The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPC) is making changes to their January 2024 ferry schedule due to low tides and insufficient clearance at Heysham Port.
The affected sailing dates are from Thursday, January 18 to Monday, January 22.
According to the Steam Packet, the recent bad winter weather has led to added silting at Heysham Port.
This has now coincided with low tides around scheduled arrival and departure times.
Changes to schedule
This has forced the Company to make changes to the schedule in order to comply with safety requirements as there is too little water to carry out berthing operations safely.
The Company is in contact with the Peel Ports to mitigate this problem and limit disruptions going forward.
Peel Ports has commented that: “The Port has brought forward it’s scheduled dredging campaign which will commence next week and is expected to address the current water depth issues.”
Information about the affected sailings will be communicated to customers via text and email.
Any vessel
This issue would affect any of the Company’s conventional vessels.
The Company policy requires 1m depth under keel for maneuvering.
Other ferry company’s such as Seatruck and P&O have lower safety limits as they predominantly carry freight.
Ferry customers
Customers are reminded that it is important to provide a mobile number and/or email address when making their booking in order to be kept informed of any changes to check-in or sailing times.
Passengers with existing bookings can update the information online.
If you do not have an online account it is possible to add a mobile number to your booking by contacting the Company’s reservations teams and quoting your booking reference.
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