Steam Packet vessel to head to Scotland
The Ben-My-Chree is due to arrive in Scotland later this week with a view to being chartered by ferry operator CalMac.
The vessel will conduct berthing trials on the route linking the Isle of Arran and Troon.
The former flagship has been used as a back-up by the Steam Packet since the Manxman came into service last year.
CalMac interim chief executive Duncan Mackison told the BBC: "We are being proactive in identifying options to add resilience and capacity to the network during what will continue to be a challenging winter.
"This vessel is larger than those currently serving Arran and would add capacity to that service whilst freeing up a vessel to move elsewhere.
"This is just a trial, and a full charter will be subject to agreement from multiple parties. Should this be reached, we will review and publish a plan on wider vessel deployment."
Currently, the Sea Services Agreement requires the ferry operator to keep the Ben-my-Chree, which has been the company's flagship vessel for the past 25 years, as back-up until the agreement expires in 2045.
Manx Radio has contacted the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for comment.
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