Steam Packet's concern over harbour silt

Ministers say it would be premature to draw conclusions

The Steam Packet raised concerns that sediment in Douglas Harbour may have contributed to the damage that has kept the Manxman out of service.

In an email to the Treasury in July, the company's finance director outlined spending on the repairs, which are expected to exceed £2.5m. 

The email stated that the board was 'concerned that much of the bearing and liner degradation may have been caused by sediment in Douglas Harbour'.

It adds: "This reinforces the priority of completing a capital dredge urgently to meet the minimum depths required under the SSA."

The Manxman has been in dry dock since significant wear to both propeller shafts and associated seawater-lubricated shaft bearings was discovered.

However, a Council of Ministers paper says it would be premature to draw conclusions on any link between harbour conditions and the mechanical failure until the company's technical investigation has concluded.

It said that the likely causes were either contamination, debris or silt in seawater entering the bearing system or a material defect in the bearings. 

The paper states that the DoI's Harbours Division has implemented several measures following the March 2025 Manxman grounding investigation, including enhanced survey programmes and revised dredging plans.

It adds that contractor dredging has been undertaken during 2025 and 2026, supported by improved survey and monitoring arrangements intended to maintain navigational resilience and SSA depth requirements.

The Council of Ministers was also told that the silt build up in Douglas Harbour is less than that in Liverpool and Heysham docks.

In his letter to the Treasury's Chief Financial Officer, Caldric Randall, Steam Packet chairman Dan Clague said the long-term resilience of the Island's sea links depends not only on vessel reliability but also on the continued suitability of the supporting harbour infrastructures in Douglas, Heysham and Liverpool.

He wrote: "In particular, the maintenance of adequate berth and approach channel depths to meet Sea Services Assessment (SSA) requirements is a critical factor in ensuring safe and reliable operations for both existing and future vessels."

The Steam Packet has ordered an independent report into the damage to Manxman, which has not yet been concluded.