Manx flagship's decade of service

Ben-My-Chree underwent a �2m overhaul four years ago

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's flagship Ben-my-Chree has just completed its first decade of service in the Irish Sea.

Built by Van Der Giessen de Noord in Rotterdam, at a cost of �24m, the ship first sailed into Manx waters on Tynwald Day 1998.

Since then it has completed 14,000 sailings and the Steam Packet says it has an almost 100% reliability record.

Ben-my-Chree was completely overhauled four years ago at a cost of �2m.

Mark Woodward, chief executive of Steam Packet, said: "The Ben is, without question, the most reliable ship ever used by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company in its 178-year history.

"She has also been the most intensively used vessel in our history and has carried more than two million passengers in the last decade.

"In fact, she has already completed more trips than many of the former Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessels which were twice as old as the Ben is now."

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