Steam Packet pays tribute to captain

A Steam Packet captain who was found hanged in his home last year committed suicide.

44-year-old Stephen Spenser was discovered by his mother, brother and fiancée at his home in Onchan on October 30th after he failed to turn up for work.

The inquest into his death was formally closed today with Coroner John Needham recording a suicide verdict saying he had "deliberately hung himself".

The Steam Packet Company has paid tribute to the captain saying he was a long serving colleague and a man who “conducted his work professionally and responsibly”.

He started working for the company in 1986 gaining his master’s certificate in 2002 - during his time was in command of a number of vessels including Manannan and the Ben-my-Chree.