Steam Packet sailings have resumed after the island was battered by Storm Amy.

But due to continuing high winds, Sunday morning’s service to Heysham sailed to Liverpool instead.

The Steam Packet said on Saturday night that Storm Amy’s winds were exceeding safe harbour limits at Heysham, and forecasts suggested that this might continue well into Sunday.

While Manannan and Ben-my-Chree have been sheltering from the storm in Douglas Harbour, Manxman was not able to return from Heysham after the afternoon sailing on Friday.

But as winds abated, Manxman was able to depart the Lancashire port at 1.35am on Sunday, arriving in Douglas at 5.50am.

With a a high risk of not being able to get back into the port around lunchtime on Sunday, the morning return sailing was switched to Liverpool.

Due to a combination of wind direction and more room for manoeuvre, the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool was affected as severely by the wind conditions.

Manxman departed at 7.56am.

The Steam Packet liaised with the relevant authorities in order to arrange for limited essential freight to be carried to Liverpool, in line with planning restrictions.

With wind speeds forecast to reduce over the course of Sunday afternoon sailings returned to normal schedules, with no impact on Manannan’s 3pm departure to Liverpool, or its return.

Consideration was given to the use of Ben-my-Chree in freight-only mode, if required.

Heysham sailings resume with a 7.30pm departure from Douglas on Sunday evening.