Ferry timetable changes ahead due to port water depth concerns
If you're planning to travel between the Isle of Man and the mainland in the coming days, it's worth checking your ferry times. The Isle of Man Steam Packet has announced several timetable adjustments to its Manxman service due to ongoing challenges with water depths in Douglas Harbour.
The first sailing to be affected is Wednesday, 1 April, when the 8:30am departure to Heysham will now leave at 8:00am instead. The return journey from Heysham, originally scheduled for 2:15pm, will depart three-quarters of an hour earlier at 1:30pm. Additional adjustments have been made to Thursday's daytime crossings to Heysham and Friday evening's sailing.
The good news? Services on the Manannan between Douglas, Liverpool, and Larne remain unaffected by these changes. If you're travelling on these routes, you can proceed with your plans as normal.
This isn't the first time Douglas Harbour has faced water depth challenges. In March 2025, the Steam Packet's flagship vessel Manxman ran aground in the harbour—an incident blamed on high levels of mud and sediment. Following that incident, specialist dredging work was carried out using the Norma II vessel, with particular focus on a shallow patch near berth five.
The Department of Infrastructure has been exploring options for long-term solutions, including a proposed five-year harbour survey programme and a bid for capital dredging to improve conditions at Douglas Harbour. These ongoing efforts aim to prevent future disruptions to ferry services and keep the island's vital transport links running smoothly.
Passengers are advised to check the latest sailing schedule before travelling, as further adjustments may be announced. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Steam Packet's website directly.
Source: Read full article on ManxRadio