DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN 54’08”50N 004’28”40W

Douglas is the capital of the Isle of Man and a bustling port that provides the main means on and off the island. Cruise ships, visiting tourists and goods all come ashore here, and with it’s marina, it is often the first port of call for visiting sailors too.

The island is a Crown dependency, but not part of the UK. It has its own parliament, the Tynwald, and its own administration. Over the years, this has allowed Man to develop some competitive advantages to the UK, notably in financial services, thanks to a low-tax regime.

In the past, this spurred a vigorous smuggling scene, with vast quantities of tax-free beer brewed on the island finding its way to the mainland. In the 18th Century, luxury goods from France also found Man a useful backdoor into Britain. Brewing is still big business, with