temporarily reinstated because of a staffing shortage, Director of Marines and Ports, Ron Ross told The Royal Gazette .

The ferry service, which operates four vessels to Somerset and Warwick/Paget, had recently suspended one of its pilots for two months after running his vessel aground.

The pilot, suspended with pay, is presently working in the ferry yard on the relief crew.

"We've had some sickness along some of the routes and we've had to call in extra help,'' said Mr Ross.

But the decision had apparently touched a raw nerve with rest of the pilots; "The whole issue is tied up in money and overtime,'' said Mr. Ross.

The pilots, member of the Bermuda Industrial Union's marine section, have said they will not sail with the suspended pilot and have effectively bypassed the union's own grievance procedure, he added.

Mr. Ross said that in the event of a job action by the pilots, management would not step in to keep the ferries running.

"We'll get this thing worked out,'' he added.

BIU president Derrick Burgess said he could not comment last night.

GOVERNMENT GVT