Newspaper deliveries to be delayed due to boat changes

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPC) changing its sailings due to industrial action has had a knock effect to newspaper deliveries.

Industrial action has caused Steam Packet bosses to deploy the cargo ship “Arrow” to operate overnight freight sailings for the next two weeks.

Newspaper deliveries

The IOMSPC has informed G E White Ltd Wholesale Newsagent that “the vessel will not dock until after the Manxman has left for its morning sailing at 08:00”.

The wholesale newsagent says that “given unloading and transport to the depot and traffic we anticipate our deliveries to be around 3 hours later then normal”.

It will update its website each morning when supplies arrive and readers should check with local retailers as when the newspaper are available for collection.

The changes to its delivery schedule will also effect the Manx Independent, Examiner and IOM Courier.

Sailing changes

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.