board on suspicion of impaired driving.

The 47-year-old man, who has piloted Government ferries for 22 years, was arrested by Police when they boarded the Hamilton to Somerset boat at 4.45 p.m. on Thursday.

He has now been charged with impaired driving and will appear in Magistrates' Court on December 9.

And Government sources suggested bosses could revoke his pilot's licence if he is found guilty in court.

Marine and Ports officials would not confirm what might happen to the pilot, but said he had been taken off ferry duties and moved into yard maintenance work.

Spokesman Mike Dolding said: "I can confirm that one of our Somerset ferry pilots was taken off the Somerset boat at Cavello Bay on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol.

"As far as anyone can recall, this is the first time anything like this has ever happened.

"The department obviously views this as a very serious matter because the pilot of a ferry boat is directly responsible for the safety of the passengers, and there could be as many as 250 on board.'' He said the ferry had to be taken over by another crew member for the return journey to Hamilton.

"Thankfully, that crew member had a pilot's licence so nobody on the boat was inconvenienced,'' said Mr. Dolding.

"The critical thing is what action we should take. The pilot has already been removed from ferries to do maintenance work in the yard and we will review that situation once the court case is resolved.

"It must be said that he has a very good service record as a senior ferry pilot and he has been with us since 1975.'' It is understood the pilot could be sacked if found guilty of gross misconduct by Marine and Ports.

One Government source said: "It's quite possible that a pilot's licence could be revoked for this sort of thing, especially if it's considered to be gross misconduct.'' But Mr. Dolding added: "No decision has been taken yet and it would all depend on the seriousness of the case -- and of course if there is a guilty verdict.''