More than 20 containers full of “essential supplies” were unloaded and delivered to their destinations yesterday as port workers temporarily returned to work.

Bermuda Industrial Union president, Chris Furbert, told protesters who gathered at the House of Assembly in the morning that it was “the right and responsible thing to do”.

By 10.30am stevedores had begun unloading containers from the Oleander container ship, which arrived in Bermuda on Sunday afternoon.

“We have to be accountable for the things we do,” said Mr Furbert. “We will take the essential items off.

“If they are unable to get the refrigerated containers off then the items inside will have to be thrown away.

“This is the right thing to do. We are not irresponsible. Nobody can ever accuse the people of Bermuda being irresponsible.”

Mr Furbert confirmed that all 42 stevedores returned to work to ensure that essential supplies arrived at their destination.

“There are about 23-25 containers that need delivering,” he said. “Once those are delivered they will join back up with us.”

Barry Brewer, president and CEO of the Neptune Group, which runs the Oleander, said another vessel has been chartered to enable Bermuda Container Line to provide services in the coming week.

“The Oleander remains in port partially loaded with certain refrigerated and some ‘essential cargo’ discharged,” Mr Brewer said.

“BCL’s Oleander will remain in Hamilton until the vessel is fully discharged and adequate empties for future cargo can be back loaded.”

Meanwhile court staff and judges were allowed to gain access to Supreme Court 1 and the Court of Appeal yesterday, despite the presence of the protesters.

Mr Furbert said: “Our goal on Monday was to keep MPs out of the House of Assembly.

“If people want to come and go to the court today just let them go.

“Tomorrow is going to be a different day because if MPs try to get back in the House the people can make the same decision as yesterday.

“Let’s not be confused about why we are here.”

Warren Jones, chief executive of Stevedoring Services Limited, said: “We are thankful to our staff and the union executive for addressing essential cargo which was on the docks.

“In what is a very difficult and highly charged environment, staff met their commitment to the people of Bermuda by moving that which is most required.

“While we would all like things to be back to normal, this was a positive gesture which was appreciated by the management.”