MV Manxman is a new-build Ro-pax ferry which entered service with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IoMSPCo) on 17 August 2023.
 Manxman at anchor in Singapore | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Manxman |
| Owner | Isle of Man Steam Packet Company |
| Operator | Isle of Man Steam Packet Company |
| Port of registry |  Douglas |
| Route | Douglas - Heysham Douglas - Belfast (Seasonal) Douglas - Liverpool (Winter Only - From 9 November 2024) |
| Ordered | 31 July 2020 |
| Builder | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, South Korea |
| Cost | GB £78,000,000 |
| Yard number | 8311 |
| Laid down | 24 December 2021 |
| Launched | 14 June 2022 |
| Christened | 3 May 2023 |
| Completed | 20 April 2023 |
| Acquired | 10 May 2023 |
| In service | 17 August 2023 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ro-pax ferry |
| Tonnage | 24,161 GT |
| Length | 133.0 m (436 ft) |
| Beam | 26.0 m (85 ft) |
| Draught | 5.2 m (17 ft) |
| Installed power | 2 x Wärtsilä 31 10-cylinder diesel engines,
& 2 x Wärtsilä 31 8-cylinder diesel engines |
| Propulsion | 3 × bow thrusters |
| Speed | 19.25 knots (35.65 km/h; 22.15 mph) |
| Capacity | Passengers: 948
|
| Crew | 52 |
History
editOrder and construction
editThe ship was ordered on 31 July 2020 and was built by the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Ulsan, South Korea, being laid down on 24 December 2021.[1]
Construction commenced in the summer of 2021.[1][2] On 1 December 2020, following a naming competition, it was announced that the ship would be named Manxman, the third vessel in the history of the line to bear the name.[3]
Sea trials
editManxman started her first sea trials in December 2022.[1] However, during the course of the trials a significant fault was found in the ship's gearbox. This necessitated a return to the shipyard where the gearbox was replaced.[4]
The Sea Trials resumed in April and were carried out over the course of ten days in the Korea Strait between South Korea and the Japanese island of Tsushima. The trials involved various tests on the vessel's maneuverability, speed and fuel consumption, with the tests proving satisfactory.[4]
Naming ceremony
editOn May 3, 2023, Manxman officially received her name during a ceremony held at the Mipo Dockyard, the christening being performed by Geraldine Ugland.[5] As is Isle of Man Steam Packet Company tradition, the name has been painted in gold and will remain so for the first year of her service.[5]
Delivery
editAt 02:40 GMT, 11:40 local time, on 11 May 2023, Manxman was officially handed over when Chairman of the Board of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Lars Ugland, signed the official documentation to complete the transfer of ownership on behalf of the Company.[6]
On Saturday May 13, under the command of Captain Andy Atkinson, Manxman departed South Korea en route to Southampton for additional fitting out prior to her commencement of service.[5][6]
The delivery voyage of approximately 12,000 miles was originally planned to stage via Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombo, Muscat and Jeddah prior to transiting the Suez Canal, and then to Gibraltar and England. [7][8] However, an alteration en route resulted in the stop at Gibraltar being cancelled, and thus Manxman made passage through the Mediterranean via Malta[9] which was her last port of call prior to reaching Southampton.
Manxman arrived at the pilot station off Douglas at 08:15 GMT on Sunday July 2. She was boarded by the senior pilot for the Port of Douglas, Captain Stephen Carter, before she proceeded to berth at No. 5 Berth, King Edward VIII Pier. The occasion marked Capt. Carter's final duty prior to his retirement.[10][11]
Official welcoming ceremony
editForemost of the celebrations around Manxman's arrival was her official Welcoming Ceremony, which took place at Douglas on Sunday July 9.[12] The ceremony was performed by Janice McDowall, Manageress of the Company's Liverpool Terminal. The formalities were streamed live to a big screen which had been constructed on Douglas Head in addition to which the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's Managing Director, Brian Thomson, made a speech on the quayside, and at 11:15 local time the traditional champagne bottle was broken onto Manxman’s bow.[12]
The occasion also saw the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, Alfred Cannan MHK, given a guided tour of the ship.[12]
The festivities concluded with a firework display in Douglas Bay and a sail past by the Manxman.[12]
Service
editFollowing arrival at her home port, Manxman spent a period undergoing operating drills and docking procedures at the Port of Douglas. Part of this prelude to working up to operational efficiency saw Manxman make her first visit to the Port of Heysham on 11 July 2023.
Manxman commenced operational service on Thursday 17 August 2023 on the company's main schedule to Heysham,[13] replacing Ben-my-Chree. The Company will retain Ben-my-Chree on a standby basis,[2] to be in service during busy periods or when Manxman undergoes routine overhaul.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Manxman Timeline". Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ a b "New Isle of Man ferry to provide 'more space for passengers'". BBC News. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ "Manxman chosen as name of new Isle of Man ferry". BBC News. December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ a b Ashmore, Jehan (25 April 2023). "Newbuild Isle of Man Flagship Ferry Set to Depart South Korea after Passing Sea trials with 'Flying Colours'". Afloat. Baily Publications. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Nettle, Gemma (3 May 2023). "New Steam Packet ferry officially receives name". Isle of Man Today. Douglas. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Manxman officially joins Steam Packet fleet". Braddan, IOM: 3FM. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Manxman's Voyage". Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Captain's Log - Manxman's Journey Home". Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ Turton, Sam (15 June 2023). "Manxman in the Suez". Gef - Isle of Man. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Retiring chief pilot will miss some parts of the job". Manx Radio. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ Dalrymple, Andy (2 July 2023). "Manxman has arrived home". Gef - Isle of Man. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Public invited to officially welcome Manxman home". Manx Radio. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Isle of Man's new ferry Manxman makes maiden passenger voyage". BBC News. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
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