The decision to completely overhaul the ferry schedule was taken with the best interests of all Bermudians at heart, Transport Minister Ewart Brown has claimed.

Dr. Brown was responding to reportedly vociferous protests from residents of Boaz Island, whose service will be cancelled for good on Monday as the Ministry seeks to bolster the routes between Dockyard and Hamilton as well as the East End.

Instead, a free mini-bus service will take residents of Boaz Island Village to the nearest ferry stop at Watford Bridge.

As of Monday, among a whole host of schedule changes, daily trips from Hamilton to Dockyard will increase from 19 to 26 on work days while the number of runs from Dockyard to St. George's will increase from three to five.

“I would be more than happy to talk to the residents of Boaz Island to explain the decision,” Dr. Brown said yesterday. “It is difficult to please everybody, but in truth you do not get everything you want all the time. People in the East End for instance don't get any ferries and they are Bermudians to.”

Guardwell staff have settled their differences with management and withdrawn their strike threat at the airport.

Workers had been angry over thousands of dollars of missing pension money while The Royal Gazette also understands the company did not pass on an increase, paid by the airport, to staff even though the pay raise was granted last summer.

Fed-up staff issued a 21-day strike notice last month which was due to expire on Monday.

But yesterday airport manager Jim Howes said: “It's my understanding a substantive agreement has been reached so the strike is definitely off.”

Government had set up contingency measures, involving the Police, in case Guardwell were unable to fulfil duties which include access control and perimeter and airfield patrols.

A Hamilton Parish man needed hospital treatment for head injuries after being attacked by two men at a Blue Hole Hill home in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The fight broke out after an argument and Police later arrested an 18-year-old and a 21-year-old Hamilton parish man.

And Police have arrested a 27-year-old St. George's man for attempted breaking and entering after a burglar alarm went off at an Ocean Lane, Pembroke home at 2.45 a.m yesterday.

Police also arrested a 36-year-old Pembroke man after he was chased from Spring Garden restaurant by the owner after breaking in during the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police searched the surrounding streets and found the man behind City Hall.

The Ministry of Transport's Church Street headquarters is closed until further notice due to air conditioning repairs.

Inquiries to the Ministry can be sent to jsdillasgov.bm or phone 292-0023 extension 1985.

“The public will be advised accordingly as to when the office will reopen,” Ministry spokeswoman Nea Talbot said.

The Department of Tourism will be spreading the love as of today by releasing their upbeat theme tune Island-wide.

The “Feel the Love” CD will be distributed to local radio stations, clubs, hotels, schools and restaurants so that all Bermudians, according to Tourism Minister Ewart Brown, can “get in the groove” of the new “pop and sizzle” tourism campaign.

“(The tune) started out life as the background music on one of our 30-second overseas advertising commercials,” he said. “But very quickly the tune became so infectious and catchy that it eventually evolved into our theme song.

“This summer, it is our hope to hear everyone playing “Feel The Love” in their cars, at the beach at barbecues, county games, Cup Match and any other social events at which music is an integral part. “We see this as an exciting and fun way for Bermudians to play their part in engaging and welcoming our visitors to our Island.”

Any member of the public who wishes to have a “free” copy, is invited to go to the Department of Tourism and pick one up.