Fishing gear causes 'hundreds of thousands of pounds' damage to Manannan

Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of 'wholly preventable' damage has been caused to the Manannan by marker buoys, fishing pots and associated gear on the approaches to Douglas harbour, according to the Steam Packet.

The Manannan is out of service today for essential maintenance but will resume scheduled services tomorrow (Thursday).

Fishing gear has been ingested by the fastcraft's underwater impellor on several occasions causing serious mechanical damage.

Mark Woodward Chief Executive of the Isle Of Man Steam Packet said: ‘The Isle of Man needs protected navigation routes and the co-operation of all those fishing in Manx waters to help prevent this sort of damage to our vessels and the resulting inconvenience to many thousands of passengers. Our fast craft have now suffered damage on nine separate occasions in recent years as a result of fishing gear ingestion in Manx waters.
 
‘It is time that the navigational approaches into Douglas Harbour were better protected as is the case with all other ports we serve. This is essential to protect the Island’s lifeline and maintain reliable services for passengers.’