The Government is to spend $4.5 million on an extensive refit of one of the oldest vessels in its fleet of ferries and tenders.

The Bermudian tender began its journey to to the Gladding-Hearn shipyard in Fall River, Massachusetts on Monday, and will be out of commission for almost a year.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Transport said the repairs were part of a budgeted infrastructure refit and replacement programme for public transportation, which includes the Marine and Ports Services fleet of vessels.

The spokeswoman said that the Bermudian, which was built in 1988, was “well past her refit date”.

She said: “The estimated cost to build a new ferry/tender would be between $12 million and $15 million and require increased manning requirements based on the number of passengers it would be carrying.”

One of the island’s large fast ferries will service the Blue route between Hamilton and the Royal Naval Dockyard until the Bermudian returns.

Upgrades to the Bermudian include a new environmentally friendly main engine with higher emissions standards, new generators, new steering, shafts and propellers and a new safety system.

Hull plating and windows will be replaced and a CCTV and navigational system will be installed.