Steam Packet boss Brian Thomson says he is hopeful that flagship Manxman will be back in service tomorrow evening.
Manxman suffered an allision in Heysham overnight when she hit the pier structure in difficult conditions.
While the ship has a hole from the crash, the company’s managing director said it is above the waterline and can be patched until Manxman goes into her already scheduled spell in dry dock in a few weeks time.
Mr Thomson said the crash said the damage is “minor” but was “enough so we couldn’t run the service last night or this morning”.
He said: “We have a repair plan that we think can employ over the next evening and we’re hoping that Manxman will be back in service tomorrow afternoon.”
And added: “There is a hole in the hull, quite a way above the water line, so that will be patched up, a temporary repair and then it will be fully assessed and repaired in a few weeks time when she’s goes into dry dock, which was already planned.
Mr Thomson also noted that while many online have put the ship at fault, the Ben-my-Chree, Manannan and MV Arrow have all had their own scrapes throughout their service with and away from the company.
The Ben
As a matter of good fortune, the Ben-my-Chree was already in Heysham for a freight run, with the company able to transfer crew and passengers over to her for the sailing to Douglas.
The former flagship of the company is being used to carry the Heysham route, with the MV Arrow being drafted in to support on freight.
The need to call in the two vessel has led to some online questioning the company’s stated position that it would like to see the Ben-my-Chree and operate with Manxman, Manannan and keep the MV Arrow as its backup freight option.
Mr Thomson said: “You can look at it from one point of view that we need this for these passengers, but it’s a one-off, hopefully, in the space of a year.
“The whole things need looking at, but either way the company has asked for permission to sell the Ben and it is up to the Isle of Man government if they can live with or not.
“From a company perspective we will deal with either situation that it ends up.”
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