Ferry service is to resume on all routes on Wednesday morning.

The Department of Marine and Ports released a statement with the news this afternoon.

A “host of mechanical and cosmetic defects” were the behind the disruption in service, a spokesperson said.

"To help put this issue into context, the Department keeps a maintenance schedule and programme that provides for the safe operation of the entire ferry fleet. This aggressive schedule, coupled with our limited number of vessels and high vessel usage this summer, admittedly created challenges as it relates to strictly adhering to the maintenance schedule,” said Marine and Ports director Francis Richardson.

Steps are now underway to minimise future disruptions in service, he added.

“As the fleet is aging and usage is high, these plans require the assistance of the various overseas ship yards, and the training and re-training of the crew and maintenance staff to ensure that all Marine and Ports staff are fully equipped to address the on-going challenges in a high usage environment.”

Service on some ferry routes was first disrupted last Wednesday.

The Department of Marine and Ports thanked the public for patience shown.

For more read tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.