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#MerseyFastFerry – The recent return of the Manx-Merseyside fast-craft car-ferry, Manannan alongside to Liverpool Landing stage marks preparations to the 2014 seasonal service between the city and Douglas, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Manannan, which had spent a winter lay-up in Liverpool docks, is to reopen the route this Friday (28 March). The inaugural sailing departs Douglas at 07.30 and for further information sailings and other routes visit the link HERE.

A UK-Manx service was in operation during the winter months on the Douglas-Birkenhead link. The ferry terminal of Twelve Quays in Birkenhead is located facing Liverpool on the opposite side of the River Mersey.

The Birkenhead-Douglas route had been served by conventional ro-pax ferry, Ben-My-Chree which in tandem also ran sailings to Heysham, from where the vessel continues to operate on the company's second Isle of Man-England route.

 

Published in Ferry

SB20 (formerly Laser SB3) information

Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.

Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. In 2012, Tony Castro appointed a new builder, Sportsboat World. At this time, the Laser SB3 was renamed the SB20 and building was returned to the UK from Malaysia. The ethos of the class continues.

The boat is a strict one-design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a family car.

Previous SB20 World Champions

2008 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Roger Gilbert, Roz Allen & Sarah Allan

Host National Yacht Club, Dun laoghaire, Ireland

2009 GBR: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heeley

Host Clube Naval de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal

2010 GBR: Jerry Hill, Grant Rollerson, Joe Llewellyn

Host Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy

2011 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills & Emma Clarke

Host Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK

2012 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Lesley Dhonau, Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim

Host Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Queensland, Australia

2013 GRB: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heley Host COYCH Club, Hyeres, France