#ManxScots- Manx catamaran fast-ferry, Manannan entered Cammell Laird, Birkenhead for her annual refit in dry-dock No. 5 in preparation for the 2014 season, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co, the InCAT built 96m craft is scheduled to start sailings on the Liverpool-Douglas route in late March. Asides serving this route, the mainstay of her duties, in peak-season she also serves links between the Manx capital with Belfast and Dublin.
On the same day of her arrival from winter-layup in neighbouring Merseyside, Scottish ferry operator, Serco NorthLink Ferries Hjaltland, vacated dry-dock No.7 resplendent in her new 'Viking-warrior' livery. The new look reflects the rebranding of the company's fleet which started last Spring and following Serco been awarded the Scottish Government contracted 'Northlink' mainland-Shetland/Orkney Islands services. Hjaltland operates from Scotland's oil and gas capital of Aberdeen, where today both the Scottish and UK government cabinets are meeting separately to argue their proposals over the issue of 'independence' and natural resources.
Commenting on the return of Hjatland, Stuart Garrett, M.D of Serco NorthLink Ferries said, "we are confident that the new livery will excite potential tourists about the history and culture of the Northern Isles, with the hope that they will be prompted to experience it for themselves." Mr.Garrett, was until last year the Human Resources Director with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company which was established in 1830, a far cry to the infancy of Serco's Scottish operations.
Serco NorthLink Ferries is inviting budding photographers to e-mail their photography of the new-look Hjaltland. The best image will be decided today and the winner will receive a trip from Lerwick to Aberdeen with a cabin.