Steam Packet vessel Ben-my-Chree has returned to service following a scheduled spell in dry dock to undergo repairs to its stabilising fin.
Fast-craft Manannan was pressed into action to serve passengers in its place over the weekend, from Friday to Monday, while MV Arrow took over freight duties.
The fin has now been removed from the Ben but it’s been discovered that a series of components will need to be replaced, which means a second scheduled period in dry dock, over February 8-10, will now not be needed.
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘The manufacturers are assessing the damage to the fin and we will be reviewing all options to minimise the repair time and avoid any unnecessary disruption. We will release further information as soon as we can.’
As things stand, the Ben will continue to operate without the fin, as previously scheduled, to both Heysham and Birkenhead until Manannan returns to service at the end of March.
It is unclear when the Ben will be refitted with the fin, but the vessel is due to undergo a routine biennial overhaul in April.