Photographs © John H. Luxton 2007

The BEN-MY-CHREE is seen arriving at Birkenhead Twelve Quays on Sunday March 18, the final weekend arrival of her scheduled weekend Birkenhead sailings that commenced on Saturday March 03, 2007. The sailings providing a replacement Merseyside weekend service following the withdrawal from service of SEA EXPRESS I following collision damage. SUPERSEACAT TWO is scheduled to take up the Liverpool service from Friday March 22, 2007.

With high winds prevailing the BEN-MY-CHREE summoned tug THORNGARTH to assist as she went alongside Twelve Quays south and a mixture of sunshine and sleet / hail squalls. The BEN-MY-CHREE arrived off the berth around 12:12 and was not secure alongside for a good 20 minutes or so.

Given the successful operation of the BEN-MY-CHREE from Twelve Quays one must wonder if this is the shape of the future for the winter service to Merseyside from Douglas? Perhaps all that is required now is to operate the winter Saturday evening service from Douglas to Birkenhead to provide facilities for the Merseyside day trippers from the Island?