The Steam Packet is to undertake berthing trials in the Northern Irish port of Larne.

The fast craft Manannan (pictured) is to used as the company assesses the suitability of alternative ports ’to allow for flexible and robust contingency planning’.

Similar to the trials conducted at Holyhead in 2016.

Manannan will return to service on March 31.

After spending the winter in Manx waters, where nnual maintenance procedures were undertaken, the vessel is scheduled to sail to Merseyside on March 1 for dry docking and other specialist work before resuming daily services between Douglas and Liverpool.

The Steam Packet has previously operated sailings between Larne and Douglas during the TT festival, using the charter fast craft P&O Express.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said: ’Manannan has spent the winter in Manx waters, as she did last year, to enable us to respond quickly to any damage or mechanical issues experienced by Ben-my-Chree. Now it is time for Manannan to travel to Merseyside for her annual refurbishment before resuming services.

’As part of our contingency planning we are always looking at the suitability of alternative facilities, and this gives us an opportunity to conduct berthing trials at Larne without interrupting passenger service.’

Manannan’s daily sailings to Liverpool will resume on March 31, and April will see the start of sailings from Douglas to both Dublin and Belfast.