By Liz S

BBC website headline on main UK page:

“Main ferry out of action until late September”

“The Isle of Man main ferry will be out of action until late September for repairs, the operator has confirmed“.

“The Manxman has been in drydock since 13 July, with back-up passenger vessel the Ben-my-Chree carrying out sailings between the island and Lancashire”

“**The government-owned ferry operator ** said inspections of the affected components – which could only take place once disassembly process was underway – had enabled engineers to work out what needed to be done and how long it would take”

** NB. It is not a Scottish “government-owned ferry operator” .

Interestingly nowhere within this article are the opinions of any politicians nor Manx residents sought to give their critique upon this situation, nor indeed is this BBC article seeking to politicise this situation as apparently that , as far as the BBC is concerned , is , as a position, one that is only reserved for all and any Ferries within Scotland.

However yesterday on Manx Radio they had this report:

“Isle of Man residents are angry because the flagship ferry Manxman is out of action until late September 2026 due to propulsion shaft bearing wear, leaving the public frustrated by a lack of transparency from the Isle of Mann steam packet Company over the £80 million taxpayer-funded vessel”.

I guess the BBC in their article yesterday on this situation must have missed (ignored) the angry residents and the public frustration at the lack of transparency over this taxpayer funded vessel – that is now out of action until September.

Liz S