The new ferry that will serve between Heysham and the Isle of Man has been floated for the first time as work continues on the state-of-the-art vessel.
‘Manxman’ will eventually replace Ben-my-Cheree, the current ferry operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The name was chosen after a public vote between Manxman, Mona’s Isle, Manx Maid and King Orry.
Manxman will become the third ship in the Company’s history to bear the name, the last a turbine steamer launched in 1955. It is a name that embodies the Manx spirit, signifies national pride and is suitably enduring for a vessel that will take the Steam Packet Company into its 200th year and beyond.
In March 2019, a new Sea Services Agreement was finalised between the Company and the Department of Infrastructure, laying the framework for future investment in the Island’s lifeline sea links. It set the wheels in motion to construct the replacement vessel, with bosses busy progressing plans for the exciting new development.
In April 2020, findings of a passenger survey revealed a list of priority on-board services and facilities that were considered important in the new vessel’s construction. They included a wider choice of food and drink, more portable device charging points, an increase in the number of standard cabins available, a larger and more comfortable area for passengers travelling with pets, a children’s play area suitable for a wider range of ages, and larger lifts from the vehicle deck. As many suggestions as possible have been incorporated into the final design.
In the summer of 2021, work on the new vessel began at one of the world’s major shipbuilders, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in South Korea. The shipyard is one of the world’s leading blue chip names in the industry, with a proven track record of delivering vessels on time, to budget and to its trademark high standards.
A steel cutting ceremony in August, 2021, saw work officially begin, with the landmark keel laying ceremony taking place on Christmas Eve.
Now, after months of construction and skilled engineering to get the structure to this stage, Manxman officially floated for the first time this month.
Manxman’s build continues to progress at a fast pace, with more than 110,000 man hours spent on construction as of January this year.
The four main generator engines have been delivered to HMD from Wartsila in Finland and installed into the engine rooms, along with other large items of machinery such as sewage treatment plants and the main switchboards. The vessel has grown to her full length and at the forward end, construction is up to deck 5 level out of nine covered decks. When Manxman is completed deck 5 will be the upper car deck.
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