But "if the Coast Guard boarding officer were to conduct a vessel safety inspection under normal circumstances and see that many people on board a boat that size, they would definitely recommend that the operator probably return to port and offload some of them, " Mr. McKenzie said.

WSJ: 3 Children Die After Yacht Capsizes

Mr Jones said it would be run by an independent operator on the government's behalf, it would not receive subsidies and it would make a "return to the Welsh taxpayer" as well as the private operator.

BBC: Cardiff Airport buyout threatens Bristol, says MEP

The operator said passengers due to make return journeys on Saturday or Sunday were advised to arrive at the Port of Calais or Port of Dover where their return travel would be honoured by other cross-channel operators.

BBC: Weekend hit by tunnel disruption

Fans of Brecon Jazz were relieved to see the festival return, after an appeal was made for a new operator to run the event.

BBC: Review of the year: The arts in Wales by Huw Thomas

He has also said it would not receive subsidies and it would make a "return to the Welsh taxpayer" as well as the private operator.

BBC: Cardiff airport

There is no stomach for the cost to be borne by a private sector operator at the moment as the time for an economic return is seen as prohibitive.

FORBES: Olympic Meddle

Last week Fastnetline, the operator of the Swansea to Cork ferry, said it was cutting return sailings during the winter months from three to two each week.

BBC: HSS Explorer

But try to get a dealer to return your call, an instructor to show up on time for your lesson or a hangar operator to lift a finger to help you.

FORBES: Digital rules

It is a measure of how fast and how far the industry's star has waned that Sonera, Finland's biggest operator, was applauded on August 10th for its decision to hand back, for no financial return, its hard-won licence in Norway.

ECONOMIST: European telecoms: Running for the exit | The