Some passengers on the Virtu Ferries catamaran last week complained with officials of the company about the luggage carriers soon after the vessel’s arrival in Grand Harbour.

At least one person almost lost one of his luggage bags as an irresponsible person took hold of it and was already making his way out. Luckily enough, he was spotted with the bag in his hands and was stopped before he could go out of the terminal; therefore the bag was somehow retrieved.

Obviously no one of the Virtu Ferries staff can be blamed for such an incident, but this abuse can easily be stopped. All the Virtu Ferries company has to do is simple. They have to enumerate the carriers, for example, 1, 2, 3, etc, to enable everyone to know where they have stored their suitcases before departure from Sicily.

Moreover, all the luggage carriers should be brought out of the vessel onto the quay after all passengers disembark, even if this means that passengers will have to wait a bit longer to arrive at their destination. This is simply because those who get out last (on several occasions there are over 400 people on board) can never check what could have happened with their luggage – sometimes, it might take over 10 minutes for the last persons to get out of the vessel and by then it might be too late!

Also, the luggage retrieval area should be lit up as the darkness of the surroundings on arrival certainly encourages more abuse. It would not cost the company too much to make such amendments in the interest of its numerous clients.

Henry Brincat

Birkirkara