Minister discusses recent grounding of Manxman
The Department of Infrastructure has admitted it is in breach of the Sea Services Agreement but says harbour depth requirements set out in the document ‘have never been achieved.’
It follows the grounding of the Steam Packet’s Manxman vessel at the start of March which became stuck due to a build-up of mud; that was said to have been caused by a low spring tide and high air pressure.
In Tynwald (18 March) Minister Michelle Haywood said maintenance dredging has been completed and will remain ongoing throughout the year.
A capital dredging programme has not been commissioned.
She also went as far as to question the qualifications of the person who set the depth requirements:
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