Manannan will make her final voyage for 2018 this Sunday. 

The fastcraft will then be mooored in Douglas harbour before undergoing its annual overhaul ahead of services resuming in March. 

The Ben-my-Chree will continue to operate throughout the season, including daily sailings to Heysham and weekend services to Birkenhead.

During her season Manannan has:

• Operated 773 sailings, travelling just under 55,000 nautical miles
• Maintained a 100 per cent technical reliability record
• Operated at 98.9 per cent reliability – with only four return trips cancelled due to weather
• Had her main engines accumulate approximately 9,300 running hours.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward explains: "Once again Manannan has had a great reliability record this season and plays an invaluable role in the company’s day to day operation.

"We constantly look for ways to improve services and respond to unforeseen circumstances so the decision to keep her here until after the busy Christmas period will provide an extra degree of support for our vital sea links at an important time of the year."