I refer to the article “Gozo Channel dangerous cargo trips: Fewer than 50 passengers? Go on, risk it” (TMIS, 27 December).

If due enquiries had been made, it would have been clear that the company was operating in strict and full compliance with Malta Maritime Authority regulations. The MV Gaudos, which was the vessel involved, has safety features that cater for precisely the type of trip to which reference was made, which features require that passengers do not access the garage deck while hazardous cargo is being transported.

This is analogous, one might say, to an aircraft refuelling while passengers are on board: “extra” safety precautions are taken to balance the convenience of passengers (in not being disembarked) against the nature of the operation in progress.

George Borg

Port Services & Commercial Manager

Gozo Channel Company Limited