In praise of Gozo Channel

Despite all the obstacles it faces, the political interference it continues to endure and the litany of criticism it is (unfairly) subjected to, Gozo Channel Ferries steadily continues to do what it is supposed to do – transport people, cars and goods back and forward between the islands.
In my view it does this with commendable efficiency and in normal circumstances reliability. Invariably, the ferries are on time, clean and (leaving aside some of the behaviour of its customers and staff) safe.
I am constantly impressed at how efficient arrival, unloading, reloading and departure normally are. I remain impressed at how the engineering staff keep the ferries operating despite their heavy usage. The queuing system generally works (the bad behaviour of some ‘very important people’ and the individual aggressiveness of some ‘ordinary’ travellers aside). Even on its busiest days, given the sheer volume of people who want to travel all at the same time, the queuing system works well with the assistance of the police.

Gozo Channel operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, even through the night (the 3.30am ferry is worthy of an extended essay in its own right). For this, the company...