Gozo ferry mistaken in having departed empty from Cirkewwa

The Gozo Channel company has denied claims reported in The Times that one of its vessels, the M/V Gaudos, had been ordered back to Cirkewwa midway through the channel so that it picks him up.

In a statement, the company said that the duty manager had received a call from the Gozo minister, Anton Refalo, complaining that the ferry had lefty passengers stranded.

"At no point did he order, or in any way ask, for the ferry to go back and pick him or other passengers from Cirkewwa," the company said.

The Gaudos left Mgarr on Sunday night at 8pm as an extra trip that would have been its last to Cirkewwa, where it was later expected to dock at Dock 3 for the night at the Mgarr port.

"Instead of checking whether there were any cars or passengers waiting to board the ferry, the ferry started its trip back to Mgarr. As a consequence, a number of passengers were left stranded in Cirkewwa. It's company policy that when there are passengers waiting to board, the ferry has to pick them up and make its trip back to the Mgarr terminal to unload them, even if it's the ferry's last trip before docking," the company said.

Gozo Channel said that after Refalo called the duty manager, the latter decided it was the company's mistake that the ferry had departed so he ordered the ferry to go back to load the passengers and cars that had accumulated by that time.

"The order to the captain was given by the duty manager. Gozo Channel regrets the incident and will continue to make sure that passengers are given the best possible service."

On his part, Anton Refalo - who yesterday night had just flown in from abroad - insisted he did not order the ferry back but called Gozo Channel officials to complain about the absurd situation, insisting it was not right to leave harbour empty.

In a statement, shadow Gozo minister Giovanna Debono described the incident as an abuse of power, saying that whilst the former administration had taken action against similar abuses, the Labour government was tolerant of such actions. "The Gozo minister is trying to create some story to find himself a scapegoat. It is clear Refalo acted incorrectly by calling back the ferry and making a scene in front other passengers. His actions are deplorable and it's the prime minister who should be answering for this abusive attitude."