#Obstruction - Normal sailings by the Isle of Man Steam Packet have resumed reports Manx Radio. 

Heysham Authorities have confirmed that the obstruction at the entrance to the port has been cleared.

A piece of timber had become embedded in the seabed there during the recent storms, which meant vessels among them the Steam Packet's ropax Ben-My-Chree could only get in and out of the harbour during high tides.

This led to major disruptions for the Steam Packet scheduled sailings, however normal operations are in effect with this morning's 8.45 departure from Douglas to Heysham.

#SEATRUCK NEWBUILD - With the announcement of Seatruck Ferries new Belfast-Heysham route to open in May, the company have in the meantime introduced a newbuild this week on the Dublin-Heysham route, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Seatruck Performance brings additional capacity to the route to Lancashire and becomes the third newbuild to enter the Irish Sea where her sisters are operating Dublin-Liverpool sailings.

She has a length of 142 m, breadth of 25 m and a capacity of 151 units, which is 35 more than the earlier 'P' Class ships which have shifted elsewhere on the Seatruck network.

The final fourth vessel Seatruck Precision as previously reported is currently under construction at the FGS Flensburg yard in Germany and is expected to make her debut on the Irish Sea in June.