Manxman: Steam Packet's new ferry officially welcomed

The newest Manx ferry has been officially welcomed to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's fleet with a special ceremony at the harbourside.

Special guests and government ministers joined staff of the company for the ceremony on Sunday.

It was finished off with the traditional breaking of a bottle of bubbly on the bow of the ship.

The honour was carried out by the company's Liverpool Terminal Manager Janice McDowell.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said it was a "beautiful ship" that had been "designed and built to the highest specifications to meet the needs of the island that she serves".

The ceremony was livestreamed on a big screen on Douglas Head, and the evening will be rounded off with a fireworks display and sail-by in Douglas Bay.

The third in the government-owned company's fleet to hold the name Manxman, the ship has a length of 436ft (133m) and a capacity of 950, making it the largest in the Steam Packet's history.

After arriving a week ago, the vessel has been undergoing inspections, including a test of its Marine Evacuation System, and berthing trials.

Built in South Korea, the £78m vessel is the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's first new passenger and freight ferry since 1998.

The Manxman will replace the Ben-my-Chree as the island's main ferry later this year.

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