HSC Manannan

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Hsc manannan.png
Manannan entering Douglas Harbour
Career
Name: 1998-2001: Incat 050
2001-2008: USS Joint Venture
2008-2008: Incat 050
2008-present: Manannan
Namesake: Manannán mac Lir
Owner: 2008-present: Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
Operator: 1998-1999: Transport Tasmania
1999-2000: Fast Cat Ferries
2000-2001: laid up
2001-2008: US Navy
2008-present:Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
Port of registry: Douglas,  Isle of Man
Route: DouglasLiverpool
Builder: Incat
Yard number: 050
Completed: 1998
Commissioned: 1998
Recommissioned: 2009
Renamed: 2009
Refit: 2001/2008
Identification: IMO number: 9176072
General characteristics
Class and type: 96 metre WPC
Type: High speed craft
Tonnage: 5,029
Length: 95.47 metres (313 ft 3 in)
Beam: 26.16 metres (85 ft 10 in)
Draft: 3.7 metres (12 ft 2 in)
Installed power: 4 x Caterpillar diesel engines
Speed: Over 40 knots (46 mph)
Capacity: Over 800 passengers
200 vehicles

HSC Manannan is a high-speed catamaran car ferry owned and operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. She arrived in Douglas on 11 May 2009 after a major refit in Portsmouth. She was renamed after Manannán mac Lir, the Celtic god of the sea, and made its maiden service voyage with the Steam Packet Company on Friday 22 May 2009 with the 07:30 sailing from Douglas to Liverpool.[1]

History

Early Years

Manannan was built as Incat 050 by Incat of Tasmania, Australia in 1998.

She operated for a short period as a commercial ferry for TT-Line under the name Devil Cat before being acquired by the US Navy and converted for military purpose.

US Naval service

She commissioned as Joint Venture in 2001, serving for five years with the US Military Forces.

She was handed back to Incat in early 2006 and underwent a refit and painting in the Express Ferries livery. She was planned to enter service with them as a car and passenger ferry, but this never materialised.

Manx service

On May 19, 2008, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company announced the purchase of the vessel for £20 million, and is planned to replace the existing fast craft Viking. The 96-metre (315 ft) wave piercing catamaran will be the largest vessel of its kind in the Irish Sea. Because of its most recent use, the Steam Packet Company says it has significantly fewer hours of service than a vessel of comparable age and will be ideally suited for the substantial refit proposed.

The purchase is a real step forward for the company and represents a significant investment. We have looked at a number of possible vessels and we believe we have found the craft that most ideally meets our requirements for a versatile, high capacity vessel which is capable of serving our passengers' expectations for increased comfort and reliability.
 
— Mark Woodward, CEO

The Manannan completed the 11,868 miles (19,100 km) mile voyage from Hobart to Portsmouth in 27 days. The refit cost around £3 million and was carried out by Burgess Marine. It consisted of a new aft accommodation module, a new stern door and a new sky lounge. An open day to view the vessel took place at each of the Company's ports as well as a renaming ceremony.

Current Service

Currently operating services from Douglas to Liverpool.

Sister ships

Manannan is one of six 96m catamarans built by Incat.

  • Highspeed 6
  • Bentago Express
  • Bencomo Express
  • Alboran
  • Bonanza Express

Photo gallery

References

External links