Douglas harbour dredging affects Manx ferry services this week

By 3FM Published 14 April 2026

If you're planning to travel to the Isle of Man by ferry this week, it's worth checking your sailing times. Steam Packet has rescheduled seven crossings to and from Heysham due to water depth issues in Douglas harbour, with delays of up to half an hour or more affecting passengers across multiple days.

Ferry Delays Hit This Week — Here's What You Need to Know

The ferry operator has confirmed that ongoing dredging work in Douglas has created insufficient water depth for normal operations. This essential maintenance work means that travellers should expect schedule changes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this week as vessels adjust their departure times to accommodate the current conditions.

When Are the Changes?

The disruptions affect Manxman sailings across three days:

  • Thursday: Two sailings rescheduled
  • Friday: Four sailings rescheduled
  • Saturday: One sailing rescheduled

All delays are half an hour or longer, so passengers are advised to check the Steam Packet website before travelling and allow extra time for their journeys.

Planning Your Trip to the Island?

While dredging work is temporary, it's a timely reminder to always verify ferry times before your visit to the Isle of Man. The Steam Packet company website has the most up-to-date sailing information, and contacting them directly ensures you won't miss your crossing. Despite this week's adjustments, regular ferry services between the Island and Lancashire continue to operate.

Source: Read full article on 3FM