Nov 12 2008
Manannan, the new ship of Isle of Man
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the lifeline of the Manx community has recently made a significant investment in a new ship and named it “Manannan” after the Celtic God of the Sea, believed to be the protector of Isle of Man. This name was carefully selected following a competition launched by the Steam Packet Company.
Commenting on the new ship’s name, the company’s chief executive Mr. Mark Woodward said “Manannan, while not a traditional Steam Packet name, is nevertheless clearly identifiable with the Isle of Man and reinforces the vital lifeline relationship between the company and the island.”
This new ship, currently undergoing a major refurbishment is a 96 metre long catamaran purchased in Tasmania. Manannan will replace the Viking on the Liverpool to Douglas route.
The Steam Packet Company prides itself on being the world’s oldest(est.1830) continually operating passenger shipping company. The IOM Steam Packet company runs two fast catamarans along with a conventional freight and passenger ferry between Isle of Man and Liverpool and Heysham in UK as well as between Belfast (Northern Ireland) and Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.
Hi
I travel a lot by ferry and some of the information on this site is great, so thanks!
I am very much looking forward to sailing on Steam Packet’s new fast ferry. I travel to the Isle of Man approx 6 times per year and I’m hoping this will significantly cut the journey time compared to the older ships. It hsould hopefully be more a more comfortable journey. I usually book through http://www.aferry.co.uk as they tend to have the latest steam packet timetables available and generally the prices are very good compared to other ferry sites.
I suggest you go to the steam packet site direct the aferry site quotes prices anything from £5 to £30 more> Saying that the Steam Pirates still rip us islanders off with the over inflated fares
i love the mannanan ship it has loveily contours