Ferry 'season' services by fastcraft to and and from the Isle of Man are delayed due to the continued closure of Manx borders (see info to non-island residents, etc).

The delays announced earlier this month by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, affect the start of fastcraft Manannan’s season.

As the Manx borders remain closed, Manannan will no longer start serving seasonal services on Thursday 25th March.

The ro-pax Ben-my-Chree, however is to continue operating lifeline freight and passenger services between Douglas and Heysham.

Daily Ben-my-Chree services to and from Heysham will continue, with Manannan and freight-ferry Arrow due to cover the Ben-my-Chree’s overhaul period scheduled for mid-April.

All passengers booked on Manannan sailings up until Tuesday 25th May inclusive will be contacted and offered a full refund or a transfer to Heysham services as appropriate. Fast craft sailing schedules will remain under regular review.

The operator's chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Since the start of the pandemic, we have been dedicated to maintaining lifeline links between the Isle of Man and the UK, and have provided excess freight and passenger capacity throughout this period. Manannan is being dry docked in March so that she will be ready to operate as soon as the border re-opens. In the meantime, we will continue to transport essential food and goods to our Island community.’

Sailings beyond 25th May will continue to be monitored and may also be subject to change, depending on Isle of Man Government travel restrictions.

All affected passengers will be given advance notice of schedule changes.