Jet ski Romeo Dale McLaughlan is heading home for Christmas.
Self-employed roofer Mr McLaughlan was among six foot passengers who boarded this morning’s Ben-my-Chree sailing to Heysham.
And our photographer Dave Kneale was there to see him leave.
Mr McLaughlan was released from Isle of Man Prison this morning after serving just under half of his four week prison term for breaching the island’s Covid entry regulations.
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He made headlines worldwide after he travelled from Scotland to the Isle of Man by jet ski to see his girlfriend Jessica Radcliffe.
He arrived at the Sea Terminal just after 8am this morning, escorted to the departure gate by a member of the prison staff.
He was carrying his backpack which he had taken on his treacherous jet ski journey across the Irish Sea on Friday December 11.
His girlfriend, who is self-isolating, had called for her lover to be released from prison for Christmas. But her hopes for them to be reunited have been dashed.
The court heard that Mr McLaughlan, 28, had bought the jet ski the day before his crossing, He had then towed it 70 miles from his home in Irvine, North Ayrshire to a beach on the Isle of Whithorn from where he set off on his jet ski at 8am.
He had expected the 25-mile trip to take 40 minutes but due to bad weather it took him four and a half hours.
There was just 10 minutes of fuel left in the tank when he arrived in Ramsey harbour.
Mr McLaughlan then apparently walked the 15 miles to Jessica’s home in Douglas.
He had met her on his first trip to the island in September while here lawfully to carry out roofing work.
The pair went out to two Douglas nightspots the evening after he turned up at her door this month. He was arrested at her home in Anagh Coar the following day.
Mr McLaughlan had been granted an exemption certificate to work in the island between September 13 and October 2, the exemption issued in the economic interests of the island.
His girlfriend told iomtoday that her boyfriend had been due to return to the island on January 11 for more roofing work. That now seems unlikely.