Tonight’s Steam Packet sailing from Douglas to Heysham has been cancelled.

The ferry company says that it has made the decision because of the weather, with winds predicted in excess of 50 knots.

A statement from the company reads: ’The company wishes to apologise to all of its passengers at this very busy time.

’Due to the heavy level of bookings we are unable to offer alternatives to all affected passengers in the next few days.

’Those passengers that are booked on the cancelled sailings will be offered "Priority Standby" status on sailings from Wednesday morning and we will do our utmost to get as many people and their vehicles on these sailings.

’The first available opportunity to add an additional sailing to our schedule will be late Thursday evening, estimated at around 11pm.

’This sailing will be available to book onto immediately for those passengers affected by this cancellation.’

The news couldn’t come at a worse time for the Steam Packet because it’s in the middle of the busiest week of the year - TT week.

Mark Woodward, the company’s chief executive, said: ’I would like to apologise to all our passengers but we have no alternative but to cancel these sailings given forecast conditions.

’We will do all we can to minimise the disruption to passengers and have scheduled an additional sailing, to Liverpool, at the first available opportunity given our extremely intensive schedule.’

Passengers will need to contact Isle of Man Steam Packet reservations on 01624 661661 to make alternative travel arrangements.

The government’s Department of Economic Development has expressed its sympathy to those 600 visitors who will be ’significantly inconvenienced’ by this and has offered advice and will provide assistance.

A spokesman said: ’In the first instance the department advises any visitors unfortunately affected by this cancellation to contact their accommodation provider to seek to extend their stay.

’The department has been advised that there is sufficient capacity across a combination of homestay registrations, Snoozebox and local hotel accommodation for any visitors affected by the cancellation.’

The department added that visitors wishing to find alternative accommodation due to weather or travel delays could find assistance from the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal or by calling 01624 686801.

Staff from the Welcome Centre and tourism team will be on hand in the Welcome Centre ready to assist.