A lot of marshals were booked on the Liverpool ferry and had to go. It would have been good if it could, like the Heysham one, have been delayed a little. However, the weather was certainly deteriorating.
On the subject of marshals, by the way, one of the reasons some places may seem to have lots is that a proportion of these are "newbies" not ready to go on the road, and therefore just able to do certain less risky tasks.. from where you're standing you can't tell that.
Anyway, sad end to a mixed Manx, but some superb riding and some great stories.