Commuters hoping to enjoy a relaxing gin and tonic as they travel home on the new fast ferries are in for a disappointment.

For the catering firm given the concession to provide food on the new catamarans has withdrawn its application for a liquor licence following objections.

MEF Ltd., which runs the Little Venice group of companies, said yesterday it had decided not to push ahead with plans to sell booze because of opposition from some sections of the community.

MEF spokeswoman Karen Stroeder said selling alcohol on the two fast ferries was never a major priority and the company would only reconsider the issue if there was a strong indication that the travelling public was in favour.

Cathy Belvedere, the executive director of the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, which lodged a formal objection to MEF's plans to the Liquor Licensing Board, yesterday welcomed the news.

"I am very pleased. It's really just a 20 minute journey, so its not as if you have to have a lot of entertainment or can even consume that much food for that matter," she said.

"I have a lot of respect for the Little Venice Group. They are very aware of how they fit into the community and we are really pleased with the contribution they have made over the years.

"This shows they really know their customers, and they want to listen to the community and not offend people."

MEF will now serve just coffee, soft drinks, newspapers, and food such as pastries and sandwiches to commuters on the two fast ferries.

Ms Stroeder said yesterday: "We have been very busy trying to get the ferry concession and we were more concerned with that than getting a liquor licence at this time.

"We appreciate the comments (against alcohol on ferries) that have been made and we have taken it under advisement and we are going to see how the service goes and whether there is a call for this type of service.

"It wasn't a life or death situation for us, but it might have been a nice option. But we recognise there was concern in the public arena and we don't want to provide a service that will upset people."