sad news feel deep sympathy for bereaved families Bishop”

These telegraphs hang today in Imperial Buildings. It is a sad reminder of a dreadful period in our long history.

We have never used the name Ellan Vannin on any of our vessels since.

Mark

27 October 2009

Good afternoon

There is much happening here in Imperial Buildings as we prepare for the year ahead. The investigation by the OFT into our pricing has meant that we have had to devote much time and effort to gathering and preparing the vast amount of data that has been requested. This comes at the busiest time of the year for us and has had inevitable consequences with regard to our normal planning processes. As a consequence of the timing of the OFT work, we will not be able to complete the work necessary to allow early bookings in our system for 2010 until much later than is usually the case. I would ask that your bear with us. We will endeavour to get these systems ready as soon as possible, and aim to have all 2010 sailings bookable by our passengers in the next month or so.

It has been a difficult year for all of us here on the Island, with no question that things have been slowing down. The recent announcements regarding VAT sharing and tax changes are likely to further affect the way we all do business. The level of freight carried in 2009 to date is down considerably on that experienced only a few years ago. As many are aware, freight traffic is crucial to provide the subsidy needed to operate both the frequency and capacity of loss making passenger services on a year round basis. The loss of freight traffic then is of crucial importance to the way in which we are able to provide a full range of other services.

Passenger traffic though has held up reasonably well compared to last year. In no small part I think this is due to the introduction of Manannan into service. It’s interesting to note that airport numbers are down over 100,000 passengers over the past twelve months while sea carryings are only down a little. This is of course due in part to the recession; the impact of which in the case of the Steam Packet I believe has been limited because of the competitiveness of sea fares.

As we head toward the end of half term, so our winter schedule will begin with our fast craft services ceasing in early November. They will begin again next spring. In the meantime the Ben-my-Chree will begin her winter weekend service to Liverpool Birkenhead. Our forward bookings show that this service remains very popular, with passengers valuing the higher level of travel certainty that the Ben-my-Chree is able to provide.

Until next time.

Mark

30 September 2009

Hello

September is almost over and with it we move firmly into the Autumn period, a quieter time generally both for the Island and for Steam Packet Company passenger carryings. It’s a time too to reflect on the busy summer and see what lessons can be learned – what we did well and not so well.

Behind the scenes things are far from quiet however. We are entering the busiest period of the year as our teams ashore review and plan for the year ahead. Construction of timetables and sailing schedules, checking berthing slots with port operators, building databases for Reservations booking engines and publishing brochures are all necessary so that the ‘shop window’ is ready and passengers are able to book for the whole of the year ahead.

I know Christmas is a long way off but it is worth mentioning that this year we are pleased to be able to offer some Christmas Shopping opportunities during October and November.  Taking your car means there are no luggage charges or restrictions – if it fits in your car you can bring it home! These short breaks are very good value trips away to help those who wish to get their shopping done early. For example:

Manchester (Trafford Centre or city centre shopping) from £159 for two people, a car, one night accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, and return ferry travel.  Similarly on the same basis, we have Liverpool (Liverpool One or city centre shopping) from £169.

These are bookable though Steam Packet Holidays who can be reached on 01624 645777. We expect these to prove very popular so please book early!

As the gift season approaches it is worth noting too that we have now introduced online gift vouchers. These may be purchased from £5 upwards and are always appreciated by friends, colleagues, students and of course family.

Fast craft services will cease for the winter in a few weeks time. After this the Ben-my-Chree will take up her now familiar schedule of winter weekend daytime sailings to and from Liverpool Birkenhead, with mid week and overnight sailings as usual to and from Heysham. I came across a copy of our 1996 brochure recently – back in those days we offered only one return sailing at the weekend (on a Saturday), whereas now we offer four weekend return sailings, two on both Saturday and Sunday. That’s progress!

Manannan has been very well received by travelling passengers during her first season and during the winter months we aim to make some further improvements to address some of those issues that will further enhance the experience for our passengers. Manannan’s conversion and upgrade project has earned a nomination for Burgess Marine, the main contractor, for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. This is a prestigious award, and nomination reflects well on both the companies involved as well as the Island.

The Ben-my-Chree is 12 years old next year and is also due her bi-ennial dry-docking. She will be out of service for approximately three weeks in March 2010. Manannan will cover passenger sailings during this period. A freighter has been chartered to provide cover for our haulage customers. Because of the general recession and wider economic woes, freight ships are generally less busy than in many a previous year. This has meant that we have been able to agree a charter well in advance. This provides certainty and will allow us to plan and our passengers to make bookings sure in the knowledge that late schedule changes due to lack of suitable charter ships will not be an issue.

Last week we were very pleased to welcome aboard the Rotary Club of Douglas to have a tour round Manannan. It was a beneficial experience both for the Steam Packet but also for Rotary members. It is important that we are able to take soundings and feedback both from passengers as well as other businesses. I hope that any other organisations out there that feel a similar learning exercise on one of our ships would be useful will make contact with us direct.

That’s all for now.

Mark

07 September 2009

Good morning

I hope all of those who managed to get away have had an enjoyable summer break. I hope too that the weather has been more reliable than summer on the Isle of Man has proven to be. Many people are of course still away as schools don’t start until later this week. Here on the Island our roads have once again become quiet after a spell as a race track while the Manx Grand Prix practices and racing took place. It is a shame that the weather has been so poor, and that many of our visitors staying under canvas have had to endure heavy rain.

This year it seems that the numbers attending the Manx Grand Prix are down on previous years, both in terms of numbers of visitors and motorbikes. I have no doubt that the fact that the UK is in the teeth of the worst recession for decades is a significant factor.

In general it has been a busy summer for all here at the Steam Packet.  We have scheduled a number of round the Island sailings. The latest of these on the Ben-my-Chree proved to be a great event for all on board with many passengers letting us know how much they enjoyed the sailing, food and service provided by the crew. Of course the scenery was not to be forgotten too!

The ‘End to End’ cycling event this year has attracted more than 750 off Island participants, and it is expected that there will be another 250 or so local entrants. The course runs from the Point of Ayre to Cregneash, a distance of 46 miles. The course includes stunning views, country lanes and forest tracks. It should make for an interesting spectacle.

As we approach the end of the peak summer period, our cheaper autumn fares begin: Starting from 15th September, a midweek 3 day return for Car plus 2 passengers costs from £112 return, a 5 day return from only £152 return. These represent excellent value for money and I hope will be welcomed by our passengers.

That’s it for now.

Mark

06 August 2009

Good morning

This will be my last blog for a while as I will be away on leave with my family. However, there will be someone ‘guest’ blogging in my stead while I am away.

The end of next week sees the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 arrive in Belfast – their final port of call. The Belfast Maritime Festival, which runs from Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th August, promises to be a magnificent spectacle, and is one of many reasons to consider taking a short break in Belfast and the surrounding area. Our sailing schedule is ideally suited to this event. You have the option to make your own arrangements with a ferry only booking, or sit back and let us put together a packaged arrangement through Steam Packet Holidays who can be contacted on 01624 645777.

The ‘Round the Island’ trip by Manannan on Wednesday last week was once again a very successful event which quickly sold out. An enjoyable time was had by all, and one of our passengers summed it up perfectly: ‘I would like to say a big thank you to Captain Pirrie and his crew for a super cruise around the Island last Wednesday evening. The scenery was great and so nice to see from a different side. We all thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the staff were superb. Well done to all and thank you!’

The Ben-my-Chree completed her 15,000th crossing last week. She has been a fantastic servant for the Company and has operated with a reliability factor in excess of 99%. Many will recall the controversy surrounding the introduction of the Ben, and I am pleased that those who were so quick to criticise at the time, many of whom had not even been on board, have been proven quite wrong.

I mentioned in an earlier blog that Viking has been chartered to a company in the Azores, replicating what the Lady of Mann has done for many summers in previous years. Last weekend she arrived in the Azores ready to commence her summer service there. Before leaving for the Azores the charterers have made various modifications including the ability for Viking to operate as a side loader. She is due to remain there until late autumn when a decision will be made as to her future. In any event she is due to be returned to owners in September next year, and of course is surplus to Steam Packet requirements now that Manannan has been introduced.

Looking forward we are now working toward the Manx Grand Prix, which like the TT is later than usual this year. We have launched a medic discount scheme similar to that we have already introduced for marshals who travel to serve at both the TT and MGP. Volunteer visitor paramedics are a vital supplement to local paramedics during both the TT and MGP, but in previous years visitor paramedics have received no financial assistance towards travel costs. We hope that this concession by the Company will help to encourage support for both events on an ongoing basis.

That’s all for now, enjoy the holidays.

Mark