The return to service of Snaefell for Monday’s 7.30am sailing to Liverpool will see the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s re-branded fleet back at full strength.
With her new livery and new name – she was formerly Sea Express 1 – Snaefell completes the Company’s major re-branding exercise that has seen all three vessels refurbished, with SuperSeaCat Two renamed Viking.
The new livery reflects the Company’s restyled retro logo, with Isle of Man restored to the name and traditional designs and colours used to complete the new look. New staff uniforms have been introduced in classic black, with retro design accessories.
Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: “We launched the revamped design earlier this year, but this is the first time since then that we’ll have had all three vessels in service together. To look down from Douglas Head and see the three of them lined up together, preparing to sail in their new livery, is a fantastic sight.
“We feel the new logo design and livery is a return to the Company’s Manx roots and this was a major factor in the final decision. It is vital that the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, as the Island’s number one tourist carrier, projects a positive image for the Island.”
The Company isn’t stopping with a new look. There has been an increased focus on service to passengers, with a new Passenger Manager, Jim Sheppard, responsible for delivering service quality and consistency, and new Terminal Manager Wayne Lisy now in charge of all Douglas Terminal operations, which embraces Isle of Man Steam Packet Holidays, the Ferry Travel Shop front desk and Call Centre Reservations.
The Company has also revised the former ‘1st’ and ‘Blue Riband’ services. ‘1st’ has been renamed the ‘Manannan Premium Lounge’ and Blue Riband the ‘Manannan Executive Club’. Each ship also has a new ‘Niarbyl Lounge’, which offers the opportunity to pre-book reserved seats, and all lounges have been decorated with the new branding and corporate colours.
Snaefell is the sixth ship to bear the name in the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s 178-year history, whilst Viking is the second to share the name, although there was the Manx Viking, which entered service in 1976. The original Viking was the Company’s first turbine steamer when it was launched in 1905. Snaefell (V), which entered service in 1948, was also a turbine steamer.
(picture)
