a bid to find alternative transport to the West End.

Hundreds of commuters and visitors were left stranded when yesterday's 5.20 p.m. West End ferry was cancelled.

Because reports of the cancellation were broadcast on the radio throughout the day, the usually busy ferry terminal virtually empty.

A sign posted on the doors of the Hamilton Ferry Terminal on Front Street yesterday stated: "Cancelled, 5.20 p.m. Somerset/Dockyard ferry.'' The ferry was cancelled yesterday when some Marine and Ports workers failed to appear for work. Some ferries have been cancelled during the last eight days because of industrial action.

Last week ferry workers notified Marine and Ports they were launching an overtime ban to protest slow negotiations between the union and Government.

Workers last night approved a new wage pact agreed between Government and Bermuda Industrial Union negotiators.

A regular West End ferry commuter said the Hamilton Ferry Terminal was usually a beehive of activity, especially during the mid-week.

"It is usually unbearably packed,'' the commuter said. "Absolutely jammed packed.'' The man said he recalled a time when a pregnant woman and a man on crutches had to stand during a ferry ride because it was so busy.

"The 5.20 ferry on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, when the cruise ship Meridian is in Dockyard, is crazy.'' Yesterday's cancellation left the 5.20 Paget and 5.15 p.m. Warwick ferries practically empty.

But at the Bus Terminal, a long line greeted the 5.30 number seven bus to Dockyard.

The bus, which was crammed with mostly visitors, travels on South Shore Road to Dockyard.

A number eight bus, which also goes to Dockyard via Middle Road, carried the excess commuters.