An agreement has been reached says the Isle of Man Steam Packet, with the union representing its officers, in resolving the issue regarding terms which the ferry operator said they must live aboard the fleet at times.

According to Manx Radio, the company hasn't said what the agreement with the union, Nautilus International is, and whether officers will live aboard at times or not.

The Steam Packet’s Managing Director, Brian Thomson said: "We are pleased that our Officers and Nautilus brought solutions to our negotiations that have enabled us to reach a positive and fair agreement that ensures that we can continue to deliver a high-quality service to our customers."

He added, "We would like to thank our employees for their hard work and dedication during this period. We can now focus on delivering the reliable and quality service that our passengers expect and deserve on board our vessels which are the envy of the Irish Sea."

The Government owned company says the flagship Manxman, introduced last year, was designed for live aboard, and the practice allows for more flexibility and resilience to the sailing schedule.

Union members in December, had objected to the proposals and subsequent industrial action, coupled with poor weather, caused disruption over the busy Christmas and New Year periods.

The radio station has contacted the Steam Packet and Nautilus to find out more about the agreement, following the dispute of recent years.

Ferry operator, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company have put forward several options to resolve an ongoing row over crew contract changes, the firm's boss has said.

Managing Director, Brian Thomson said "different" proposals had been made at discussions with the seafarers’ trade union Nautilus International and the Manx Industrial Relations Service.

Mr. Thomson commented that it was "too early a stage" to discuss details but he was "hopeful" a resolution could be found.

It follows cuts to services as union members work-to-rule.

A rostered officer who had taken compassionate leave, was not replaced as no cover could be found, leading to Douglas-Heysham passenger crossings having to be reduced. This according to the Steam Packet involves one daytime sailing of the newbuild flagship, Manxman each day for a fortnight, which began yesterday as Afloat reported.

The company’s freight-only vessel, MV Arrow will also carry out overnight services for the Manx government-owned ferry firm over the same period on the Isle of Man-England route.

Since the introduction of the £76m Manxman in August, the dispute has deteriorated and centres around the live aboard arrangements for crew on the flagship during rest periods.

More from BBC News on the dispute. 

A Member of the House Keys (MHK) has joined several other politicians in voicing concerns regarding Isle of Man Steam Packet officers that were served with notice of termination on Friday evening (22 Dec), describing it as 'abhorrent behaviour'.

Seafarers’ trade union, Nautical International had towards the end of the week, claimed its members received the notice after refusing to sign new contracts of employment to work on board the new flagship as Afloat previously reported.

As ManxRadio reports, the conduct by the Steam Packet was described by the union as an active fire and rehire process.

Michelle Haywood, the MHK for Rushen, Port St. Mary, says the ferry company's board 'should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves', and had argued that 'this is no way to handle workforce relationships'.

The MHK whose constituency is located in the south-western tip of the Isle of Man added: 'Whoever signed off on sending that email three days before Christmas should hang their heads in shame'.

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.