Gozo Channel has explained its version of events after the Gozo ferry Gaudos was last night ordered to turn back to Ċirkewwa after it left port with no passengers on board, leaving the Gozo Minister and some three other cars behind.

The Gaudos was supposed to drop off its passengers and head to Mġarr empty to dock for the night, leaving the MV Ta’ Pinu and the MV Malita to take over the night’s work, employees told Times of Malta. The Malita arrived just 15 minutes later and the Ta’ Pinu 10 minutes after that.

Dr Refalo, who 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.

(Full story in The Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com)

GOZO CHANNEL STATEMENT

The ferry company said the MV Gaudos left from Mgarr at 8 p.m. on an extra trip. It was on its last trip to Cirkewwa and was expected to dock in at Dock 3 for the night at Mgarr.

"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."

The company said it it is its policy that when there are passengers waiting to board, the ferry has to pick them up and perform its trip back to Mgarr terminal to 'unload' them, even if it is the ferry’s last trip before docking.

"The duty manager received a call from a passenger, who identified himself as the Gozo Minister, complaining that the ferry left passengers stranded. At no point did the passenger order, or in any way ask, for the ferry to go back and pick him or other passengers from Cirkewwa," Gozo Channel said.

The duty manager decided at that stage that it was the company's mistake and 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 said it regretted the incident and would continue to make sure that passengers are given the best possible service.

GOVERNMENT SHIFTING THE BLAME - PN

The Nationalist Party in a reaction said the Gozo Minister was trying to shift the blame when it was clear that he had acted in an incorrect manner when he ordered the ship back and created a fuss before the passengers at Cirkewwa.

The PN said power had gone to the head of the government ministers. The actions of the Minister of Gozo were deplorable and the prime minister should declare whether he approved of such an abusive attitude.

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