The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company will join other leading ferry operators in supporting National Ferry Fortnight 2015, a British Isles-wide initiative aimed at promoting travel by sea.

The annual campaign brings together ferry firms which operate from the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man to encourage more people to enjoy the comfort, relaxation and convenience of sailing.

For the Steam Packet Company, a long-standing supporter of National Ferry Fortnight, it is also a chance to promote the Isle of Man to potential visitors.

The Company has unveiled a special National Ferry Fortnight offer; with bookings for a car and two people on a midweek sailing made during the fortnight with the fare code DNFF, up to three people will be able to travel for free.

The offer is valid for bookings made online at www.steam-packet.com with the special fare code during National Ferry Fortnight, which runs from 2nd to 15th March.

The Steam Packet Company will also be highlighting the return of its ever-popular Kids Go Free summer offer and the recent reduction in children’s fares from ?17 to ?9, both aimed at encouraging families to travel to the Island by ferry.

National Ferry Fortnight attracts media coverage from UK national newspapers and travel magazines, and the Steam Packet Company will be ensuring the wonders of the Island are promoted whenever possible. The Company has already committed more than ?500,000 in marketing its Isle of Man routes from Liverpool, Heysham, Belfast, Dublin and Birkenhead during 2015.

The theme of National Ferry Fortnight 2015 is ‘Ferry Freedom’, so the focus will be on why choosing to go by sea is the best way to start your holiday, including the fact that there are no luggage fees and that you can get up and stretch your legs while travelling instead of being squeezed into a tiny seat. The fortnight is also an opportunity to promote the wide choice of on board facilities and seating, remind passengers they can travel with their pet and, of course, highlight the fact travellers can bring their own transport on the ferry, whether it’s a car, motorhome, motorcycle or bicycle.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘National Ferry Fortnight is a great opportunity to remind people of the comfort and convenience of travelling by sea, and what a relaxing way to start and finish your holiday it is.

‘It is also a great opportunity to talk about the excellent services and on-board facilities we provide, as well as telling more and more people what a wonderful destination the Isle of Man is.

‘We are very proud of our Island home and take every chance we have to talk about it. During National Ferry Fortnight we will be showing off what the Island has to offer visitors and encouraging more people to come here with some very special fares and reduced costs for family travel.’