She brought with her high charter fees and operation costs; and endangered the career of the Lady of Mann (II), the latter being given a much needed lifeline when a freak wave in the River Mersey encountered by the SeaCat Isle of Man twisted the ship's bow and tore off the water-tight visor.

In May 2009, it was reported in the press[citation needed] that the company is continuing to review the future of the veteran fastcraft in the light of the increased capacity offered by Manannan and poor passenger numbers on the seasonal Belfast and Dublin routes.

On 9 July 2009, an article was published on the Isle of Man Today website[citation needed] stating that Manx ministers were pleading with the Steam Packet Company after they confirmed they were reviewing the future of Snaefell and the services to Belfast and Dublin.

This has to be balanced against the fact that the Steam Packet Company previously requested, and was granted, an extension to its User Agreement with the Manx Government.

Any decision to cease operations to Ireland would therefore either nullify the Agreement or require significant non-performance payments from the Steam Packet.

In January 2011, the Steam Packet company released a statement stating that Snaefell was no longer part of the operational fleet and would not return to service for the 2011 season.

[4] In 2024, the vessel is chartered to African Marocco Link (AML), to operate between Algeciras and Tanger Med.