THE new catamaran to link Liverpool with the Isle of Man was named by operators Steam Packet yesterday.
She will be known as Manannan, after the Celtic god of the sea and protector of the Isle of Man. The name was chosen in a competition on the chief executive’s blog.
The 96-metre vessel, currently having a full refit in Portsmouth, was bought in Tasmania and made the 12,000-mile trip to the UK in July.
She will enter service next year and will replace Viking on the Liverpool to Douglas sailings.
Manannan will be the largest vessel of her type in the Irish Sea. Steam Packet says she will “significantly enhance the company’s service” with a faster cruising speed, greater capacity, and more comfort.
Chief executive Mark Woodward said: “We felt the winning suggestion for the name epitomised the status of the new vessel within our fleet.”
