Gozo Channel yesterday suspended its service for most of the day after an unusual, four-metre swell rendered it too dangerous for the ferry to berth safely.

The company operated one trip from Mġarr to Ċirkewwa at around 5am – yet three thick ropes used for mooring were ripped in the process, according to Gozo Channel chairman Joe Cordina.

The company next attempted to operate another trip at around 11am, but after unsuccess-fully attempting to berth both at the north and south quays at Ċirkewwa, the ferry turned back to Mġarr.

Mr Cordina told Times of Malta that according to the company’s captains, the four-metre swell was a rather unusual phenomenon for our shores, with the last such occasion being some three years ago.

“The swell, combined with the northeasterly wind, made it very hard to dock, both at Ċirkewwa and at Sa Maison in Pietà. We had a captain stationed at Ċirkewwa, informing us of the conditions.

“We regret the inconvenience caused – unfortunately, weather conditions are well beyond our control.”

The suspended service created chaos at the harbours, as people queued for hours and fumed that they had not been notified about the suspension, although the company did later put up a warning on its website.

Among the hundreds stranded in Gozo was PN general secretary Chris Said, who was meant to be addressing the concluding session of the Nationalist Party’s general council.

In the meantime, a dinghy was seen riding the waves and ferrying a small group of people from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr.

The Gozo ferry managed to dock successfully at around 6pm.