A popular employee of the Department of Marine and Ports Services will be buried at sea tomorrow.

A dockside service will be held for Tyrone Edwards on the fast ferry Warbaby Fox at Albuoy’s Point at 11am before he is taken out to sea by pilot boat.

However, his daughter, Tyneisha Somersall, and her husband, Clifford, expressed disappointment that the Department of Marine and Ports had not granted use of more vessels.

Mr Somersall said the department had initially agreed for the Warbaby Fox and the tug Powerful to accompany the two pilot boats, which will depart from Ordnance Island in St George’s at about 12.30pm.

But he added that they were later told this would not be possible even though Marine and Ports employees had told him they were willing to help.

Mrs Somersall, who said the pilot boats would restrict the number of people who could attend, said: “It was like an insult. It was disappointing to me. From what I’ve heard, it’s been done in the past.”

Mr Somersall explained that Mr Edwards, who died last week aged 54, was part of the crew that took the Powerful overseas to be serviced.

He added: “This man dedicated his life to Marine and Ports and all we are asking is to have a memory present at sea.

“Everyone has done their part. Why is Marine and Ports, the company he worked for, giving us such an issue?”

No explanation was forthcoming from the Ministry of Transport and Regulatory Affairs.

But a spokesman said: “The thoughts and sympathies of the Ministry of Transport and Regulatory Affairs and the Department of Marine and Ports Services are with the family of the late Mr Edwards who was a valued employee at the department for nearly three decades.

“Following the request of the family, the ministry and the department committed to providing Mr Edwards a safe and respectful service, as with any other burial at sea for a member of the Marine and Ports family.

“We are providing two pilot boats to go out to sea and also a ferry boat at dockside for the service.”

The dockside service at Albouy’s Point will be open to friends and family and Mrs Somersall asked for colours to be worn.