The Steam Packet’s fast craft Manannan will now not come into service until later in the year.

The catamaran was due to begin its seasonal services on March 25, but this has now been delayed because of the ongoing border restrictions.

Daily Ben-my-Chree services to and from Heysham will continue, with Manannan and freight ship MS Arrow due to cover the Ben’s overhaul period scheduled for mid-April.

All passengers booked on Manannan sailings up until May 25 inclusive will be contacted and offered a full refund or a transfer to Heysham services as appropriate.

Sailings beyond then will continue to be monitored and may also be subject to change, depending on government travel restrictions. All affected passengers will be given advance notice of schedule changes.