Tourism Minister David Dodwell yesterday said an additional ferry will run to Somerset three times a week.

"A growing number of requests have been received from local commuters over the last month or so for an additional evening ferry on the Somerset run,'' he said. "This has been amplified by passengers from the cruise ships who, it is felt, would benefit from an extended service together with the businesses at the Royal Naval Dockyard.'' The Meridian berths in Dockyard from Tuesday to Friday. The last Somerset ferry now leaves Hamilton at 5.20 p.m. In the past cruise passengers were transported via chartered tenders, but these were discontinued two years ago -- creating greater demand for the ferries.

"The Department is sympathetic to the needs of our visitors and to the requests of the local commuters who are being inconvenienced and have occasionally not been able to be seated,'' Mr. Dodwell said.

Late ferry launched "I have therefore decided to try one additional Somerset trip from Tuesday, 24 June, departing Hamilton at 6 p.m.'' The extra ferry will operate on a trial basis for six weeks. If it is successful, it will operate throughout the summer until October.

The additional ferry will run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings only.

And the news was met with enthusiasm by Meyer Agencies, the local agents for the Meridian .

Captain John Moore yesterday told The Royal Gazette that the move will benefit the passengers as well as the West End residents.

"It will benefit the passengers and greatly benefit the residents of Somerset area,'' Capt. Moore said.

"It's an expensive proposition to keep one of those things operating past working hours,'' he added. "I think they struck a happy medium.''