'Significant dredging' to take place in harbour

"Significant dredging works" in Douglas harbour are set to be completed this month, the Department of Infrastructure has said.

Some Steam Packet's Manxman sailings have been rescheduled due to "insufficient water depth," including Friday's evening crossing, now set to depart for Heysham at 20:30 BST.

The Department of Infrastructure (DoI) said it was aware of the timetable changes.

The Harbours Division had been in "ongoing discussions with Steam Packet regarding harbour depths at Douglas and the planned mitigation measures," it added.

"A quotation has been issued for significant dredging works, which are anticipated to be completed by the end of the month.

Navigation systems in the DoI's harbour vessel had also been upgraded for "enhanced survey arrangements to support ongoing monitoring," it said.

Last March, the Manxman was temporarily grounded in Douglas Harbour due to a build up of sediment which had been washed in by the river.

Further dredging works have taken place in the harbour over the last year, and the Department said work on a business case for a future capital dredge of the harbour, which sometimes includes the removal of rock layers, was continuing.

"The Department will continue to work closely with Steam Packet to support safe and reliable harbour operations," it said.

Meanwhile, all of the sailings on Saturday are at risk of cancellation due to adverse weather, as well as the 02:15 BST crossing from Heysham on Sunday.

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