The flagship ferry Manxman has made its first ‘virtual’ arrival at the Isle of Man Government's new £70m Liverpool terminal due to open in March.

Officers of the Isle of Man Steam Packet, writes IOMToday, undertook a recent trip using the virtual reality simulator facilities in the Netherlands. This was to enable the officers to try out some navigation scenarios on a virtual model of the Manxman.

The company's fast-craft, Manannan as previously reported by Afloat, is due to start running trips on the seasonal Douglas-Liverpool route.

In the coming week, berthing trials are expected at the new ferry terminal, with the Manannan given top priority before those are carried out of the flagship, which will also continue to serve the main Douglas-Heysham route.

Afloat adds, today (23 Jan.) that according to the Steam Packet facebook, sailing are cancelled on the Isle of Man-England route due to the ongoing severe strong winds. Forecast has wind speeds exceeding safe limits at both Douglas and Heysham, preventing safe entry.

Due to weather conditions exceeding Douglas Harbour wind limits, Manxman will proceed to sea to seek shelter.

The same scenario arose at the peak of Storm Isha, when the flagship on Sunday was forced to go to sea.

A series of public events to welcome a new flagship ferry to serve the Isle of Man is to be live streamed at Douglas Head today. 

Afloat adds live events are also available online here to celebrate the new £78m Isle of Man Steam Packet's flagship Manxman will be publicly welcomed to the newbuild's home port today, 9 July.

It was last Sunday when the 1000-person capacity new ferry had arrived to Douglas Harbour, having completed a 12,000 nautical mile delivary voyage from a South Korean shipyard.

Before the Manxman arrived to the island, the newbuild had called to Southampton for further work to be completed on what is the largest ever ferry built for the Steam Packet.

The flagship is to operate the Douglas-Heysham route which since 1998 has been operated by the Ben-My-Chree. In addition on completion of the new terminal in Liverpool, Manxman will during the winter make weekend visits to Merseyside.

A live-stream of events via a screen located on Douglas Head will be made available for the public to watch proceedings. The ferry companies Managing Director, Brian Thomson is to make a speech on the quayside, before the traditional champagne bottle is broken onto Manxman’s bow.

An employee of the company for the over 20 years, Janice McDowall and Liverpool Terminal Manager has been given the honour of wishing Manxman well. 

ManxRadio has more including timings of events from this morning and throughout today.