The man who, just over five years ago, was sacked from the helm of Gozo Channel after ordering a ferry back to pick him up has overstepped the mark again.

The Times of Malta is informed that, on the afternoon of April 8, due to heavy winds, the captain of the Gozo Channel ferry doing the crossing decided to take the longer route by navigating behind Comino as a safety precaution, as the island offers more shelter during inclement weather.

This decision seems to have incensed the former Gozo Channel chairman, Joseph Grech, waiting in Ċirkewwa to travel to Gozo.

The captain is the captain and he decides how to conduct his job

According to the police report filed a few days ago, Dr Grech called the Gozo ferry captain on his mobile phone, insisting he should not have gone round Comino because there was no need to do so. Allegedly using colourful language, Dr Grech told the captain he would report him to the authorities.

According to the report, filed by the ferry captain, a number of Gozo Channel officers on board the ship heard Dr Grech’s angry comments because the captain decided to put the incoming call on speaker mode.

The captain continued with his trip as planned despite the call.

Contacted by the Times of Malta, though not saying that a complaint about the decision to take the longer route was not made, Dr Grech categorically denied any “incident” with the ferry captain.

Gozo Channel chairman Joe Cordina confirmed he had “heard something” but said he did not know the details because he was abroad when the alleged incident occurred.

“Without entering into the merits of this case or any other, the captain is the captain and he decides how to conduct his job,” Mr Cordina said.

Dr Grech was asked to resign as chairman of Gozo Channel at the end of 2011 after he ordered a ferry carrying passengers to return to harbour mid-way through its trip because he had arrived late and missed it.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had defended Dr Grech’s appointment as adviser on Gozo Channel matters soon after the 2013 election stating that “Dr Grech deserved another chance”.

Dr Grech said yesterday when, asked he, was no longer an adviser. “I resigned from that position and now I’m a private citizen,” he said.