Displaying items by tag: Main Manx ferry

13th February 2023

Work to Repair Main Isle of Man Ferry to Cause Disruption in March

Work to repair the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s main passenger ferry operating the Douglas-Heysham route will see overnight sailings from Lancashire temporarily scrapped next month.

The Steam Packet’s ropax, Ben-my-Chree is to head to the Mersey and enter dry-dock from 23 to 31 March at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead.

According to the ferry firm, work had been brought forward to ensure a "resilient service" ahead of the arrival of the new ferry the Manxman which has been delayed due to a gearbox fault.

While the Ben-My-Chree is off service, the fast-craft ferry, Manannan will operate daytime passenger services on the Douglas-Heysham during the period.

The operator’s relief freight-ferry, MV Arrow will carry out evening services.

As for passengers affected by the disruption, they will be contacted in the coming days, a Steam Packet spokesman said.

Further coverage from the BBC News on the impact to schedules.

Published in Ferry

Tagged under

Main Manx Ferry to Remain Dry-Docked on Merseyside Shipyard for a Further Period

Isle of Man ferry, Ben-my-Chree is expected to remain in dry dock for a further six days following issues discovered during routine annual maintenance (Afloat adds) at Cammell Laird. A shipyard and repairer facility as above is based in Birkenhead on Merseyside.

The main Isle of Man ferry, the ro-pax Ben-my-Chree is expected to be in shipyard dry dock for a further six days following issues discovered during a routine annual maintenance.

Operator, Isle of Man Steam Packet says worn bearings on the vessel need replacing.

According to Manx Radio, it means the 'Ben' will now return to service on Thursday, 13 May, in time for the morning 8:45am sailing to Heysham.

Until then, the fastcraft Manannan will continue the daytime sailing service to the Lancashire port, whilst the MV Arrow will be in charge of bringing freight across.

Meanwhile, (today's) Monday's daytime sailings to Heysham are subject to possible disruption or cancellation.

Published in Shipyards

Tagged under

Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.