More than 39,000 travelled by ferry during TT

The number of passengers travelling to the Isle of Man by ferry during the TT period rose 5% on the previous year, the operator has confirmed.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said 39,400 people came to the island on its vessels, the highest number since the centenary of the event in 2007, which attracted 47,000 visitors.

In addition to passenger services by the Manannan and Manxman, the government-owned ferry firm operated its reserve vessel Ben-my-Chree for freight during the period.

Managing director Brian Thomson said it was a "great result" for the firm and the wider island economy.

He said the firm had worked "closely with the organisers, teams, marshals and more to help make the event successful" and would continue to do so in future.

Last year the firm had carried 37,800 passengers during the period, which itself was the highest number since the event's centenary.

The firm previously said a rise in passengers had been enabled by the increased capacity of the Manxman, which stands at 948 passenger, which was 300 more than the previous flagship vessel the Ben-my-Chree could carry.

The firm's schedule for the event, which this year has ran from 31 May to 7 June, continues until 12 June to return visitors home.

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