on Tuesday evening as high winds and large swells prevented anyone from disembarking the ferry at Somerset Bridge.

But passengers praised the actions of the pilot and his crew for maintaining calm heads under pressure and guiding the vessel back to safety in Hamilton.

Passenger Heidi Ratteray said: "Everything was just falling and crashing and rolling around. It was not a nice experience.

"But the pilot and crew from Marine and Ports did the best they could. They kept us abreast of the situation as it unfolded.

"Once we got out of danger, the pilot came over the intercom and told us that we were going back to Hamilton because it was the safest thing to do.

"They even tried to charter a bus for us so that everyone could get home. In the end that was not possible but when I rode the ferry (today) they allowed all of the regulars who were on the boat on Tuesday to ride for free.

"Marine and Ports staff really did a good job they came down and checked to see if anyone needed an ambulance or had any pain.'' Emily Burgess, of Scott's Hill Road, was similarly complimentary. She said:"I have to praise the competence of the pilot. There was also a senior pilot on board who was off duty and together they brought us to safety.

"They kept us informed and were very considerate of our feelings. All I can say is that it was a job well done.'' Senior pilot Terry Spencer, who was steering the vessel, said he was just happy the ordeal had a happy ending.

He said that when the boat set out from Hamilton at 5.20 p.m. on Tuesday the winds were around 40 knots.

Nevertheless, at Somerset Bridge the winds increased to 60 knots and this forced the boat to lurch and careen.

"It was definitely an experience for me,'' he added. "Having the passengers (around 50) on board I decided to make an attempt to go alongside at Somerset Bridge.

"I decided that since the wind was behind me the swell would break to the back of the boat. As long as I kept the stern into the wind I could create a cushion for the boat.

"But it was dark around this time (after 6.00 p.m) and so I could not see the swells. So once we got alongside the wind increased even more and it became really unsafe.'' Mr. Spencer said that he did not let anyone disembark at Somerset Bridge and thought of trying to get to either Cavello Bay or Dockyard but he chose not to and turned back to Hamilton.

"I have to thank God that we came out of it safely,'' he continued. "I have never operated a ferry in 60 knot winds before.

"There was a lot of roll. We had bikes thrown over, passengers were sick and some were bringing up.'' WEATHER WEA