The 30-year-old ship was replaced by the Spirit of the Tyne in October, and put up for sale.

Shipping firms from around the world have shown interest in the boat, which is expected to be seaworthy for another 15 years, but there have been no firm bidders.

Now Nexus bosses say they will consider using the Internet auction site to sell the ship.

Communications director for Nexus, Andy Bairstow, said: "We are doing all we can to find a new home for Shieldsman – even if it means putting her up for sale on eBay.

"She has been a great servant to the people of North and South Shields, carrying 10 million passengers, and it would be sad if she did have to go to the breaker's yard." The 150-tonne ship has about 375,000 miles on the clock, and is valued at more than £100,000.

It has a capacity of 350 people, and was built by Hancock Shipbuilders of Pembroke Dock – entering service in 1976.

The ship recently featured in world-famous shipping magazine Lloyd's List, which included an interview with ferry master Gary Stobbs.

He said: "You get all the passengers' life stories. There was an old woman having a hard time with her husband and I was getting all her troubles. She asked me out for a meal. She had false teeth and must have been
30 years older than me. I declined.

"But the funniest thing I ever saw was a Ford Transit van
that had been converted into a boat."

But while bosses say scrapping the ship may be an option, Ray Douds, a marine fitter and supervisor who maintains all three vessels, said: "It's too good to be scrapped. To be perfectly honest, the vessel will outlast more modern ferries. It should be good for another 15 years."