Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

Manx shipping company

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Limited (abbreviated to IoMSPCo.) is the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world, having been founded in 1830. The company provides freight, passenger and vehicle services between the Isle of Man Sea Terminal, in Douglas, Isle of Man, and four ports in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is owned by the Isle of Man Government.

There had been various shipping companies serving the Isle of Man before the formation of this company in 1830, but their crossings were irregular and vessels used were unreliable. As a result, the island could be cut off for weeks at a time. The Manx people felt it was essential they should have their own dedicated service. A meeting was held in Douglas in 1829, from which was formed a committee charged investigating the cost of acquiring a steam packet. On 30 June 1830, the forerunner of today's Isle of Man Steam Packet Company was born when the brand new vessel, Mona's Isle, built at a cost of £7,250, sailed from Douglas to Liverpool on its very first sailing. From the inauguration of the service until January 1832, the company was known as the Mona's Isle Company. Briefly the company then traded as the Isle of Man United Steam Packet, before assuming its present name in July 1832. By the turn of the 20th century, the company was serving numerous ports in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Ports served included Liverpool, Silloth, Whitehaven, Holyhead, Ardrossan, Blackpool, Belfast and Dublin.

Four side loading roll on/roll off car ferries were introduced, beginning with TSS Manx Maid in 1962, and followed by SS Ben my Chree (1966), (1972) and (1976). Mona's Isle (VI) was the Steam Packet Company's first stern loader in 1984–85. The 1980s were tough times for the company, with declining passenger numbers. Strong competition from Manx Line's brought them close to collapse. In February 1985, they announced a merger with Sealink who had, by now, taken over Manx Line. The main UK port switched from Liverpool to Heysham, thus ending (albeit temporarily as it turned out) an association lasting back to the company's origins. In 1996, the Steam Packet Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sea Containers headed by James Sherwood, who had pioneered the fast craft operation. In July 2003, the company was sold for £142 million to Montagu Private Equity. In 2005, the company was purchased by Macquarie Bank for £225 million. On 3 February 2007, Sea Express 1 (formerly SeaCat Isle of Man) collided with the cargo ship Alaska Rainbow in heavy fog in the River Mersey. None of the 294 passengers and crew was hurt, and the ferry was moored at Liverpool Pier Head while water was being pumped from the engine room, a number of cars remained on board. She was later towed to the Cammell Laird basin in Birkenhead where all cars remaining aboard were offloaded. On 14 March 2007, the Sea Express 1 was relaunched. In the meantime alternative service was provided by Ben my Chree to Birkenhead during the weekends. In December 2007, the vessel was renamed to become the sixth Snaefell. In June 2007, a new CEO, Mark Woodward, was appointed to succeed Hamish Ross; he promised to improve the company's services, to return to the classic livery, and to promote the island's culture. As the first part of the rebranding, the Sea Express 1 and SuperSeaCat Two were renamed Snaefell and Viking respectively; the latter was later sold and operated for the Atlantico Line as Hellenic Wind. The fleet received a brand new livery, replacing the old SeaCo livery. All vessels of the fleet underwent complete internal refits which reflected the company's new colours and the rebranding of the company's on board lounges. The terminals received new signage and new uniforms were made for crew and shore staff. The company's first class lounge and members club were renamed: 1st Lounge became the Premium Lounge and the Blue Riband Club became the Executive Club. The Quiet Lounge was also renamed, becoming the Niarbyl Reserved Lounge. On 26 March 2010, while embarking passengers and loading vehicles at Heysham, England, the ro ro passenger ferry Ben my Chree moved approximately eight metres (9 yards) along the quayside, causing serious damage to the passenger access structure. The foot passenger walkway detached at both ends and collapsed onto the quayside, and the gangway detached from the vessel's side shell door and was left hanging on a single rope. There were no injuries. Eight passengers were trapped in the gangway compartment of the shore structure and were later rescued by the local fire service. On 1 November 2010, it was reported on the Isle of Man Newspapers website, that the Steam Packet had lost two major freight customers to rival company Mezeron who had just set up a new freight service between Douglas and Liverpool a week or so earlier. In February 2011 Mezeron withdrew the service citing lack of growth in the market. Previously the Steam Packet Company had reported a loss of 15% of its total freight business to Mezeron. In April 2011, it was announced that the company had new owners Banco Espírito Santo. In May 2018, it was confirmed that the Isle of Man Government had agreed a deal worth £124 million to purchase 100% of MIOM Ltd, the parent company of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The deal was approved by Tynwald on 16 May 2018. The company planned to use a 32 year old vessel Cometa. However the venture failed and nothing has been heard since.

Steam Packet ships have been used in a number of films. The SS Mona's Queen is seen dockside in Liverpool in the 1935 George Formby comedy No Limit. In the Barbra Streisand film, Yentl the ship carrying emigrants to the United States at the end of the film is the Manxman. The Manxman also appears in Chariots of Fire. The Ben my Chree [6] was used in 2004 as a double for an English Channel ferry in the film On a Clear Day. The Lady of Mann was also used in the 2004 film Mickybo and Me and also appears, in Dublin, in Alan Parker's movie "The Commitments".

The company started with wooden paddle steamers, which soon gave way to the steel "screw" vessels. The "screw" vessels were superseded by turbine steamers, the first being the 1905 SS Viking. The company then replaced the passenger only steamers with side loading car ferries, the first diesel car ferry being the 1972 (V). Fastcraft then became the next generation of vessels to operate for the company, the first being the SeaCat Isle of Man.

The company has operated a number of roll on/roll off passenger and freight ferries in its history, the pioneering vessel being the Peveril [IV] in 1981, in response to Manx Line's Manx Viking. Image Ship Built(Commissioned) Route Tonnage Notes Mona's Isle [VI] May 1966(April 1985) Douglas — Heysham Sold for further use as Al FahadSunk off Jeddah in 2004 Tynwald [VI] April 1967(October 1985) Sold for further use as Lauro ExpressScrapped at Alang in 2007 King Orry [VI] February 1972(February 1990) Douglas — HeyshamDouglas — Liverpool Sold for further use as Moby LoveStill in service [IV] January 1971(May 1981) Douglas — various Sold for further use in 2000Believed scrapped August 1974(1976) Douglas — Heysham Scrapped at Sault Ste. Marie, Canada Belard April 1979(November 1993) Various Sold for further use as MuirneagStill in service

The company has operated fastcraft since 1993. Ship Name Built(In service) Routes Notes Emeraude France October 1990(March 2007) Douglas — Liverpool/Belfast/Dublin Chartered in 2007Currently laid up at Tilbury SeaCat Danmark January 1991(May 1998) Chartered between 1998 and 2000Now operating as Golden Blaze SeaCat Rapide February 1996(June 2004) Douglas — various Chartered in 2004Now operating as Jaume II Snaefell [VI] April 1991(May 1994) Douglas — Liverpool/Belfast/Dublin Chartered to Seajets in Greece in 2011Now operating as Master Jet SuperSeaCat Three March 1999(2000) Douglas — various Now operating as Speedrunner III Viking [II] June 1997(March 2003) Douglas — Liverpool/Belfast/Dublin Chartered 2003 2008Now operating as Hellenic Wind Manannan 1998(May 2009) Currently operating services from Douglasto Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin.