By
Laura Hyde |
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has officially welcomed its new flagship vessel, Manxman, to the fleet with a harbourside ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by special guests and government ministers, and was streamed live for the public to a screen on Douglas Head on the Isle of Man. It concluded with the customary breaking of a bottle on the bow, an honour given to the company’s Liverpool terminal manager, Janice McDowell. In the evening, Manxman sailed out into Douglas Bay, where a special fireworks display lit up the sky overhead.
The ceremony follows the ship’s 12,000-nautical-mile journey from the build port of Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. Manxman arrived in its homeport a week ago and has since been undergoing numerous inspections and tests.
Manxman will begin a limited service before the end of July and will replace existing vessel, Ben-my-Chree.