Local boat owner Bill Tatem offered a helping hand to Bermudians, residents and tourists struggling to make their way around the island during yesterday’s work stoppages by giving them a free lift in his boat.

The self-employed construction worker took the day off especially to ferry people “all over the island” in his 35-foot Duffy, Hurdy Gurdy as civil servants protested against the Bermuda Government’s Pathways to Status proposals.

He started the morning in King’s Square, St George’s, looking for anyone needing a lift.

He first came across a Bermudian couple who needed to get into Hamilton.

From there he picked up a family heading to visit the aquarium, another group who needed a ride back to Hamilton and a French tourist who was heading to Belmont Hills.

He managed to squeeze in a trip to Dockyard before returning to Hamilton in time for the 5.30pm commute home.

He told The Royal Gazette: “It almost brought tears to my eyes when I saw they were setting down essential services again so I decide to put my boat out there and help people out for free.

“I figured Hurdy Gurdy is a good boat and that this would be a good way to keep people happy.

“I have had people from all over … Delaware, Texas, Toronto, France and Bermuda.

“It has been an awesome day — everyone has been very grateful. There were two girls visiting for a golf tournament who they said the boat trip had been the highlight of their trip so far.”