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Ben-my-Chree out of service after collision

The Ben-my-Chree won’t be sailing until this evening at the earliest.

She’s undergone emergency repairs overnight after colliding with one of the berthing fenders in Douglas harbour yesterday evening.

Steam Packet Chief Executive Mark Woodward says it’s hoped the damage will be repaired by the end of the day.

No injuries were reported but both the vessel and fender were damaged by the collision and the Ben was later moved to the Douglas Bay side of Victoria Pier.

Those booked to travel on the Ben-my-Chree today will be transferred to the scheduled Manannan sailings to and from Liverpool and subsequently taken to Heysham.

Manannan operated the Ben’s scheduled Heysham sailing last night.

An internal investigation’s been launched into the incident and the Steam Packet is working with Department of Infrastructure chiefs to assess the damage.

Mr Woodward says while it’s too early to say how long it will take to repair, it’s not expected to impact on the Ben’s schedule during TT fortnight.

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