Fumes in catamaran vehicle bay

Following Alex Kuilboer's letter (The Sunday Times, August 10), Virtu Ferries Ltd would like to point out that there are large notices in the catamaran's garage (vehicle deck or bay) asking drivers not to start their engines before the ramp is lowered.

Our cabin crew also bring this to the attention of drivers who use our service. Unfortunately passengers do not always comply with regulations.

The vehicle is only accessible to drivers when the vessel berths, and unloading of vehicles takes a matter of minutes. Also, the vehicle deck is well ventilated to international safety standards in conformity with Classification Society rules. We would be much happier if drivers complied with on-board regulations. With regard to Mr Kuilboer's second point that his "number plate was taken note of by what seemed to be a group of five harbour/Customs officials", we cannot answer for Customs.

What we can state is that we have asked Customs a number of times to stop this practice, which incidentally is not carried out in any other Schengen Zone port. We have never received a satisfactory reply from Customs. Perhaps Mr Kuilboer's observation will prompt Customs to reply to the newspaper.