Industrial action has caused Steam Packet bosses to deploy the cargo ship “Arrow” to operate some overnight freight sailings.
The Company issued a statement about the situation which has arisen out of the ongoing dispute with maritime union Nautilus:
“Due to a rostered officer having to unexpectedly take leave for personal reasons, Manxman will be undermanned for the next two weeks.
“As a result of Nautilus’ ongoing ‘industrial action short of a strike,’ no fellow officers will swap shifts or cover the absence via paid overtime.
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
Therefore, starting from tomorrow (Wednesday 3rd January) Manxman will only be able to operate a single daily sailing.
Overnight sailings
The Steam Packet say that the action will affect a relatively large number of sailings, but they are attempting to minimise disruption by maintaining the popular daytime sailings for passengers.
Passengers affected by the timetable change will be contacted by the Steam Packet’s reservation team and offered alternative sailings or refunds.
The Company has therefore been forced to implement the following timetable:
- 0800 Douglas – Heysham MANXMAN
- 1415 Heysham – Douglas MANXMAN
- 1700 Douglas – Heysham ARROW
- 0130 Heysham – Douglas ARROW
While this will affect a relatively large number of sailings, from a customer perspective, the Company has tried to minimise disruption by maintaining the more popular daytime sailings for passengers travelling to and from the Isle of Man.
All passengers on affected sailings will be contacted by the reservations team and offered transfers or full refunds.
Freight service will be maintained by Arrow for the period of the disruption.
The Company will provide updates as and when it is able.
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