The Steam Packet has apologised to passengers affected by the TT time table changes.

There was anger in Heysham yesterday, when 50 competitors were reportedly left stranded in the port, after being turned away from the afternoon ferry they were supposedly booked on.

Many believed the sailing was just for TT competitors.

Stuart Peters reports (text from attached audio file below):

Operations Director for the Steam Packet, Mark Woodward, says the company has been actively seeking charter vessels for the Centenary TT period for more than two years, but the event comes at a time when other companies are also looking to increase their capacity to meet summer demand and, as such, they are reluctant to release vessels to third parties such as the Steam Packet.

He says: 'Physical limits on port facilities, the suitability of vessels in the international marketplace and differing national safety regulations mean that ships cannot easily be transplanted from one area of operation to another. Where vessels are available operators typically prefer to secure longer term charters to those needed for the TT period and will not commit to the shorter charter period, often until just before the event.'

Mr Woodward continues: 'Without guarantees the company can only offer provisional vessels and timings for the following year's TT to those booking in advance. This is made clear when bookings and deposits are taken and explained again when final payment is due. For precisely these reasons, some of this year's provisional sailings have been altered.'

Mr Woodward admits the situation is not ideal, but says the company is committed to trying to offer the best service it can for the centenary TT event, and appeals for support from the Island community.

(Picture: The Steam Packet's flagship vessel, the Ben-my-Chree, from manxscenes.com).