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Displaying items by tag: Safety Examination

Manannan the fast-ferry catamaran of the Isle of Man Steam Packet, called to Dublin Port for the first time this year, but firstly to undergo an examination of the 96m craft prior to entering service, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 43-knot fast-ferry built in 1998 by InCAT of Hobart, Tasmania and acquired by the IOMSP in 2009, Afloat had tracked to Dublin Port having on Monday made a morning passage from Douglas Harbour.

The arrival of 865 passenger/200 vehicle Mananan did not involve berthing at Dublin Port's busy main Ferry Terminal No. 1 but upriver to Alexandra Basin and alongside Ocean Pier.

Manannan was boarded by officials of the Irish Maritime Administration (part of the Dept of Transport) to enable an inspection of the craft.

Among the roles of the IMA (equivalent of the UK's Maritime & Coastguard Agency) is to facilitate international safety levels and by enhancing infrastructure needed to secure employment in the shipping, fishing and leisure sectors.

Commenting to Afloat, a spokesperson of the IOM Steam-Packet said the reason for the call by Manannan was to asses the fitness of the fast-ferry to operate to and from Ireland. The examination by the IMA of the Manx-flagged fast-ferry, added the ferry spokesperson had passed with flying colours.

Yesterday, Manannan marked the resumption of the Steam-Packet's core summer route, Douglas-Liverpool by running the 2hr 45 minute crossing. This it to be followed with further connections between the Manx capital and Belfast Harbour (3hrs) on 13 April and calls to Dublin (2hrs 55mins) the next day on 14 April.

Facilities of the fastferry include standard seating areas, two cinema lounges, a large bar area at the stern and a cafe, a shop in addition to reserved and premium lounges.

Previously to this week's call to Dublin Port, Afloat had also tracked Manannan arrive in Douglas Harbour on 26 March having completed a routine annual dry-docking. This year the overhaul took place at A&P Falmouth, Cornwall.

The sailing back from the south-west of England to the Isle of Man involved a passage time taking almost 10 hours.

Published in Ferry

About the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority was established on the 1st of January 2007. The SFPA is independent in the exercise of its functions, which are below.

The principal functions of the Authority are:

  1. To secure efficient and effective enforcement of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
  2. To promote compliance with & deter contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
  3. To detect contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
  4. To provide information to the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors on sea-fisheries law and food safety law and relevant matters within the remit of the Authority, through the Consultative Committee established under section 48 of the above Act or by any other means it considers appropriate
  5. To advise the Minister in relation to policy on effective implementation of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
  6. To provide assistance and information to the Minister in relation to the remit of the Authority
  7. To collect and report data in relation to sea fisheries and food safety as required by the Minister and under Community law
  8. To represent or assist in the representation of the State at national, Community and international fora as requested by the Minister, and
  9. To engage in any other activities relating to the functions of the Authority as may be approved of by the Minister.