Steam Packet managing director Brian Thomson said the Manxman is not the only new vessel to encounter difficulties early on in its service.
The Manxman is not expected to resume sailings before the end of September at the earliest after problems were discovered.
Its extended stay in dry dock comes at a peak time of the tourist season and has led to many travellers airing their dissatisfaction, despite contingency measures being brought in.
Thomson said: “She is still a relatively new vessel and I do not believe that any new vessel does not have issues.
“You just have to look back in history and see the issues that the Ben-my-Chree had for the first five years of its life that everyone has conveniently forgot.”
He made the comments during an interview with Manx.News that took place before the latest issues with the Arrow that will see that vessel head todry dock and not return to service until August 16.
Ben Was Already Lined Up
Thomson said the Ben was always lined up for use during the Manxman’s dry dock period.
“It is just unfortunate that the Manxman dry dock has extended beyond what we would like.”
He added: “It is absolutely not ideal. What I would say is we do have space to move people around and get them to where they need to be.”
How Long Before Manxman is Back?
Thomson said: “With a new vessel you expect issues. It is a unique, bespoke engineering system. It is not something that is just off-the-shelf or could be replaced.
“That is why the extended dry dock – the work has to get done properly and it is unfortunate that it is going to take this long and it is at this time of the year.
“It is not the (drive) shaft, it is the bearings and the liners that need replacing, where there was excess wear. The shafts themselves were intact. It is the liners and bearings that are being replaced.”
He added: “I cannot say the vessel will never break again but I think the team will do absolutely everything they can to make it as reliable as possible going forward.”
