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Spring tides lead to ferry timetable changes

BBC The Ben-my-Chree and Manannan ferries moored in Douglas Bay. The sea is deep blue and there is the grass of Douglas Head in the foreground and the buildings on Douglas seafront in the background.BBC
Services have been disrupted due to very low spring tides in Douglas Harbour

Departure and journey times of ferry services have been overhauled and a back-up vessel has been brought into service due to low spring tides disrupting access to Douglas Harbour.

The Ben-my-Chree undertook a later than usual morning sailing to Heysham, with its return to the island's capital at 17:00 BST due to take more than five hours.

Flagship vessel the Manxman is due to carry out the evening and overnight return journeys, setting off from Douglas at 22:00.

The vessel are both set to operate on the Lancashire route until Thursday as the low tides continue to cause issues with berthing in Douglas Harbour.

The ferry firm's schedule has faced significant disruption in recent weeks due to very low spring tides coupled with silting in the harbour.

The conditions led to the temporary grounding of the Manxman after its arrival in Douglas on the evening of 1 March.

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