Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: IOMSteam Packet

Officers employed by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, will according to a union, refuse to work overtime from 27 December in a dispute over changes to contracts.

In a ballot of union members from Nautilus International, who make up 48 of the ferry firm’s 70 officers, it had showed 89% had supported in taking industrial action.

At the centre of the ongoing dispute is the live-aboard arrangements for the crew working on the new custom-built £76m flagship Manxman during rest periods.

The newbuild with a capacity for 948 passengers had entered service in August on the main Douglas-Heysham route. 

This week the ferry company also faces weather disruption on the Irish Sea with gales affecting sailings yesterday. Afloat adds today, 21 December, sailings are subject to possible disruption or cancellation due to severe gale conditions.

For sailing updates, Click here

The Steam Packet has also warned of further disruption to sailings on the Manx-UK route which could last until Christmas Eve due to the weather.

BBC News has more on the dispute.

Published in Ferry

A Manx ferry Ben-my-Chree will be out of action for 'at least a week' as it undergoes repair work to one of its propellers.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company says it sustained damage when entering Heysham harbour, and it'll go into dry dock on Tuesday.

After inspection by divers, as well as investigations by the manufacturers of the propeller control systems, it's been decided the repairs can't be carried out whilst the vessel is afloat.

Manx Radio understands the Ben-my-Chree only returned to Douglas at around 12:30 this morning.

It'll sail from Douglas to Falmouth dry dock on Tuesday, with a further inspection and assessment by specialists to take place there.

The ropax built in 1998 Afloat adds having sailed overnight from the Irish Sea is currently off the Cornish coast while at Falmouth anchorage.

Published in Ferry

There has been a 'positive' response to a company survey according to the Isle of Man Steam Packet.

As Manx Radio reports, more than 7,000 people took part after it was launched at the end of last month.

The Company is trying to gain a better understanding of passenger views on travel services and on-board facilities.

Results from the survey will be taken into account during the design of a new vessel, which is due to replace the Ben-my-Chree over the next 2-3 years.

Published in Ferry

Crosshaven Boat Yard is the Irish distributor for Dufour Yachts of France. Crosshaven Boatyard offers a complete range of top quality Cruising and Racing yachts from 32 feet to 52 feet.

Crosshaven Boat Yard was established over 60 years ago and has been a family-based operation since its early days.

The Yard originally specialised in building commercial fishing boats and small pleasure craft, both sail and power and is famous for its involvement in the construction of a number of significant yachts such as Gypsy Moth V, Saint Brendan, Longbow II and a series of Moondusters were completed up to the early ’80s.

Crosshaven Boat Yard installed the first commercial marina, with a Marine Travel hoist, in Ireland in 1979. This era saw a major change of emphasis in the business and since then we have concentrated on all aspects of the repair, care and maintenance.

The Cork Harbour company also offer, the White Shark Range of Sports Boats cater for angling and water skiing interests.

Crosshaven Boatyard are also agents for the popular Seaward Range of Motor Cruisers from 19′ to 42′.

The firm's Brokerage service consistently achieves top results for our large client base and we can offer the best professional advice whether you are a buyer or a boat owner.

The yard is situated just a stone's throw from the Royal Cork Yacht Club,  the oldest yacht club in the world founded in 1720.