Updated: Truck driver blocks Gozo Channel ferry
The driver of a truck carrying two large slabs which was refused boarding on the Gozo Channel ferry from Mgarr this morning placed his vehicle partly on the ship's ramp to block the entrance keeping cars from boarding the vessel.
The MV Malita, which was scheduled to leave at 9.45 a.m. was still at Mgarr at 10.30 a.m. but the police had by then forced the truck driver to move and more cars were boarding as the driver continued to argue with the police.
The police said the driver is being arraigned at the Gozo Courts this evening.
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125 Comments
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D Grima
Apr 14th 2012, 20:48
Trucks are refused boarding very frequently, even in the most calm seas for the simple reason that both hoistable decks are lowered to cater for the heavy traffic crossing between the two islands. This is unfair when loads of cars arrive after the truck and are boarded, while the truck have to wait for hours without even knowing if the next one will board him. GC should update the timetable with detailed information stating which trips will not load heavy vehicles, since the Sa Maison trip (one daily) is not enough for the heavy vehicles crossing to deliver goods between the islands.
Mark Vella
Apr 14th 2012, 19:49
I wonder how those slabs have been secured only with two ropes..... don't think those cables are made to sustain that kind of weight.
shara Gauci
Apr 14th 2012, 19:49
@Charles Sammut
keystone kops of Malta are strong with the weak and weak with the strong!!
What would you have sad if you would have seen the photos of this man with hand cuffs on??
I am sure that you would have sad that it is police brutality! It is not a mater if he is Gozitan or Maltese,
No one can just take justice with his own hands.. TO MAKE MY SELF CLEAR, IF I WAS A POLICE OFFICER I WOULD HAVE HANDCUFFED HIM ASSAP.
Charles Sammut
Apr 15th 2012, 02:45
...so therefore you agree with me....
George Brincat
Apr 14th 2012, 19:45
perhaps gc might well investigate who was the captain that refused boarding. might shed loads of light.....
shara Gauci
Apr 14th 2012, 19:22
If he was ordered from the police to remove the truck and he refused. yes for sure he would end up in court!!
So what did he pretend? If he had a valid motive he should have taken them to the proper channels not taking the law in with own hands! I think that the police in this case where to much diplomatic with this gentleman.
john vernon
Apr 14th 2012, 19:21
Probably shouldnt have been on the road either, but who worries this is Malta
James Dewar
Apr 14th 2012, 19:15
@ Leo Attard: Leo, Just glad you're not running the Police Force!! What a gross over-reaction to the incident! Why advocate using force on a non violent "offender"??
william cauchi
Apr 14th 2012, 18:31
Just a look at those thin straps convinced me that they wouldn't have stopped those enormous multi-ton stones from toppling over in rough seas such as to-day's.
In normal calm weather there wouldn't have been any problem.
A couple of winters ago, I was crossing over on a stormy day. Everything seemed safe and OK, but then a very high freak wave hit the boat and it really keened over.
Just imagine the result if this happened today. Better safe than sorry. The security officer was perfectly right in his decision.
Mrs Joana Pura
Apr 14th 2012, 18:30
With all the respect in a democratic country the Police is an authority who is responsible for the safety of all the citizens. If a member of the Police force says "no" you pull by the left and ask why you do not refuse like a donkey and you block the rest of the passengers. As a matter of fact a ship goes every 45 min. So if there is a problem till the next one things will be cleared out.
But in Malta there is a total disrespect for the law and order. Episodes like this one are frequent on the road, involving bus drivers and any other drivers. Sad.
Joseph Borg
Apr 14th 2012, 18:28
kulhadd the judge and the jury hawn! Ma nafx kif l paramount pictures ma jifthux sede hawn malta ghax biex nibnu storja l ewwel niehdu!
Jiena mkien fl artikolu ma nista nsib jekk id driver ghadux tort jew ragun (rigward il merkanzija)
u btw kemm jitellaw malajr il qorti n nies??? min mindu l hawn? anqas murder ghax usually l ghada jtellawhom u dan alla jbierek fi zmien ftit sighat kien il qorti!
P. Ciantar
Apr 14th 2012, 18:26
was this man arrested or gozitans do whatever they want
John Dee
Apr 14th 2012, 18:07
A recent report from Ramona Depares refers to the "moron gene ". A very astute lady.
Attard Joe
Apr 14th 2012, 17:43
Lewwel araw il fatti kif inhuma,qabel ma tparlaw zejjed! Tparlaw tafu kieku !!! Trid tqis li dan kien fuq xoghlu u ma kien jaghmel xejn hazin u mhux htija tieghu jekk zamm il kju ghax ma kellux ghazla ohra. Haga ohra TRAKKIJIET OHRA ABIJOM !!! Taraw hafna films intom hahaha gejin bil handcuffed u s sommom ta flus! Haga ohra tghallmu iktbu sew mhux "instead of a lot of paroli" jekk ma tafux kif ,tiktbu XEJN mal ewwel!!!!!
Jos Vella
Apr 14th 2012, 18:29
Joe, il-bahar kien wisq imqalleb biex jitghabba t-trakk. il-gozo channel mhux ser tidhol f'responsabbilta' bhal dik; il-blat seta jinqata mil-irbit li kellu u jaqa fuq karozzi ohrajn jew jghaffeg lil xi hadd. Imbghad x'kien ser jigri? Ma nahsibx li inti kont ser tkun kuntent u mohhok mistrieh li kieku l-karozza tieghek kellha tkun ipparkjata fejn zewg blatiet bhal dawk. X'tahseb?
Attard Joe
Apr 14th 2012, 20:00
Veru,imma mela alfejn trakkijiet ohra thallew?!
Giovanni Rizzo
Apr 14th 2012, 17:18
THE SEA WAS QUITE ROUGH THIS MORNING AND PERHAPS STRAPS WERE NOT THAT SAFE TO HOLD SUCH BIG STONES.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.
Carmel Xuereb
Apr 14th 2012, 17:12
Ara vera dawn ta' hawn taht kapaci jaghmlu l-ligijiet, m'ghandnix bzonn il-parlament izjed. Issa fuq dan l-imbierek trakk, l-ewwel nett ghadna ma nfux jekk dan it-trakk hux ta' xi hadd Malti jew Ghawdxi, t-tieni ma nafux ghala ma thalliex jitla fuq il-vapur, ghal liema raguni, jekk minhabba li kien il-maltemp u kien hemmil-biza li jinqala xi ncident b'dawk il-blatiet hemm raguni imma jekk biex jghabbi izjed karozzi u jahalli lil dan it-trakk l-art le dik mhix raguni valid, ghax kullhadd ikun irid imur fid-destinazzjoni tieghu malajr kemm jista jkun. Veru li tal-GC iqabbzu lil xi hadd habib li m'gahndux ikun u ghalhekk isir hafna tgergir. Naqbel li dan tat-trakk ma ghamilx sewwa li mblokka ir-rampa tal-vapur, imma jiena cert li kieku ma ghamilx hekk u thalla l-art u mar jipprotest ma kienx ha jiehu xi premju lanqas ghax ghall-iskuzi warbilhom lil dawn tal-GC, sara qishol l-allat gewwa Ghawdex ghax ghandhom il-backing tal-kbarat.
Gordon John Grech
Apr 14th 2012, 17:15
Well said!
D Grima
Apr 14th 2012, 17:19
Naqbel mieghek mija fil-mija. Kulhadd tajjeb biex jiggudika, manetti, habs u jehdulu l-licenzja, bal bla bla, meta dan hu kaz ta' diskriminazzjoni u nuqqas ta' organizzazzjoni minn naha tal-GC.
Samuel Ramage
Apr 14th 2012, 16:52
Ithink that the load is not safe to travel on board a ship being tighed down by retaing straps is should have been tighted down with chains.
Dennis Zammit
Apr 14th 2012, 17:13
Especially on a day with the sea so rough.
Would the driver be ready to compensate any vehicles damaged by his load? Or worse, possible injuries to other drivers?
Gordon John Grech
Apr 14th 2012, 17:14
All this talk about 'elf and safety is bs. These loads have been going on to Malta for over a year now. Sometimes the slabs were three not two. They have to be exported to be reworked an then to adorn the parliament facade in Valletta. This is not a question of safety here, it is a question of GC service, so I appeal to all Maltese and foreigners that do not live the situation everyday commenting here to refrain from saying stupidities as they do not know the situation.
Mr mario aquilina
Apr 14th 2012, 16:30
This is what happens quite often on the streets of France, and the French truck drivers achieve most of what they want by bringing the country to a stand still.
This is what we need on this crapy island, instead of a lot of paroli fil vojt bejnietna hu qatt ma nasluq imkien.
Mr A Bonello
Apr 14th 2012, 17:37
this is not a crappy island!!!!!!!!!!if you don't like it here you are more then free to leave.go and live in another country and let's see how long you will last there!
Mr mario aquilina
Apr 14th 2012, 19:09
Mr.Bonello, I've been there, bought the T shirt.
I've been abroad more days than you had hot dinners, and I know crap when I see one. I come and go as I please, and I do not need yours or the EU permission to do so.
A Camilleri
Apr 14th 2012, 15:58
my question is was his load safe to go on board the vessel?health and safety for other passengers comes first and not risk it for just an unsafe load.
fredu debono
Apr 14th 2012, 15:44
Nisperaw li xi hadd jghidilna ghaliex lit-truck ma thalliex jitla.
Ryan Gauchi
Apr 14th 2012, 15:42
There was no reason to stop him from entering the gozo channel. He had every right to enter with his truck as there was nothing wrong with it.
M. Cauchi
Apr 14th 2012, 16:42
the weight maybe? just saying.
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Apr 14th 2012, 16:58
@ M. Cauchi taf kemm jitaghbew affarijiet itqal min dawk iz zewg blokok gebel fuq il vapur t ghawdex, biex tiehu idea ta x qed najd mur IL PIETA min fejn il vapur jaghbi truckijiet sahansitra ta cement li jiznu 5X + ta dak li kien qed igorr dal povru xufier.
Vince Cachia
Apr 14th 2012, 17:02
Yes and how there was a reason to stop the driver from sailing on a passenger ferry trip. He should have boarded the Sa Maison ferry for heavy cargoes. That was the reason apart from his cargo was unsafely secured!!!
Mr leo attard
Apr 14th 2012, 15:38
@angelo vassallo --- dont imagine tourists missing their flight, imagine the rough seas and thos blocks sliding off and landing on the tourists, or the cars...
Mr leo attard
Apr 14th 2012, 15:33
this is an ONLY IN MALTA episode -- you mean to tell me the police argued aith the driver for 45 minutes? I would have immediately handcuffed him, sent him off to jail and forcefully take the keys and move the truck? There is no mention of arrests ---- then in gozo i heard a story of a driver making way for an ambulance at the victoria roundabout and because of the construction going on the driver had to edge into a one way street --- he got a ticket! come on, there was an ambulance! instead of issuing tickets why didnt the warden take immediate control of the situation to let the ambulance pass , a possible matter of life and death....
David Delmar
Apr 14th 2012, 16:56
this is an ONLY IN MALTA episode -- you mean to tell me the police argued aith the driver for 45 minutes? I would have immediately handcuffed him, sent him off to jail and forcefully take the keys and move the truck?
Wow,what a democratic mind you've got! We are not living in some dictatorial country,we are in Malta and every citizen has got rights.Never should we be in favour of someone using force.Force should only be used as a last resource dear Mr Attard!
Mr leo attard
Apr 15th 2012, 20:12
and what about the rights of the people who had to go to malta? how many of the passengers suffered or missed appointments or whatever because of this driver's arrogance? what if there was an ambulance with a sick passenger?...I am not saying they should have killed him! But it was obvious that it was the result of the driver's arrogance, temporary insanity or whatever. but quick action had to be taken. ...I believe in people's rights, Mr delmar, but it is a fact that bleeding heart liberalism doesn't promote a disciplined society.... so, mr delmar, be reasonable -- when i said 'immediately' i meant after giving him a chance to remove the truck --- not 45 minutes later!
mike Dobson
Apr 14th 2012, 15:20
I have got a feeling that this driver will be looking for another job on Monday, not necessarily as a driver but more like stewart's job on the ferry(no chance of that) he is now made hinself famous for a 15 mins of fame, and will be balck listed by all the employers on the islands.
James Dewar
Apr 14th 2012, 15:15
It seems that Health and Safety issues are also being ignored by the Police in Malta. The officers stance and proximity to the "offender" affords him little scope for defensive action should the man become violent and places him at risk of being kicked or headbutted. Maybe just that one or other was hard of hearing!
James Dewar
Apr 14th 2012, 15:08
@ Charles Sammut: You have been watching too many movies! On the ground? Arms handcuffed behind his back? I think not for a protest such as this, obstructive though he may have been. Had your course of action been taken by Police there would not have been enough room in these columns for the howls of "Police brutality". It is not clear why he was not allowed to board, maybe his protest was justified? Until we know the circumstances we shouldn't really pass judgement.
Kevin Camilleri
Apr 14th 2012, 15:05
Why wasn't the driver given 5 minutes chance by the captain to remove his truck from the ramp, and if the driver did not remove it, the captain would have reversed out of the ship? I bet that John Wayne would have removed his horse... as I cannot think of any similar horse that can swim!
Joseph Grech Attard
Apr 14th 2012, 14:51
@Tony Borg Borg
Niftakar ukoll fis-sittinijiet meta biex ikollok telefon ridt thallas 50 Lira - ta' dak iz-zmien ta', meta lanqas paga minima ma kienet tezisti u 3.50 Liri fil-gimgha kienet paga decenti!
Vince Cachia
Apr 14th 2012, 17:06
Joseph il-50 lira ghat televisions tal-kulur kienu fit-tmeninijiet. Fis-sittinijiet it-telephone kien ghadu LUSSU!!!
Joseph Micallef
Apr 14th 2012, 14:47
Had he been in North Korea, I would guess to which part of this guy the rocket would be aimed at :) X'misthijja ta' pajjiz. It's all about culture. In his lack of culture, uncivilized, wild mind, he thinks he just did the right thing. This is the most worrying thing: CULTURE!!!! [or the lack of it]
raymond scicluna
Apr 14th 2012, 14:00
i sincerely hope that the driver will be apprehended and summoned to court for hefty charges. The arrogance of one can never be tolerated to the inconvenience of many.
Angelo Vassallo
Apr 14th 2012, 13:52
The driver should be taken to court. These things should not happen in a civilized nation. Just imagine the truck was Malta bound and on the ship there were tourists on the way to the airport and maybe lose their flights because of this irresponsible driver. Surely the very fragile tourist industry does not need stupid incidents like this.
My query is: why was the driver stopped on the ramp and not before? Can Gozo Channel explain?
J. Debono
Apr 14th 2012, 14:27
Kif ha twaqqfu trakk????
Billi toqghod quddiemu?
Jekk id-driver huwa arroganti bizzejjed biex jimblokka r-rampa, huwa arroganti bizzejjed biex jghaddi min fuq persuna!
Joseph Fenech
Apr 14th 2012, 13:52
Hafna ghawdxin,jahsbu li jaghmlu li jridu,u hadd ma' jista jzommhom ghax jafu l-Allat.Fir-realta minghajr in-negozju tal-Maltin imutu bil-guh.!!!
Paul Meilak
Apr 14th 2012, 14:57
Allura .. il-Maltin illi jmorru jistennew il-vapur, ghandhom jaqbzu lil dawk Ghawdxin illi jkunu ilhom jistennew il-vapur ferm aktar minnhom ?
...mela ghax il-Maltin jiftahru li minghajr in-negozju taghhom l-Ghawdxin imutu bil-guh... il-Maltin li jkunu sejrin ghal btala f'Ghawdex ghandhom jaqbzu lil Ghawdxin li jkunu sejrin ghax-xoghol jew lura lejn darhom..
Jason Sultana
Apr 14th 2012, 15:15
stop insulting............
Lawrence Camilleri
Apr 14th 2012, 15:35
Grazzi tal-kumment tieghek Sur Fenech. Kienu l-Ghawdxin li fl-ahhar gwerra ghenu lill-Maltin ma jmutux bil-guh u jsibu rifugju go Ghawdex. U jekk hemm "hafna Ghawdxin li jahsbu li jaghmlu li jridu" ma jfissirx li m'hemmx Maltin "li jahsbu l-jaghmlu li jridu" - (dak id-driver ta H'Attard li tajjar dawk it-tewmin). Issa ghax uhud huma arroganti, ukoll ma jfissirx li "hafna" huma arroganti sew Ghawdex kif ukoll Malta u l-arroganza ma tintweriex biss b'azzjoni izda wkoll bil-kliem. Messek fahhart lill-kaptan li ma halliex lit-trailer jitla' fuq il-vapur bir-riskju li f'maltemp mill-Punent tigri xi dizgrazzja. Prosit Kaptan responsabbli.
Edward Camilleri
Apr 14th 2012, 13:43
This situation is being brought by some of the Gozo Channel staff, arrogant and do not show any respect to those waiting in the queue. Have been crossing regularly for over 20 years but never experienced what has been happening during the last few months.
The staff are loading whoever they want first. More than 3 times in 2 months I saw vans, just arriving in the queue, being ushered before other cars, despite long queues waiting for the next ship. It is completely unacceptable that a van/truck is loaded on arrival whilst although you have arrived before him in the queue, you must board not the next ferry, neither the next, but the 3rd!
So please do not blame the truck driver for the confusion!
M Cachia
Apr 14th 2012, 14:38
Of course you blame the truck driver. He blocked a ferry from leaving!! The point is not why he was refused entry, the point is that he carried out an illegal act. And an illegal act remains so irregardless of the circumsances.
R. Refalo
Apr 14th 2012, 15:05
i agree with you 100%
Lawrence Camilleri
Apr 14th 2012, 23:47
This is really ridiculous. While you comment that a "van/truck is loaded on arrival" others complain that many times "Trucks are refused boarding very frequently" - comment by D Grima.
John Azzopoardi
Apr 14th 2012, 13:29
Was the man arrested fo blocking the entrance to the ship. Also, his truck should be confiscated until further notice.
Charles Sammut
Apr 14th 2012, 13:28
I love the way the arrogant culprit is eyeballing the eyes of the law !! In a civilised country, the law breaker would have been on the ground with his arms handcuffed behind his back..but of course we all are aware that the keystone kops of Malta are strong with the weak and weak with the strong!!
...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.....
Adrian Bartolo
Apr 14th 2012, 16:36
Spot on ... :)
M Grima
Apr 14th 2012, 13:27
Maybe John Wayne junior has a few powerful political friends and thinks that might is right. I'll bet my last penny that this cowboy would not even be charged for his mischief.
Alan Attard
Apr 14th 2012, 16:34
You lost your money; he's being arraigned in court this evening - any other bets?
N. Bonello
Apr 14th 2012, 18:19
Being charged/arraigned is one thing. But what would eventually happen - probably not even a fine. Lets see.
George Cremona
Apr 14th 2012, 13:22
@most of the comments
Bla...bla..bla and presumptuous Maltese individuals, pretending to know it all and do not realize once for ever that he who thinks that he knows all and does not know that he knows nothing is a FOOL...SHUN HIM
Anthony Falzon
Apr 14th 2012, 15:35
HE WHO KNOWS, AND KNOWS THAT HE KNOWS, HE IS A WISE MAN, SEEK HIM.
HE WHO KNOWS, AND KNOWS NOT THAT HE KNOWS, HE IS ASLEEP, WAKE HIM.
HE WHO KNOWS NOT, AND KNOWS THAT HE KNOWS NOT, HE IS _______,TEACH HIM.
HE WHO KNOWS NOT, AND KNOWS NOT THAT HE KNOWS NOT, HE IS A FOOL, SHUN HIM.
John Azzopoardi
Apr 14th 2012, 17:45
And the bla bla bla goes on. The man should have been arrested/ Period. He broke the law
Alfred Grech
Apr 14th 2012, 13:18
Gordon John Grech raised some valid points. What was the reason Gozo Channel refused the truck to go on board?
Charles Zahra
Apr 14th 2012, 12:44
Forsi dan habib ta' habib ta' habib ......nahseb fhimtuni !!
Edward Camilleri
Apr 14th 2012, 13:45
No do not agree, if he was a friend of a friend, he would not have to resort to such tactics, but loaded always first before everyone else! Its normal saw it happening several times during the last few months!
Joseph N. Attard
Apr 14th 2012, 13:48
Unless this man is charged by the police, taken to court, and punished accordingly if found guilty, I will have no option but to agree with Mr. Charles Zahra. And the friends of friends, if that is the case, should seriously be thinking about all the consequences of standing up for this fellow.
Tony Borg Borg
Apr 14th 2012, 13:53
Sur Zahra il-hbieb tal-hbieb tal-hbieb niftakarhom fiz-zmien it-tmeninijiet. Tiftakar biex tixtri TV ried ikolok habib
go Xandir Malta?
Jonathan Attard
Apr 14th 2012, 16:00
sur tony borg borg borg taf fejn huma il hbieb tal hbieb meta vapur ikun telaq mill imgarr u ax tkun taf lil hbieb tal hbieb il vapur jerga idawwar u jerga jidhol l imgarr ok sur tony borg borg borg
Lawrence Camilleri
Apr 14th 2012, 16:11
@ Sur Tony Borg Borg u mhux biss ikollok habib dawk iz-zminijiet imma trid thallas Lm50 tips biex tiehdu. Ghaddejt minnha din l-esperjenza. Habib tieghi rnexxielu jghinni nakkwista TV Telefunken - ma kienx hemm ghazla ohra. Mort Xandir Malta l-Gwardamangia, Hallast u mhux depozitu biss taf izda balla liri xi Lm360 (tv li llum tixtrih inqas minn daqshekk Ewro) u staqsejt meta kont se niehdu. Ir-risposta tas-sinjorina kienet li jibghatu ghalija 'l quddiem. Zewg twieqi boghod minnha qabel hrigt sejjahli wiehed anzjan go cubicle (jigifieri dan kien hemm ufficjalment) u qalli li jekk ridt kont niehdu l-ghada. Izda jien irrifjutajt wara li smajt lil wiehed ftit qabel hemm gew stess quddiem kulhadd jghajjat u jghajjar li kien ilu xahrejn li hallas u kien ghadu bla tv waqt li l-gar tieghu ghax hallas Lm50 hadu l-ghada. Wara hafna zmien baghtu ghalija u wara hafna tfixkil mort go garaxx b'nofs tuzzana mpjegati tax-Xandir Malta li b'arroganza qaluli niehu wiehed. Ara xi hadd refa' sebghu jghinni tafx! Ma hallewnix niftah il-kaxxa biex nara x'hemm u tlaqt 'l barra la naf kellix tv u l-anqas gebla. Isbah minnha kienet li meta mort napplika, waqt li kont hdejn is-sinjorina jidhol Membru Onorevoli tal-Parlament (1986) u talabha jara l-lista tal-applikanti. Dan beda jaqta ismijiet minnha u hawn il-povra sinjorina infexxet tghajjat li taht dawk ic-cirkostanzi ma setghetx tkompli tahdem. X'gara minnha wara ma nafx miskina. Dan kien f'Gunju 1986!
Mr M Spiteri
Apr 14th 2012, 16:42
@ Tony Borg Borg
I remeber the seventies and eighties very well. It was a time when people always had money in their pockets and the country did not have any finacial problems. Peple could afford to buy colour tvs, build their homes, educate their children..etc..etc... It was a time when the courty was flourishing after Mintoff's wise leadership after Borg Olivier had left a country bankrupt and a very poor nation. It was the time when the peple in this courtry started living. Unfortunately it was also a time when we had terrorist attacks on people serving the nation.
Lawrence Camilleri
Apr 15th 2012, 00:06
@ M Spiteri, iva veru li ghedt, dak iz-zmien konna sinjuri ghax kieku ma konniex inhallsu nofs lira ghal bicca Mars. Meta ersaqt biex nixtri Mars minn fuq il-vapur li kien ghal Malta, qabel ftaht halqi, tal-hanut qalli "Mars non ce piu", kien jaf li sejjer Malta u x'ridt nixtri, meta minn Heathrow, ajruplani ghal kullimkien, mort nixtri Mars, is-sinjorina appena tlabtha Mars qaltli "Mr You are bound for Malta" , imma anke din il-bicca Mars ma waslitx Malta ghax blajtha qabel nasal id-Dwana Malta fejn kienu jehduhieli u aktarx ukoll jarrestawni. Kellna flus, forsi, ghax ma kellniex fejn nonfquhom. Kif tkellimt int tidher li kont habib tal-hbieb sew fir-regim - dawk kollha gawdew.
vella m
Apr 14th 2012, 12:42
Pajjiz u poplu tal-Mickey Mouse,kulhad jamel li irid.Malta ghanda bzon tqum qawma fuq tahha mill raqda li riqda.
Tony Borg Borg
Apr 14th 2012, 13:50
Sur Vella pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse kieku 'l-Puluzija hallewh jitla'.
M. Attard
Apr 14th 2012, 12:35
Imnalla ma lahqux ghamlu xi bridge bejn Malta u Ghawdex ghax probabli kien jizvfronda b'dak il-piz.
Charles Sammut. (NY)
Apr 14th 2012, 12:30
I don't get it. Why couldn't the police arrest the driver and drive the truck away from the ramp? Surely if the truck had broken down in the middle of the road it would have been towed away? I guess the person that had made the ferry wait a few months ago because he was running late was not being inconvenienced this time around.
Charles Sammut
Apr 14th 2012, 13:25
you don't get it,because you live in NY and we live here..and this guy obviously have friends in the corridors of Castille to protect his arrogance and lawlessness!!!
..and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.....
Jay Oatmon
Apr 14th 2012, 12:29
This kind of 'spoilt brat' behaviour is all to common in Malta - several groups are priveliged and seem to be above the law, that ordinary citizens must obey.
Grocery trucks parked illegally and dangerously on street corners, or by pedestrian crossings are another example - you park your car on a corner and you get fined but they don't get fined or even moved on.
B Attard
Apr 14th 2012, 12:26
Another king of the road ...and sea this time.
Gordon John Grech
Apr 14th 2012, 12:12
I tend to disagree with all the comments below. One has to know the reason why this truck was refused by GC. If it is for security reasons due to the rough sea (which I don't think it is), then the point goes to GC; however if on the other hand (which I think it is more likely) it is because the GC Captain, managers and employees on MV Malita did not want to raise one of the hoistable decks of the ship in question, then the driver had all the right to do what he did. One has to put oneself in the driver's shoes: most probably he left his starting point early in the morning, arrived at the GC Mgarr terminal, paid the fee (and hope he did not miss the previous ferry due to the slow GC cashiers and ticketing system) and then refused, which would have adverse effects on his schedule and his business. If this is so the person in question had every right to do so. For those of you who do not know (especially if they are Maltese and not Gozitans) this thing happens regularly in the summer months on the other side (Cirkewwa) because of the MV Malita decks.
This incident clearly shows that the service being given by GC is inadequate by today's standards and further proves the point that the only solution for the Gozitan social and economical development is investment in a bridge or a tunnel.
Franco Farrugia
Apr 14th 2012, 12:57
NO wonder we are in the state we are in with people of your way of 'thinking'. Whatever the reason was, the driver had no right to act the way he did! Punto, e basta! But I suppose with people such as yourself, it's ok to take the law into our hands, play the Wild, Wild West and act in a way 'biex tghaddi taghna'!
R Marquette
Apr 14th 2012, 13:00
I think that he was refused to board the ship because they did not want raise the hoistable deck.
This happened to me on the 18th of March. After paying over €50, I was informed that the next ship is the Malitia and I have to wait for the other ship as my van exceeds to limit of 2.5m in height. When the ship docked I stood close to it and saw that one of the hoistable decks was raised because of only 1 (one) red Iveco van (probably driven by a Gozitan) so I complained. The rude Gozo Channel staff, got a measuring tape and luckily my van was just 5cm less than the limit of 2.5m so they had no other option to allow board! This is a monopoly and someone incharge should take the responsabilty or offer alternative transportation method to and from Gozo.
This was the last time in my life that I stepped foot on the Island of Gozo. With the low cost airlines operating to and from Malta I can easily get a weekend break in Barcelona, Trapani, Bologna or Venice for the same ammount of money.
M Cachia
Apr 14th 2012, 14:35
Irregardless - the man had no right to hold a whole boat to ransom.
Gordon John Grech
Apr 14th 2012, 16:19
For everyone's info the port area is managed by GC and this situation has been brought about by the incompetencies in the company operation. Also for your info do you know where those slabs are going? to adorn the new parliament building in Valletta. Surely the driver had the pressure to deliver his load in a stipulated time. It surely not the first time that truck drivers are refused boarding because of the hoistable decks and this is reaching a boiling point due to GC incompetence.
Mr M Spiteri
Apr 14th 2012, 16:47
@ Franco Farrugia
mela mhux kullhadd ghandu dritt li jipprotesta
j brincat
Apr 14th 2012, 12:10
This report is silent on whether the culprit will be brought to book or not.
I think that the era of cowboys should be a forgone one, by now!
(jb)
Toni Borg
Apr 14th 2012, 12:06
Blocked access from 9.45 am and three quarters of an hour later driver was still arguing with the police???
Within ten minutes that cowboy driver should have been locked up behind bars waiting for his
arraignment in court!!
Only in Malta!
Paul Borg
Apr 14th 2012, 12:00
That's why I never go to Gozo
Paul Meilak
Apr 14th 2012, 11:34
OH WAIT !!
on which basis does a truck driver has to be refused on boarding the ferry ? Gozitan workers are fed up with this discrimination... in this case Gozo Channel should get a fine or legal action too.. for using discrimination with Gozitan truck drivers on day to day basis !
Noel Cutajar
Apr 14th 2012, 12:41
Before crying foul play, do you know that a service for these kind of services is offerred from San Maison? Would you like to travel on a ship filled with trucks filled with dangerous material? Do you know that if the sea is rough, those large boulders would de-stabilize the ship if they fall off the truck during the journey and risk your precious A...? So, this is not a matter of discrimination but safety first and this applies to all!!
Paul Meilak
Apr 14th 2012, 13:26
This kind of discrimination by Gozo Channel officials takes place very often particularly at Cirkewwa...with small empty trucks / vans on their way back to Gozo after a tough working day in Malta.
Alfred Cauchi
Apr 14th 2012, 14:16
I wonder how you are saying that gozitans are discriminated , are you forgetting the reduce price they have on the tariffs ,may be even your self . What differences are there between maltese and gozitains to have theses reduced prices. I use to visit gozo several times but now I hate to go , many reasons that already known by others . Just keep it in mind that if Maltese does not visit gozo for holidays gozo would be like LIMBO .
Paul Meilak
Apr 14th 2012, 14:44
Alfred, thanks for confirming that you, Maltese allat who are always imposing stupid and egoist decision policies on Gozo are always pretending that the Gozitans are inferior to the Maltese...
Noel Cutajar
Apr 14th 2012, 17:40
How come that Gozitans are discriminated when Gozo Channel is made up of Gozitans? So your way of thinking does not make any sense...
Charles Micallef
Apr 14th 2012, 11:33
Yet another cowboy who thinks that he is more important than the rest....!! LOCK HIM UP!
Manuel Camilleri
Apr 14th 2012, 11:29
this bully should be give a prison term - even for three days - to help him cool his attitude
John Farrugia
Apr 14th 2012, 11:27
I travel to Gozo nearly every fortnight and at times the Gozo Channel staff make you loose it. They are a bunch on incompetent people both at Mgarr and at Cirkewwa with no idea of Customer Service. I still need to figure out why so many people are required to manage cars at quays and handle a few ropes. It is generally plain sailing to board the ferry but when there is a peak, these people just have no idea ow to manage the situation. I happen to also cross through the Euro Tunnel with my car every year, this is totally automated apart from one or two customs officials. An efficient and smooth procedure.
Anne Farrugia
Apr 14th 2012, 13:44
Mr Farrugia...customer service...hey what is that, if I may ask????? lol lol lol Are you sure that this 'customer service' or whatever has arrived at Cirkewwa/Mgarr/Gozo Channel staff? Maybe it's still on it's way...patience is a virtue ha! ha! ha! Sorry can't help it! :) Because I totally agree with you!!!
Peter Paul Sacco
Apr 14th 2012, 11:20
It is amazing how these cowboys have the impression that they can do whatever they like. How about hitting them most where it hurts, i.e. their pocket? For a start Gozo Channel should sue for lost income, followed by all passengers on board. That way perhaps we will one day Malta may join the community of civilised nations.
pat muscat
Apr 14th 2012, 11:07
Bil-fors li kellu xi qaddis jew qaddisa Ghawdxi biex dan id-driver bully ghamel dak li ghamel; il-qasba ma iccaqcaqx ghal xejn; mhux ta b'xejn li iridu jaljenawna bin-North Korea, biex forsi inessu id-dwejjaq li gabu f'dan il-pajjiz dawn il-qabda losers!
Aaron Vella
Apr 14th 2012, 13:00
Who should resign this time? :)
mario camilleri king
Apr 14th 2012, 13:47
@ pat muscat;
Min losers???????
michael sammut
Apr 14th 2012, 15:36
dejjem l-istess kantaliena pat!!! Min artiklu fuq il-Korea ta' fuq u iehor fuq dan il-bully, wehel il-gvern wkoll!!!
pat muscat
Apr 14th 2012, 17:10
@ Michael Sammut: l-ahbarijiet vera mhumiex ta GonziPNPBS, l-anqas ta Kastilja, imma dak li jghidu u li jafu jikkonkludu in-nies! Mela ta subghajna f'halqna?
michael sammut
Apr 14th 2012, 17:23
int tinkonkludi kif trid, basta kontra l-gvern. GonziPNPBS etc etc etc dejjem ahjar milli qed tikteb fuq gazzetta li il-partit tieghek ipprova jkisser. Billi tinonkludi li int mhux ta subajk f'haqlek ma jfissirx li int ghandek ragun f'dak li qed tghid!! Ghandek opinjoni u daqsekk (kontra il-gvern bhal-dejjem) imma tilghabix ta 'li taf kollox'. Mela insejthom il-bullies ta' zmien il-lejber, li kellhom il-barka mil-gvern, mil-partit, mil-pulizzija u min kastilja. Qatt ma inzertajt li qed issuq u hariglek bully fin-nofs?? Nazzjonalist jkun skont int. Issa jekk jitla il-PL, ma jkollnix min dawn il-bullies aktar :P
Ramon Casha
Apr 14th 2012, 11:03
Fine him at the rate of the minimum wage per hour multiplied by the number of crew and passengers on the ferry.
Doris Farrugia
Apr 14th 2012, 11:03
I think that this behaviour among bullies will keep on going cause the court sentences are being very soft on these kind of people.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Apr 14th 2012, 11:02
@ J Borg.
What has the Roman Catholic religion got to do with this uncivilised behaviour?
J. Borg
Apr 14th 2012, 15:01
Dr Saliba....it is not the Catholic religion....but the fact that Maltese are supposed to be RC. Get the point ??
Jeremy Lanfranco
Apr 14th 2012, 10:52
I thought that tantrums are for 2 year olds!
George Farrugia
Apr 14th 2012, 10:47
nahseb id-driver ghandu l-arja minn xi ras. Il-pujlizia ghax ma arrestawhx?
Alfred Cauchi
Apr 14th 2012, 11:53
Yes may be. Just the same when Marsa bridge was hit by that overloaded trail or and caused chaos all around traffic . But as we say it's not how much you know but whom you know
Peter Murray
Apr 14th 2012, 10:46
Looks to me like the truck driver threw his dummy out of his cab-for who on earth does he think he is and this is sadly indicative of the intolerance and lack of respect for other people nowadays As long as I am all right and get my way then sod anyone else is this drivers attitude- and if I don't then watch out and regrettably he is not alone.Throw him in the slammer and revoke his license.
Tess Sultana
Apr 14th 2012, 12:52
How fast can some be to judge and talk without knowing the facts!! Being a gozitan and crossing every day myself I am quiet sure that this driver has been there for a long time and he was refused permission to board. So please before being so presumptuous check out the facts. Many truck drivers are left at Cirkewwa / Mgarr for hours before they can cross over. He probably had a deadline and wasn't going to make it. I don't think it's fair they leave them there. So please, watch your mouth, "throw him in the slammer and revoke his license" Please!! Hah!! Who are you? King of I know it all land??
j dough
Apr 14th 2012, 13:12
isn't 'cargo' supposed to be ferried from sa maison??? and just LOOK at the 'truck and cargo'!!!!
M Cachia
Apr 14th 2012, 14:30
Miss Sultana - irregardless of deadline etc, the man held an entire boat to ransom. If that doesn't call for imprisonment and revocation of a license what does? He would count himself lucky if he didn't also get a whopping fine also.
Peter Murray
Apr 14th 2012, 14:44
Dear Tess Sultana,
You appear to be the font of all knowledge and know all the facts -but how do you know or ARE YOU ASSUMING also ?Instead of condemning others for judging the situation which was that this man took the law into his own hands and disrupted a lot of people' s journerys -so whats not to judge or presume as you say as his totally selfish and irresponsible action whatever provoked such cannot be condoned or mitigated and may i suggest you watch your mouth(very lady-like language that wasn' it?) dear Countess of Cirkewwa and dont leave it open when near the ferry as drivers might mistake it for the entrance to the car deck.
C Cassar
Apr 14th 2012, 10:37
Surely thhe truck driver will be fined the same amount as the business lost by Gozo Ferry plus the same amount again for the inconvenience caused to everyone else. He should also lose his license for 5 years and be banned from driving heavy vehicles for life.
David Farrugia
Apr 14th 2012, 10:39
I agree.
Mark Anthony Cachia
Apr 14th 2012, 10:51
I agree, it's about damn time large vehicle drivers stop bullying others around ... We *should* be living in a civilized country ...
A. Borg
Apr 14th 2012, 10:52
Who knows. Life is full of surprises!
Peter Murray
Apr 14th 2012, 11:05
@A.Borg
Sad to say they are usually nasty surprises.What will happen to this truck driver that will surpise you .GC should bar him for travelling on their ferries is my suggestion -and that is just for starters .
Charles DeMicoli
Apr 14th 2012, 11:47
It depends on "who" he knows;)
Joseph Calleja
Apr 14th 2012, 13:11
NO problem, because people tend to forget awfully fast. Tomorrow it will be Business as usual and this same driver will pull the same stunt again.
Please choose the reason of your report below: