Government has promised to alert commuters to ferry cancellations in a "timelier fashion" after a notice about suspension of the East End service on Monday was issued 20 minutes after the first boat was due to depart.

The media was told at 7 a.m. that day that ferries servicing St. George's and St. David's were cancelled due to mechancial problems. The St. George's commuter service sets out at 6.40 a.m. from Hamilton, departing St. David's at 7.30 a.m. and St. George's at 7.40 am.

A spokewoman for the Department of Marine and Ports said confirmation that the service was to be stopped only came through late on Sunday night.

"The Department regrets that East End commuters were inconvenienced by not being alerted earlier this weekend to the disruption of service," she said. The spokeswoman apologised for any inconvenience, adding: "The Department can assure the public that should there be any future disruption of service it will endeavour to alert the public in a timelier fashion."

The ferry route resumed late Monday afternoon.