As Storm Amy affects the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is looking to resume sailings as soon as it is safe to do so.
In order to recommence operations, the Steam Packet Company is switching Sunday’s morning sailing from Heysham to Liverpool.
Currently, Storm Amy’s winds are exceeding safe harbour limits at Heysham, and the latest forecasts suggest that this might continue well into Sunday, with some let up overnight between Saturday and Sunday.
While Manannan and Ben-my-Chree are sheltering from the storm in Douglas Harbour, Manxman was not able to return from Heysham after the afternoon sailing on Friday, and is currently alongside in the port.
Masters have been closely studying the forecasts and although they expect to be able to leave Heysham in the early hours of Sunday morning as winds abate, there is currently a high risk of not being able to get back into the port around lunchtime on Sunday.
Therefore, as forecasts not expected to improve, the Company will switch to operate to Liverpool. Due to a combination of wind direction and more room for manoeuvre, the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool will not be affected as severely by the current wind conditions.
The Company is liaising with the relevant authorities in order to arrange for limited essential freight to be carried if the sailing does operate to Liverpool, in line with planning restrictions.
Sunday’s Manxman schedule will now look like this:
Isle of Man – Liverpool 05th October 08:00hrs
Liverpool – Isle of Man 05th October 14:00hrs
With wind speeds forecast to reduce over the course of Sunday afternoon it is hoped sailings will return to normal schedules from Sunday, with no impacts expected on Manannan’s 15:00 departure to Liverpool, or its return.
Consideration is being given to the use of Ben-my-Chree in freight-only mode, if required.