Hundreds of people yesterday heeded appeals to use a ferry service to go to Birgufest – only to find a dire lack of organisation and primitive conditions at the Valletta quay beneath the old Customs house.

People were forced to queue in unlit conditions by the water's edge, with one section closed off using chicken wire because of the state of the balcony above.

Eight barklori (boatsmen) were ferrying their own passengers from a landing spot just metres away from the ferry, and with no officials controlling the crowd, many people found themselves queuing for boats when they meant to board the ferry, and vice-versa.

Waiting time was over an hour – with no benches provided.

Now in its 14th edition, Birgufest is a crowd-pullers which often results in long traffic jams and parking problems, despite the provision of park and ride facilities.

Confused passengers queued for more than an hour

Boatsmen held an impromptu protest last week during Notte Bianca, briefly blocking harbour ferries from docking in Valletta in protest over inadequate landing places provided for them, as well as what they view as unfair competition.

WATCH: Boatsmen blockade Grand Harbour ferry

There were no such complaints yesterday, but at one time a boatsman drew up alongside one of the ferries at the Lascaris Wharf landing place and loudly complained in crude language about the wake created by the ferry.

Organisation was better at Vittoriosa – there was one queue, better lighting and people could sit on the low fence - but disappointment still persisted for the returning passengers.

While the ferries operated an extended schedule till 2am, the Upper Barrakka lift was stopped at midnight and people who had parked at Castille Place or elsewhere in Valletta were forced to take the steep climb from Victoria Gate.

Did you use the ferry to visit Birgufest? Tell us about your experience on mynews@timesofmalta.com