Isle of Man Steam Packet Company boss Brian Thomson says he is “confident” the repairs being carried out on the Manxman will see it return to high levels of reliability.
Earlier this month, a further delay on the return to service of the Manxman was announced as the shafts were sent to MarineShaft in Denmark for specialist repairs.
It meant the earliest date of a return of the vessel onto Isle of Man routes was put back from the end of this month until the end of November.
Thomson said: “We are confident the repairs undertaken are to the highest standard and will enable Manxman to return to service and deliver the high level of reliability she has previously shown. Finding the right partner was central to that.
“Very few sites anywhere are equipped for work of this scale and high-quality engineering, and MarineShaft are the right partner to deliver these specialist repairs.”
He added: “The management team working on this critical project has kept myself and the board regularly updated on progress of repairs to Manxman.
“As we have said from the start, these repairs and returning Manxman to service is the Company’s first priority and while a timely resolution matters to everyone, nothing can be allowed to compromise safety.”
Precision Engineering
Fleet Operations Manager Scott Wright has just returned from a visit to Denmark to observing the specialist machining to repair the shafts and liners removed from the Manxman.
Wright, who served as Chief Engineer aboard the Company’s vessels before being appointed Fleet Operations Manager, was in Hirtshals, Northern Denmark, at the works of MarineShaft, recognised as one of the leading experts in the field.
Getting the 18-metres long shafts to Denmark by road and ferry was itself a logistical challenge, said the Steam Packet. With both now nearing completion of works to restore them to specification they will shortly return to the UK where the complex process of reinstallation will begin.
Wright said: “From our first approach it has been clear how much MarineShaft share our priorities: precision engineering and workmanship, full compliance with safety standards.
“And a determination to complete these repairs on time”.
Manxman entered dry dock for scheduled maintenance and inspections in July.
Shortly after, it was discovered the drive shafts, liners and associated components had experienced wear that required significant repair. This led to the delays to the vessel’s return to service.
Freight vessel the Arrow has been recalled from charter to provide additional freight resilience while the Ben-my-Chree maintains passenger services.