We understand that the extension of Manxman's dry dock programme may affect customers' travel plans. To help keep everyone informed, this page below provides the latest updates in one place.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company today provides an update to the travelling public on the progress of repairs to flagship Manxman following the discovery of wear on propulsion shafts and associated components during a routine dry docking in July.
As previously advised, the shafts, liners and bearings were removed from the vessel and transported to MarineShaft A/S, a specialist engineering firm in Denmark, fully equipped to carry out the repairs to the exacting standards required by the Company and its regulators.
Work has now been completed on the components and they are due back to the shipyard at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead shortly, ahead of the complex process of reassembly and recommissioning. Manxman is then expected to undertake sea trials before a targeted return to service from the end of November. Further details on reassembly and recommissioning will be provided in the next update, including the movement of the vessel from its current berth to the drydock.
As well as the completion of work on the shafts, liners and bearings, Manxman’s return to dry dock will see the completion of other work that formed part of the scheduled dry dock.
In July the Company notified Treasury, as its shareholder, that repair costs would exceed £2.5m, the level at which shareholder consent is required. That was a consent notification, not a request for funding nor a precise cost estimate. The current estimate for the total cost of the dry docking and repair works is in the region of £5m. These costs are being met by the Company directly from its own reserves, without recourse to Government funding.
Managing Director Brian Thomson commented, ‘We’re extremely conscious at all times of our position as both a publicly-owned entity and a vital link in the Isle of Man’s infrastructure. Prudent financial planning is a cornerstone of how we manage the business, operating within our means at all times. Therefore, we always ensure there are contingency funds to cover unforeseen eventualities such as this.
‘The Company has commissioned an independent report into the causes of the wear and will be seeking to recover costs through insurance and warranty where appropriate.
‘We look forward to bringing updates on the completion of works and the return to service of our flagship.’
All updates on Manxman’s progress can be found on our dedicated page: https://www.steam-packet.com/manxman-update
