Steam Packet crew were not given “priority” over customers on Ben-my-Chree when it came to removing passenger cabins from the vessel.
Speaking to Manx.News, Steam Packet Managing Director Brian Thomson says cabin space on the Ben‑my‑Chree was converted for crew use to support the planned Larne route, which requires live‑aboard staffing due to the length of the voyage.
When asked whether this meant crew were being given priority over passengers, Thomson said: “No, I wouldn’t call it priority. It’s just to be able to achieve the voyage times. Those cabins need to be repurposed, so it wasn’t a case of favoring.”
When concerns were raised about passengers who rely on cabins for medical reasons or because they need a private space, Thomson said the company is working with Patient Transfer and the ambulance service to introduce a dedicated medical room:
“We’ve been working with patient transfer and the ambulance service about having a medical room for anybody that seriously needs it.”
Regarding customers who may be on the autism spectrum and need the privacy of a cabin, Thomson replied “I think we’d need to get everything on a case by case basis”.
Mr Thomson suggested those customers contact him directly.
