With the Steam Packet preparing to invest in a new flagship vessel, it is asking for passengers’ views on what facilities they’d like on board.

The company is due to replace the Ben-my-Chree as its flagship within the next two to three years with the Ben being retained as a third back-up vessel and to be used in busy periods such as TT fortnight.

A new vessel will be built to a ’Heysham Max’ specification, that being the maximum sized vessel that can dock at Heysham port, 142m long and 25m wide. This is part of the new sea services agreement signed off by Tynwald earlier this year following the nationalisation of the Steam Packet as an arms length company.

Island Global Research has been commissioned to carry out a survey which should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete and focuses on on-board facility preferences.

The company wants people to provide them with information such as how often they travel to and from the island using the ferry service and where to, eg Liverpool or Heysham and why they choose to sail with the company or not.

The survey asks what most influences passengers’ reasons for choosing to sail or fly including the price, speed, timetable, convenience of the ports, luggage fees, travelling with vehicles or pets and others.

Respondents are also asked if they usually book standard seating or if they would be likely to book cabins or lounge seats to and from Heysham and what they would like to improve about their on-board experience.

The Steam Packet has put forward suggestions for passengers including more charging points, more tables, a quiet lounge and a cinema - currently only the Manannan has one - among other suggestions and an opportunity for respondents to make their own suggestions.

Chief executive Mark Woodward said: ’As a company which plays an integral role in the Manx community and promoting tourism in the Isle of Man, we naturally welcome comments from all members of the public as we plan which on-board facilities and services should be prioritised when we introduce a new vessel.

’The new vessel will serve us in many ways and there are many considerations and compromises which need to be factored in throughout the process.

’At this stage, one of our top priorities is ensuring the new vessel meets the needs of both foot and vehicle passengers, in addition to the freight services operated daily to and from the island.’

Mr Woodward said that the company hopes that it will be able to design a vessel that meets the needs and wants of passengers.

The survey can be found at https://survey.islandglobalresearch.com/s3/Steam-Packet-Company-Ferry-Survey.