Transport Minister Walter Roban moved to set the record straight yesterday and hit back at complaints about the maintenance of the Island’s ferries.This after a slew of criticism by members of the community and the Opposition due to maintenance problems that pulled some ferries out of service.The Minister called a press conference and said at the outset the criticism “might be interpreted as malicious untruths about the state of the Island’s ferry fleet”.“The Sea Express ferry service is a wonderful service that has assisted with changing the transportation experience in Bermuda. It has become in some ways a victim of its own success,” said Mr Roban.“Ferries have become such a successful and popular component of the transportation service that the vessels and associated infrastructure have been pushed beyond what they were designed for.“To ensure we offered as comprehensive service to as many people as possible the ferries have been running at full steam for several years. This obviously takes a toll.“As a result of this extended use, the ferries do break down from time to time but we have a very professional team of well trained Bermudian engineers and mechanics who are dealing with these challenges.”Mr Roban noted that the Serenity and Resolute are “the oldest catamaran ferries” in the fleet and “were built for a 20-year life cycle”.“These vessels are currently in their eleventh year, well into their midway cycle, so there will be issues such as the need for engine rebuilding, replacement of components and so on. We all know what happens when you get to your midlife, things happen with people and machines,” said Mr Roban.“These take time and money and delays will be experienced from time to time. The work that is currently being done to these vessels, in particular the Serenity, will help to ensure these vessels will remain in service beyond the 20-year life cycle.“When you hear reports about some of the vessels being out of service, part of it is because of reality, they need to be serviced, the ones that are being serviced are halfway through their life cycle.”He also stated that Bermuda’s climate is well-known for “salt laden air and high humidity” which “wreak havoc on any metallic structures as well as electronics”.“The ferries are no exception. We know that from our cars and our bikes,” said Mr Roban.“The media have also reported on oil and coolant leaks in some ferries. Anyone who has any experience with vessels of this size, or indeed any vessel, will know that this is nothing exceptional,” he said.He confirmed that “minor leaks involving coolant and oil do sometimes occur” that are “rectified by mechanical staff as a matter of priority on all boats”.“In a similar vein, all boats can take in water through their hull fittings and similarly encounter oil leaks from engines. Crews have the resources to manage such problems without safety or service levels being impacted.“Great care is always taken to remove bilge water, which may contain oil, from the vessels to tanks ashore for appropriate disposal,” he added.On the issue of malfunctioning air conditioning systems he confirmed that it has been “the source of ongoing technical challenges over the last few weeks” on board the Warbaby Fox.“A short term cost-effective fix was to install a window air conditioner in the crew wheelhouse compartment while a replacement compressor has been ordered to correct the problem,” said Mr Roban.He also accused the Opposition of trying to “score cheap political points without offering any solutions. We will not be distracted by a few critics spreading misinformation,” he said.But Shadow Minister of Transport Patricia Gordon-Pamplin was quick to respond. “He acknowledges that the ferries have been overused and under-maintained, yet he has the temerity to accuse the Opposition of scoring cheap political points.“He asks for solutions; we regret that the Minister and the Government are bereft of ideas but, in this instance, we offer the obvious solution — allocate the money to fix the ferries!”She also stated that the criticism levelled was “criticism from the travelling public”. “At no point is anyone criticising the crew and the mechanics of the Department of Marine and Ports.“They are doing their best with the meagre funding that they have been afforded by a government who squandered the public purse on cost overruns and poorly managed capital projects,” she said.The Shadow Minister also said she took the 5.20pm ferry to Rockaway on Tuesday and “noted that the ramp had not been fixed — in fact it was held up by a rope”. And she said the air conditioning was not working.“This is after the Minister indicated in Parliament on July 6, that the ramp had been fixed. He intentionally misled the House and the public,” said Ms Gordon-Pamplin.“Rather than try to deflect the blame to everyone else but where it belongs, we need to just fix the ferries. In that way, the crew will not have to be on the receiving end of the ire of the travelling public; it is not fair to them.She concluded: “The Minister might also spend a voyage or two with the very professional crew and might be totally enlightened concerning their recommendations for efficiencies in the service. They are the experts, and should be listened to.”* What do you think about the Island’s ferry service? E-mail jdeacon@royalgazette.bm