'Fast ferry fleet in need of upgrade'

A workers’ strike over the condition of the boats caused commuter chaos throughout the island this week.

The industrial action, which continues today, saw services suspended on the majority of the island’s ferry routes on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Ferry operators are said to be frustrated at continuous breakdowns and the failure of management to react swiftly to repair faults and replace broken parts.

Last night, Marine and Ports director Francis Richardson announced the Blue Route, which services the west end, would be back in action today. But ferries from St. George’s and Rockaway to Hamilton are still suspended.

Senator Marc Bean, the junior transport minister, said “wear and tear” on the fast ferries was an ongoing issue. He added that the long-term solution could be to replace some of the older ferries and add further boats to the fleet.

Mr. Bean said: “We’ve really seen the impact this week in terms of the increase in rush-hour traffic.

‘There are a lot more cars on the road, people have had to adjust their whole schedule to be able to get to work on time.

“It just shows the wisdom of having this ferry system in the first place. Now that we have them, we have to ensure they are maintained to the highest possible standards so we have the most effective service possible.”

He said Government might have to look at replacing some of the boats — first brought in by the PLP nearly eight years ago. There are currently six fast ferries in the fleet and Senator Bean believes more could be required to ease the workload.

He said: “The short term solution is to resolve the maintenance issues we are facing currently.

“But this just brings to bear the need for us to look at fleet renewal.

“The reality is the ferries are very well utilized, some would say over utilized.

“Because of that we are starting to see wear and tear.

“There are more maintenance issues with the fast ferries in particular.

“A long-term solution would be replacing the older ferries and to have one or two additional ferries in the fleet.”

Issues

He said the industrial action was inconvenient. But he refused to criticize the Union.

Mr. Bean said: “It is what it is and we have to deal with it.

“We are working with the Union to resolve the outstanding issues.”

Neither the Bermuda Industrial Union or Marine and Ports have divulged the specific reasons for the strike.

Mr. Richardson, for Marine and Ports, released a statement yesterday evening saying the Blue Route, which services Dockyard, Cavello Bay and Watford Bridge, would be running as normal today.

The Paget/Warwick commuter service, which uses a separate fleet of smaller ferries, is not affected by the strike.

No details were given about the Orange Route, which services St. George’s, or the Green Route, which services Rockaway in Southampton.

But Ferry Terminal staff were informing callers last night that the service was still suspended.

BIU President Chris Furbert confirmed yesterday afternoon that the union’s issue centered on concerns over maintenance.

He said: “We are in discussion with management about the condition of the boats.

“That’s something the men are very concerned about.”

Commuters

But he would not go into detail about the specific nature of the concerns or explain why the Union had called a strike without giving the 21 days notice required under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Commuters on the west end Blue Route say the older, slower ferries have been used over the past two weeks, keeping them late for work. Passengers say they were told that three of Bermuda’s fleet of six fast ferries are out of service.