A marine engineering specialist is to be engaged to carry out studies of two possible new cruise berth locations at Douglas harbour.

Sediment and navigation studies are required for the government’s preferred option of a berth on the outer face of Victoria Pier that could take a 240m-long cruise ship.

But the specialist will also look at the feasibility of a deep water berth created by constructing a new breakwater to the east of Alexandra Pier at a cost of about £40m.

This option, which is championed by the Isle of Man Shipping Association, would be designed to cater for mega cruise ships of up to 362m in length.

Tynwald last year approved in principle an £11m plan to create a new cruise berth on the outer side of the Victoria Pier as part of a £80m, three-year harbours strategy.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said he would not rule out the investment in the more ambitious larger facility if the cruise business takes off.

His department’s ports divisions has issued a ’quick quote’ request to engage a qualified and experienced maritime civil engineering consultant to carry out both a sediment and navigation study for the two possible berth locations.

The existing Victoria Pier forms the northern breakwater arm of Douglas harbour and was opened in 1872.

A significant volume of dredging would be needed for a new cruise berth on the outer side.

Seabed levels currently range from eight metres at the eastern end of the pier to about two metres at the western end.

The design for the cruise berth requires a dredge level of 9.5 metres.

Turning to the possible deep water berth to the outside of Alexandra Pier, this would be formed by a new breakwater with a rocked face to the seaward side and linked to the port with a bridging structure.

The studies will establish what the predicted siltation depths would be and whether ships can safely manoeuvre on and off.

The quick quote request notes in relation to the mega cruise ship berth: ’The vessels are expected to berth port-side-to and be able to stop before colliding with the bridging structures when approaching.’

The studies will also look at the possible effects of wind, waves and tide on the vessels during the cruise season.

Giving evidence to a Tynwald committee looking at the harbours strategy, Cabinet Office executive director Sheila Lowe was asked if investing in a ’limited and possibly obsolete’ facility might not be the best line of approach.

’It’s a given you go for the biggest you can afford, or you would develop a deep water berth that could may be extended at a later date,’ suggested Marlene Masker MLC.

Mrs Lowe said there was a lot more work to do before anyone could make a final decision.

She said: ’You don’t want to invest in something that might be obsolete in 10 years but there again you don’t want to invest in something that perhaps isn’t for the market we are looking at.’