-- without warning.

One commuter allegedly got a ticket after yellow lines were painted around his car.

The commuters park their cars at Cavello Bay before taking the ferry to Hamilton.

Now more than 80 of them have formed an action group -- Cavello Bay Ferry Commuters -- to get the restrictions removed.

Yesterday Government promised an immediate probe. Said Works & Engineering Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons: "I don't know the background to this. I will certainly look into what happened.'' Complaints have also been sent to Marine & Ports and Police. Director of Marine & Ports Mr. Ron Ross said last night he would be investigating.

He added his department had not been consulted over the parking restrictions.

"I believe some of the residents in the area may have complained about parked cars. This could have led to the restrictions being put in place.'' The commuters say they take the 8.25 a.m. Somerset-Hamilton ferry, and catch the return at 5.20 p.m.

In a protest letter with more than 80 signatures, they say restrictions were suddenly brought in on October 27.

They only found out when they returned to their cars at 5.55 p.m.

Restrictions included "two hour parking bays'', "no parking zone'', and "residential parking bay''.

"Cavello Bay commuters can attest to the fact that these signs were not there at the beginning of the work day,'' the letter states.

"One of the car owners who parked in the area received a parking ticket as the street engineers went so far as to paint a yellow line around one of the cars while it was parked on the wharf.

"One wonders why such strict parking laws apply to this area and why so suddenly as the commuters were given no prior verbal or written warning.

"We believe the area residents have their own parking areas and/or garages and feel there is no reason for these parking regulations.'' The protesters say they take the ferry to reduce rush-hour traffic to Hamilton, and because they enjoy it. They also want to promote the ferry service.

"If these traffic signs remain, many commuters will have no alternative but to drive their cars into Hamilton as there is very little parking space left elsewhere in the Cavello Bay area.''