Ben-my-Chree experienced a problem with its starboard pitch control while completing her routine pre-departure tests for the 0215 sailing to the Isle of Man.
Engineers worked to try to resolve the issue and the vessel left Heysham at 0637.
Further investigations are required in Douglas this morning, with Ben-my-Chree’s scheduled 0845 Isle of Man-Heysham service now provisionally expected to depart before midday. There will be a further passenger update after 1030.
As a consequence, today’s subsequent Ben-my-Chree services to and from Heysham will be delayed. Updates will be issued throughout the day on www.steam-packet.com.
Today’s Manannan sailings to and from Dublin and Liverpool are not affected and passengers should check in on time.
Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Initial investigations suggest there has been an electronics failure, but we await a full engineering report before being able to comment fully on the issue, and this will affect how quickly we can return to our normal Heysham schedule.
‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused but are working to minimise disruption. We have extended our charter of the freighter Arrow and she will complete an additional freight service at 1700 from Douglas and 0100 from Heysham.’
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