A later than usual Manx Grand Prix is being blamed for a large reduction in sea passengers last month.
Compared to August last year, 39 per cent fewer people used the Belfast route, and there was a fall of 17.5 per cent for the Heysham service.
Overall, there were just under 6,000 fewer people and around 4,000 fewer vehicles travelling on the Steam Packet compared to 12 months ago.
On the plus side, the Dublin and Liverpool services performed better than in August last year, and Captain of Harbours Mike Brew says this month's figures will be boosted by the MGP.
He says the figures generally are reasonable considering the economic climate in the United Kingdom and Ireland and, overall, are on a par with last year.
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