EnergyFM and other Manx news outlets are reporting on the belated refit of the Manannan:
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has made a significant investment in upgrades to customer service areas onboard the Manannan.
The vessel has undergone the biggest refit since it first entered service with the Company in 2009.
Manannan undergoes major refit
This refit was originally agreed to be completed by March 2021 as part of the Isle of Man Government’s purchase of the Steam Packet Company in 2019:
In April 2021 – immediately after the due date for the refit had passed – the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance asked questions of the Department of Infrastructure about the failure to deliver the upgraded vessels on time, and why the Sea Services Agreement was not being upheld for the benefit of the people of the Isle of Man.
The Department of Infrastructure and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company subsequently updated the Sea Services Agreement, requiring the Manannan to be refurbished no later than 31 March 2023.
“The delay due to COVID is reasonable, and it is good that the agreement has been finally upheld with mere hours to spare,” said Michael Josem of the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance. “This shows why we need independent scrutiny of our Government: to ensure that taxpayers get what they pay for.”