Not everyone on shore was pleased with the cruise ship Norwegian Dawn — which had to scramble to get to Bermuda after being delayed by Tropical Storm Leslie.The ship was yesterday at anchor in the Great Sound, to make way for other vessels booked in at Dockyard’s Heritage Wharf — leaving local charter boat operators perplexed as the Dawn ferried passengers to Hamilton with its own lifeboats.In response, a Government spokesman said an agreement needed to be set between operators and Marine and Ports.Shortly before the vessel left the Island yesterday, Bermudian captain Nigel Prescott told The Royal Gazette: “I have seen all the tenders going back and forth all day, and it’s not right.“There are Bermudians who could be doing that job. There are charter boats sitting idle doing absolutely nothing.“Years ago this would never have happened. They were always utilised. When Government couldn’t cope, it was always handed over to us.”Mr Prescott said he could ordinarily expect to employ 13 or 14 locals in a busy season, but is currently operating with one part-time staff.“I’ve been in this business 45 years. I can assure you, this is the third time recently I can recall this happening.”The staff aboard the cruise ship’s private tenders “aren’t Bermudian, they don’t pay taxes”, he said. “How can they be used instead of us? I’ve got Bermudian staff laid off at the moment, and this is work they could have used.”Nor was Mr Prescott swayed by the argument that the Norwegian Dawn’s late arrival might have left it no choice.“It does not matter,” he said. “They can call the charter boats and give us an hour or two’s notice.”Fellow charter boat operator Steve (Cookie) Brown took a conciliatory view.“The question is, what is the clarity of the law?” Mr Brown said. “Are they operating within the same parameters that tour boat operators have to operate within?”Having watched cruise passengers queue along Front Street for the ship’s own ferries, Mr Brown acknowledged the Island was lucky to get revenue from a cruise ship that could have cancelled its visit.“Dialogue has to take place,” he said. “We need this business, but a balance has to be struck.”Last night, a Ministry of Transport spokesman said no agreement was currently in place for local boats to ferry passengers.“While not a frequent occurrence, a ship anchoring and using her tenders to transport passengers is nothing new in Bermuda,” he said. Government’s tender Bermudian was supporting the ship’s own tenders.The spokesman added that Marine and Ports would encourage dialogue with the industry through a formal body.“We would consider any plan put forward by such an association to organise themselves at short notice to assist in facilitating the mass passenger lift to and from shore as is required in such cases.”Yesterday evening, The Royal Gazette was informed by two sources that some NorwegianDawn passengers ended up having to catch buses to Dockyard. Some made their way to the bus station, and two extra buses were also sent to the ferry terminal.The Transport spokesman was unable to provide additional comment on that by press time.