HSC Manannan

HSC Manannan is a 96 m wave-piercing high-speed catamaran car ferry built by Incat, Australia in 1998. After commercial service in Australia and New Zealand, she was chartered to the US military as Joint Venture (HSV-X1). Now owned and operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, she mainly provides a seasonal service between Douglas Harbour and Port of Liverpool.

Early history

Manannan is one of six 96-metre (WPC 96) catamarans built by Incat, Australia. She was built as Incat 050 in 1998. Under the name Devil Cat, she operated for a short period as a commercial ferry for Spirit of Tasmania. A spell followed crossing the Cook Strait as Top Cat.[2] Then she was acquired by the United States Navy and converted for military purposes.

United States Navy

In 2001, she was contracted by the United States Armed Forces for a five-year, joint Army/Navy program, as Joint Venture (HSV-X1).[3]

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

On 19 May 2008, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company announced the purchase of the wave-piercing catamaran for £20 million, as the replacement for the fast craft Viking. Because of its previous use, the company said it had significantly fewer hours of service than a vessel of comparable age and was ideally suited for the planned service. She completed the 11,868 mi voyage from Hobart to Portsmouth Harbour, with most of the materials for her refit, in 27 days.[5]

A £3 million refit, carried out by Burgess Marine, Portsmouth, provided a new aft accommodation module and the "Sky Lounge". The heavy military ramp was replaced with a new stern door and the helideck was removed. Following this, she arrived in Douglas on 11 May 2009. An open day took place at each of the company's ports and at a renaming ceremony, she was renamed after Manannán mac Lir, the Celtic god of the Irish sea. Manannan made her maiden service voyage with the Steam Packet Company on Friday 22 May 2009 on the 07:30 sailing from Douglas Harbour to Liverpool.[6]

During the winter period 2014/2015 Manannan was fitted with a removable mezzanine deck which created additional space for motorcycles during the Isle of Man TT and Festival of Motorcycling periods, allowing fans who have previously traveled as foot passengers the chance to bring their bikes.[7] - by late March 2015, the number of motorcycles booked for the TT Festival was up 10% on the previous year.[7]

Service

Until 2018, at 96 m, Manannan was the largest vessel of its kind on the Irish Sea until Irish Ferries took delivery of the Dublin Swift.[6] In summer season, she operates daily sailings from Douglas to Liverpool, and weekly/twice weekly sailings to Belfast and Dublin. During the winter, Manannan remains in Douglas on reserve and sails to Liverpool to have her annual overhaul before returning for the summer season.

Onboard facilities

Manannan's passenger facilities are located over two decks.

Incidents

In April 2015 the Manannan suffered six days of cancelled sailings due to damage to its jet system caused by sea debris.[8] All sailings between the Isle of Man and Liverpool were cancelled and passengers were transferred to sailings on the Ben-my-Chree to and from Heysham,[9]

namesake	Manannán mac Lir
operator	* 1998–1999: Spirit of Tasmania * 1999–2000: Fast Cat Ferries * 2000–2001: Laid-up * 2001–2008: United States Navy * 2008–present: Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
registry	🇮🇲 Douglas Harbour
route	* Douglas Harbour—Liverpool * Douglas—Belfast * Douglas―Dublin * Douglas—Heysham
builder	Incat, Hobart, Australia
yard number	050
launched	7 November 1998
completed	21 November 1998
status	In service
commissioned	1998
recommissioned	2009
refit	2001, 2009
identification	* * MMSI Number 235070199 * Callsign 2BXK7

Early history

United States Navy

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

Service

Onboard facilities

Incidents

Photo gallery

See also

External links

References