A ferry repair schedule has been “accelerated’ to ensure ferries are returned to schedule on Monday, according to a statement issued by Marine and Ports this afternoon.

Workers downed tools this week apparently over safety concerns, although neither the Bermuda Industrial Union or Marine and Ports have said what those safety issues are. Only ferries on the pink and blue routes are operating.

In the statement today Director of Marine and Ports, Francis Richardson thanked the public “for their continued patience during this public inconvenience”.

He apologised to people adversely affected by the suspension of the ferry service, and said the Department was working "around the clock" to ensure that full service resumes on Monday, October 4.

Mr. Richardson confirmed today that following a union meeting on Tuesday to address outstanding ferry maintenance issues, workers decided to down tools, as they believed their grievances were not being adequately addressed.

However, according to Mr. Richardson, over the course of the past two days "substantial progress has been made with regard to the outstanding maintenance issues and discussions with the Union have progressed well".

Marine and Ports technical and operational staff are working collectively to accelerate the repair schedule to ensure that the ferries are returned to service as soon as possible.

Mr. Richardson said he could appreciate the public's "level of frustration" at the lack of information regarding the current situation. And he said that the Department would “actively endeavor to keep the public fully abreast of further developments, particularly when all ferry commuter service resumes”.

Last night, a spokeswoman for Marine and Ports said the Blue Route, which had operated today (Friday), will be suspended tomorrow because of the maintenance work. The Blue Route operates between Dockyard and Hamilton, servicing Cavello Bay, Watford Bridge and Dockyard.

"The decision was made in an effort to expedite repair work which was started earlier this week on the ferries. However the Department advised that the service will be running on Monday as usual," the spokeswoman added.

The Pink Route (Warwick/Paget) remains operational.