Ferry workers may resort to industrial action over a colleague fired for crashing a passenger vessel while intoxicated.

Marine and Ports Services employees have given management until 3 p.m. today to reinstate Dwayne Pearman or face the possibility of a walkout, causing disruption to hundreds of commuters.

Pearman was fired on January 21, six days after being fined $2,000 at Magistrates' Court for piloting a ferry while under the influence of alcohol. The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to being more than twice over the limit when he crashed the J.L. Cecil Smith into Rockaway dock on December 21. It had 60 passengers on board at the time.

A Government spokeswoman last night confirmed Pearman had been dismissed, but said his pilot's licence was still under review.

"The pilot was immediately suspended from his duties when the December incident occurred," she said. "His employment with Marine and Ports was terminated this month. However, any decision on the status of his pilot's licence is determined by an Examining Committee. This is done in accordance with Section 21 (2) of the Marine Board (Island Boats) Regulation 1965.

"In other words, this Act governs all boat operators, private and public sector. While the Department can terminate the employment, it cannot revoke or suspend a maritime licence. The Examining Committee will convene in due course."

But Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert said Pearman's colleagues were concerned he had been sacked after a previous "unblemished record" of 11 years' service.

The union's attempts to reinstate Pearman in a different position of employment have so far failed, and BIU representatives met workers yesterday to discuss the situation.

Mr. Furbert said: "The employees are concerned that management have taken the high road and have not given him another job in Marine and Ports. They have given management until 3 p.m. to reconsider their position. If they don't, the workers will meet at 8 a.m. on Friday.

"I have no idea what may happen but I will report back to them on Friday morning and see how they want to proceed."

Mr. Furbert said: "Mr. Pearman was fined $2,000 in the courts and will probably lose his pilot licence, so he is not going to get away scot free. But we believe management should reconsider.

"Several months ago we had a manager dismissed for gross misconduct, for fighting with another employee, but he was reinstated by the Public Services Comission. This is why the workers feel justified to ask for Mr. Pearman's reinstatement. He is being held accountable for what he did but there are three or four vacancies in the Department and we would like to see him back in employment."