People are being invited to vote for the name of the new Steam Packet vessel.

The ship, which is due to arrive in the island in spring 2023, will take a traditional Steam Packet vessel name.

The company has shortlisted four potential names which are being considered:

They are Manxman, Mona’s Isle, Manx Maid or King Orry.

By shortlisting traditional names, the company has avoided a poll being hijacked by pranksters promoting a silly one.

Boaty McBoatface became the overwhelming choice in a public vote to name a £200m polar research ship in 2016.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said: ’We feel that a traditional Steam Packet Company name for the new vessel is an important detail and after much consideration on what we believe is most fitting, have selected four well recognised and historic names.

’We are interested in the opinions of members of the public and hope they take the time to express their views, all of which will be taken into consideration when making the final decision.’

There have been two Manxmans, the last of which was scrapped in 1982.

There have also been two Manx Maids. The last one was the Steam Packet’s first bespoke car ferry. She was retired in 1984.

The last King Orry - the fifth with that name - left the Steam Packet in 1998 and is now called Moby Love. She operates from Genoa, Italy.

Mona’s Isle is perhaps the obvious choice. She will probably be the company’s flagship in 2030, the year that will mark the company’s 200th anniversary.

The firm’s first ship was called the Mona’s Isle and the company was originally called the Mona’s Isle Company.

However, the last Mona’s Isle - the sixth vessel to bear the name - was far from successful.

The 1966 vessel began life as MV Free Enterprise II and was bought by the Steam Packet in 1985.

However, she had trouble docking in Douglas and the Steam Packet sold her the year afterwards.

She has now been abandoned as a wreck 22 miles south of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

To find out more about each of the shortlisted names, visit the Steam Packet blog: www.steam-packet.com/blog/whats-your-preference-for-the-name-of-our-new-vessel/

To select your favourite, head to: www.steam-packet.com/newvessel