The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company flagship Ben My Chree launched in 1998 will notch up a unique Company passenger vessel record in 2006 when it completes its 10,000th journey and 590,000 miles crossing from Heysham to the Island on its 02.15 hrs crossing on Saturday 21st January.

Ben My Chree was purpose built for the Isle of Man market which has seen dramatic increases in carryings by sea since 1996. She operates on the twice-daily, year round IOM/Heysham route carrying a mix of passengers, cars, coaches together with freight of all sizes and types vital for an Island community.

Hamish Ross, Steam Packet Managing Director said, ‘We are rightly proud of the superb service record achieved by this vessel which must be regarded as probably the most reliable ever owned by this Company throughout its 175 year old history.

Ben My Chree is in a class of her own and has without doubt played a major part in our Company’s success in recent years. She is a fine and popular vessel’.

Every passenger who travelled on the special sailing was given an upgrade and a celebratory drink courtesy of The Steam Packet.

Such a mileage equates to 24 circumnavigation’s of the world, 28 return trips to Australia one and a half return journey’s to the moon and 16,000 times around the Island’s famous TT course.

The vessel arrived in the Island on Tynwald Day, the Island’s national day in July 1998 following its launch at Rotterdam in April that year.