For the first time, the flagship of the Isle of Man Steam Packet, Manxman, which entered service almost a year ago, completed its Round the Island Cruise with a marine wildlife organisation also on board, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Among the cruise-goers on Saturday evening were the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch (MWDW), which invited anyone interested to join them as they looked out for whales, dolphins, porpoises (cetaceans) and basking sharks.
The four-hour ferry cruise saw Manxman, which otherwise routinely operates to Heysham, departed Douglas Harbour, to view the coastline of the Isle of Man along with its marine wildlife. This involved observers been afforded the brilliant viewing spot right at the bow and from inside the comfort of the forward lounge area.
According to Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch, no cetaceans were spotted; however, some passengers located at the side of the flagship did see what the we think were Risso's dolphins breaching that took place near the Chicken Rock lighthouse. The 19th century built 44 m high tower lighthouse is operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board which is responsible for the waters surrounding Scotland and the Isle of Man.
The location of the light is on Chicken Rock, an isolated island that lies off the Calf of Man, off Spanish Head on the south-west of the Manx mainland. Further along the coast is Peel, the town harbour located on the west coast, where the organisation is based.
The highlight for the MWDW was what seemed like hundreds of Manx Shearwaters as the flagship approached the Calf of Man, fresh on the wing and ready for their nocturnal foraging at sea. A follow-up from the on board observation along with a blog post is due to take place this week, however, in the meantime, the organisation has shared some images of the voyage here.
Since 2006, the MWDW has been at the forefront of marine mammal science on the Isle of Man and works year round to ensure the safeguarding of cetaceans through non-invasive research and public engagement.
