Mailing problems and Covid regulations have caused delays in the registration of boats and moorings.

The issue was highlighted by a boat owner who said she had waited at Paget Post Office for 40 minutes after she could not log on to the Marine & Ports website.

She added two workers were visible, but only one was attending to customers.

The woman said the lack of seating at Paget Post Office and parking spaces for just two cars added to the difficulty when she tried to register her boat.

She added she had tried to access the registration site online several times but had been unsuccessful.

“I have also tried to access it through both gov.bm and the Marine and Ports site, all without success.”

The woman, who asked not to be named, added she had e-mailed the department, but had not got a response.

“I assume that the Transport Control Department has more than one clerk. They also allow most business to be conducted online. I have received my mail communications from TCD punctually.”

A spokeswoman for the Department of Marine & Ports said the Government’s mail system was running “very slow”, which had caused many people to choose walk-ins instead.

The spokeswoman said an online option for boat registration was available.

But many people have decided to walk in as the online option mails their new registration.

She added: “This can become very problematic when people wait until the last minute to complete their registration.”

She said Covid-19 health guidelines had restricted the number of people allowed inside the Marine & Ports building to conduct transactions, with “a wait time no different from the Transport Control Department”.

The spokeswoman added: “The team are doing the best they can during these challenging times and can assure you all team members are processing customers.”

The Marine & Ports website could not be accessed on Thursday.

A spokesman for the transport ministry said it was aware of the problem.

He added: “Please be advised that the online system is currently intermittent and we ask for patience as this problem is rectified.”

The spokesman said: “Customers are encouraged to try and use the site again.

“Walk-in customers are still welcomed to use the Paget Post Office for the registering of marine vehicles.

“However, the public is advised of possible delays in line due to Covid guidelines inside of the building.”