ENGINEERS have discovered a mechanical problem with one of the four engines on the Steam Packet vessel Manannan.

Essential repair work to the engine is needed but the company has decided that rather than take the vessel out of service it will complete repairs while keeping Manannan sailing and fulfilling scheduled commitments.

However it means sailings over the next three weeks will be 20 to 30 minutes slower than usual which means the revised crossing time between Douglas and Liverpool will be about three hours.

It is anticipated the repairs will be completed prior to the start of the busier school holiday period.

Chief executive Mark Woodward said: "Since her introduction last year Manannan has provided a highly reliable, increased capacity, quality service for Island residents and visitors and has recently completed another successful busy TT period.

"We have become aware of an issue with one of her engines and anticipate that this will be fully investigated and repaired within the next three weeks.

"In the meantime, we intend that Manannan will maintain her scheduled duties, albeit on three engines, with the result that crossing times to and from Liverpool will increase to around three hours.

"I know this is not ideal but I believe that passengers will be less inconvenienced by a slightly later arrival time on their trip rather than asking some of them to make more significant changes to their travel plans.

"To further minimise any inconvenience, I would ask all passengers to check in promptly so that we can ensure early departures when possible and mitigate any increase in sailing time.

"I would like to apologise to all our passengers for any inconvenience this may cause and assure them that we will do all we can to complete repairs as soon as possible."