Ferry services were disrupted this morning after Marine and Ports workers

walked out.

They called the industrial action this morning, leaving many workers and tourists stranded.

After walking out, they met at the Cabinet building and then marched to the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters. It is not yet known what caused the dispute.

This morning, signs at the Hamilton ferry terminal announced the cancellation of ferry services, although some did operate - from St. George's and Somerset.

However, tourists and businesspeople with no knowledge of the action arrived at the Hamilton terminal to find the ferries were cancelled.

A group of 40 CEO's, leaders and customers of Hibernia Atlantic, a transatlantic cable provider, all arrived at the Ferry Terminal at 10.20a.m. to go to Dockyard.

Jaymie Scotto, the company's PR and Marketing Consultant, said: "It is frustrating. We have been planning this event in Bermuda for four or five months and we heard the best way to get to Dockyard was by Ferry. It's disappointing and an inconvenience."

Other tourists arriving at the Ferry Terminal were also disappointed and confused, because they had been given no forewarning and asked for directions to the bus station.

The ferry service was getting back to normal this afternoon.

* See tomorrow's Royal Gazette for full story and pictures.