Car almost plunges into the sea as Gozo Channel ramp dislodges

A car disembarking from the Gozo Channel ferry this morning almost landed in the sea after a rope holding the vessel in place snapped and the ramp dislodgedfrom its position.

The car was being driven out of the ferry at Cirkewwa around 7.30am.

“One of the ropes holding the ferry in place snapped, and as a result the ship moved back slightly. Drivers were on the ramp but nobody was injured. The workers had everything under control,” Gozo Channel chairman Joe Cordina said.

Witnesses claim that seconds after the vessel moved, Gozo Channel workers started to shift the ramp to prevent the car from plunging into the sea.

Cordina blamed the strong winds and undercurrents as a possible reason for the rope snapping, but refused not comment further until a report by the company's engineers is drawn up.

This would be made available to him in the coming days, he said.

The Gozo Channel service remains uninterrupted.