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Displaying items by tag: Newbuild: Manxman

Douglas Harbour is to undergo major works that are needed to protect the new Isle of Man Steam Packet ferry, the infrastructure minister has said.

Chris Thomas said the project would reduce the risk of damage to the Manxman and the harbour in high winds.

The plans would see repairs to the walls of King Edward VIII Pier and fenders and mooring bollards replaced.

The proposed works are scheduled to start in later summer next year and be completed ahead of the winter.

Construction works, which would take place around scheduled ferry sailings, would make sure the new larger vessel was "well-protected heading into the winter months", Mr Thomas said.

Under construction in South Korea, the Manxman will be 26ft (8m) longer than Ben-my-Chree and is due to come into service in spring.

More details writes BBC News on the new installations required to berth the newbuild.

Published in Isle of Man

About Match Racing

A match race is a race between two competitors, going head-to-head.

In yacht racing, it is differentiated from a fleet race, which almost always involves three or more competitors competing against each other, and team racing where teams consisting of 2, 3 or 4 boats compete together in a team race, with their results being combined.

A match race consists of two identical boats racing against each other. With effective boat handling and clever use of wind and currents, a trailing boat can escape the grasp of the leader and pass. The leader uses blocking techniques to hold the other boat back. This one-on-one duel is a game of strategy and tactics.

About the World Match Racing Tour

Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes the sport of match racing around the world and is the longest running global professional series in the sport of sailing. The WMRT is awarded ‘Special Event’ status by the sport’s world governing body – World Sailing – and the winner of the WMRT each year is crowned World Sailing Match Racing World Champion. Previous champions include Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (USA), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Pace (FRA), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL) and Ian Williams (GBR). Since 2000, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have awarded over USD23million in prize money to sailors which has helped to contribute to the career pathway of many of today’s professional sailors