Ports workers were locked in talks last night over the latest proposals to get the new 5 p.m. Rockaway ferry service running.

It was due to start on Monday but crews objected to the way it was handled and refused to run the service. Marine and Ports Services Director Barry Coupland later admitted ferries and workers were being pushed towards breaking point.

Bermuda Industrial Union leader Derrick Burgess said at 10.10 p.m. last night: "The organisers are still in a meeting with the workers to discuss the latest proposals from management."

On Wednesday Mr. Coupland said changes in ferry scheduling had placed a high demand on both man and machine and had led to workplace friction.

He said: "In order to react to the enthusiastic request from the public for an additional catamaran ferry departing at 5 p.m. from Hamilton to Rockaway, there has been an initially `Rob from Peter to pay Paul' effect.

"This has resulted in seemingly minor, but nonetheless significant changes to the overall catamaran ferry timetable."

He said Bermuda had moved to a "state of the art" ferry system appreciated by the locals and tourists.

"All of this has placed an escalating strain on resources. This tends to produce perceptions of short notice and has resulted in apparent friction between management and the ferry crews. These are mere `teething' troubles that will be resolved by mediation.

"As a direct result of the success of the Minister of Transport's initiatives, the ferry crews and the catamarans are being pushed towards a point whereby both man and machine may approach their safe working limit. In this respect my mandate is to ensure that such limits are not breached."