The island’s ferries need modernising to reach the level of other operators in the British Isles.

After it was announced the Steam Packet would - subject to Tynwald approval, spend over £70m on two new boats by 2026 - we sought the views of island residents.

’The boats are a bit dated and could do with modernisation’, said George Shaw, 44, from Douglas.

He told the Examiner he uses the Steam Packet ’six to 10 times a year’ and enjoys the availability of the year round service it offers.

However, George said that in comparison to Brittany Ferries, which he also uses and described as ’fantastic’, the island’s boats need a bit of TLC.

His view on modernisation was shared by Laura Marchena, who lives in Onchan and her friend Shona Crawford, who lives in Douglas.

Shona said she likes the ’fantastic’ service offered by the Steam Packet but said the boats ’definitely need updating’ and said the service on Stena Line is ’just a better experience’.

Laura agreed but added that she is happy to see the Ben-my-Chree retained as a third vessel.

She said: ’We both work in retail so we depend on deliveries being on time and it is such a pain if the boat doesn’t go on time so it would be good to have a third one available just in case.’

Gill and Alan Rushton from Ballasalla said they go on the boats ’a few times a year’.

Alan, who worked in harbour police for many years said that ’people don’t realise the importance of the boats and what they bring to the island’ including food, medicines and vital supplies for the hospital. But he agreed that the Ben-my-Chree ’definitely’ needs replacing.

Alan said he would like to see either a ’freight only boat’ or ’two ro-pax’ ships that could operate all year round.

Gill said that she would favour greater comfort on the boat and suggested the Ben-my-Chree should be used for Ireland to provide a better service once it becomes the third vessel.

Stuart Naisbitt, 38 and Rachael Carney, 28, both from Foxdale, both said they supported the idea of buying new boats, but Stuart had reservations over if it would be taxpayers who end up meeting the £70m-plus costs.

He added: ’I used to travel a lot by boat to Liverpool, but I fly more now, but if it was cheaper to take the car then I’d certainly be more willing to travel on the ferry.’

Rachael agreed and said that the service for foot passengers is ’not great’ and the service had been ’unreliable’ for her in the past, adding she would like to see a more comfortable set-up for both vessels.

The final question put to our readers was what the name for the replacement Ben-my-Chree should be?

This proved to be the hardest question to answer, all wanted to see a Manx name, however some wanted to see a new name while others wanted to see a return of some old favourites.

Shona suggested the name King Orry II, Gill suggested Snaefell, Alan suggested Illiam Dhone and Rachael said she’d like to see a ’new and modern’ name.

â?¢ What would you call the new Steam Packet boat? Email your suggestions to [email protected]