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Displaying items by tag: IOMLiverpool

Ferry sailings linking Douglas, Isle of Man and Liverpool have resumed for the first time this year following the easing of the island's border restrictions.

As BBC News writes, limited passenger demand had seen the Ben-my-Chree operate only Heysham services.

The Manannan traditionally starts its Liverpool crossings in March each year.

Almost 600 passengers were due to travel on Thursday, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said.

The majority of those people were due to arrive on the island from Liverpool on the afternoon and evening return crossing.

Changes to the island's border restrictions mean that people from the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 for at least two weeks can travel to the island freely without testing or isolation.

About 31,600 passengers have booked to travel on the Steam Packet vessels during July, 16,955 of which are due to sail on the Manannan

Published in Ferry

A new ferry terminal along with a promenade both multi-million pound projects funded by the Isle of Man government are facing further delays, reports BBC News.

The terminal in Liverpool, which was originally scheduled to be completed in December, is now set to be finished in January 2022.

The development had been held up due to the impact of Covid-19 on the UK construction industry, Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker said.

The Douglas Promenade revamp is also set to be delayed a further two months.

That project, which was due to be completed by 31 March next year, has faced several hold-ups due to the "complexity" of work underneath the carriageway and would now not be completed until "more towards June", Mr Baker said.

The reopening of Broadway, a major junction onto the promenade that had been due to reopen in September, would now take place on Thursday, he said.

The cost of the refurbishment is still set to remain within the £26m currently allocated for the scheme, he added.

More details on the delays by clicking here.

Published in Ferry

About Electric outboard engines

The direct-drive component in electric outboard engines means that the electric motors are incredibly efficient compared to conventional marine combustion motors, operating with considerably higher torque whilst using less power.

Without any need for gears, cooling systems and moving parts the motors are maintenance free, highly efficient and economic to run.

As a result, electric boat engines are becoming more popular on Irish waters as the world transitions from fossil fuels to green energy.

To date, popular electric engine sizes have been trolling engines typically used by fishermen on lakes.

These marine engines are available in models that can be used in fresh water and sea water, for your boat or kayak.

Electric motors are Ideal for fishermen because they are quiet and create little in the way of disturbance 

Popular electric trolling models range from 30lb thrust to 55lb thrust in a range of shaft lengths.

But use is becoming broader now in 2021 and electric outboard engines are being used on small runabouts and RIBS where electric outboard engine sizes are getting bigger.

Outboard electric engines are economical and environmentally friendly. Battery technology is also improving at a rapid rate meaning they are becoming smaller and lighter and run for longer.

Built in hydro-generation provides alternative recharging options whilst under sail are also options meaning the electric outboard now has a home on the stern on small yachts and dayboats too.

As far back as 2014, Torqeedo owner Jack O'Keefe from Cork Harbour told Afloat readers of his sailing adventures in a Drascombe Coaster dinghy and how after swapping from a petrol version the rewards from his new electric outboard engine are less noise, no smells, more stowage, better sailing performance and a motor that can be started by a small child. But it's still not silent, there's a whine he says here 

Popular brands in Ireland are Torqeedo, ePropulsion, Pulsar and Minn Kota but there are more arriving all the time as the technology advances