If you could ask the next Government to do one thing to improve connectivity, what would it be?

This morning I took up the kind offer by Brian Thompson MD of Isle of Man Steam Packet to meet and raise some of the concerns I’ve been hearing about regarding connectivity and the cost of getting people and goods on and off the Island.

He’s previously visited our family farm to discuss the cost pressures on the agricultural sector so it was nice to catch up again.

The question I put to Brian at the start was a simple one:

If you could ask the next Government to do one thing to improve connectivity, what would it be?

The answer was Douglas Harbour — its infrastructure, dredging and capacity.

That was particularly interesting given the current problems with Manxman’s bearings. If material in Douglas Harbour, including rocks and stones, may be contributing to the wear, we need to look at the harbour itself rather than simply continuing to deal with the consequences.

I also raised food security and the cost of freight. If freight capacity is limited, what should take priority? It’s worth noting that whilst the IOMSP control the capacity the hauliers have the final say on what is loaded first.

We discussed road transport equivalency, which farmers have been asking for, and whether preferential freight rates could be used for essential materials. I want to understand what this would actually cost and what economic benefits it could bring to certain sectors and the consequences this would have.

I also asked about the impact on sea routes from offshore wind farms. The Steam Packet has submitted evidence to the Mooir Vannin process, so I asked whether they are satisfied that the proposals adequately protect ferry routes and navigational safety. This is something we need to get right before decisions are made.

Another issue discussed was the Sea Services Agreement. If we’re going to have a new agreement, which is currently under discussion, setting out what the Island expects from its lifeline service, we also need to ensure that the DOI maintains the apparatus required - the link span for example.

We also discussed the replacement of the fast craft. The current preference is for a more conventional vessel with some freight capacity. That raises an obvious question about how we maintain a useful day-trip service for people travelling to Liverpool.

There were some more practical questions too, including why alcohol can’t currently be sold onboard while the vessel is in Manx territorial waters - a quick win in terms of legislative processes.

There was a lot covered in the meeting, but my main takeaway was that connectivity isn’t just about buying another ship.

It’s about the harbour, the vessels, freight, passenger experience, reliability and the decisions we make now about future developments.

Those are issues I want to keep asking about during this campaign.

Pictures - for the history buffs - SS Viking built in 1905. The list of vessels at the time speaks volumes.