The government is reviewing its system to meet passengers and check landing forms at the Sea Terminal.

A passenger who returned to the island on the ferry claims to have not been met by any members of staff to look at their documents and was able to walk out of the terminal unchecked.

The traveller, who wished to remain anonymous, had been away to the UK staying within the Common Travel Area and was coming back to the island from Heysham on the early morning sailing on November 9.

As a foot passenger, they and another traveller were offered a seat on the courtesy bus to be driven off the boat.

They then got off the bus and walked through the arrivals lounge, expecting to be met by port staff.

The passenger said: ’When we got there, there was nobody about so we could have gone into any office or room, there was no police, no security, no nothing.

’They don’t usually let you get through that door until your landing form has been checked but there was nobody to ask, we looked around but there was nobody there.

’At that time of the morning there’s no booking staff there because the next boat isn’t until 8.45am back to Heysham, so for two hours there’s nobody about anyway from the Steam Packet.’

The resident had travelled via this route before and been asked for their landing form so they were aware of the usual process.

’I’ve come off it before as the first off and have had to be kept in line waiting for the people to come to the desk to check our forms,’ they added.

They felt this ’oversight’ could have been detrimental, saying: ’Major damage could have been caused and still could be if it’s not looked at.

turned back

’Especially when they’re stopping people and turning them back to Heysham because they haven’t been jabbed in the past two weeks before this. One man at the desk at two o’clock in the morning was trying to get onto the boat at Heysham and they refused him because he didn’t have the proof for the jabs basically.

’In England you can buy pieces of paper for £10 to prove you’ve had two jabs, there’s all sorts of things.

’If the people at our side are not fulfilling their duties then any discrepancy that’s going on over there can get through the system here and we’re vulnerable.’

A government spokesperson said in response: ’The Ports Access Team has established a well-practised system to assist arriving passengers to comply with the current regulations.

’We are grateful to the passenger concerned for bringing the matter to our attention and we will work with our partners in the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and port security to understand how this was able to happen.

’This review will help inform our operations going forward and to ensure everyone is met by a member of the ports access team.

’This process has already begun and any revised procedure that may be required will be in place very quickly.’

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