The Island's fast ferries should have a lifespan of 20 years or more if properly maintained, according to ship manufacturers Gladding-Hearn.

The shipbuilders, who made both Serenity and Resolute, said other ferries they built have lasted "well in excess" of that time period.

Junior Transport Minister Marc Bean has said the ferries were ageing due to the heavy usage requirements for each vessel.

The ferries were purchased in 2002 for $2.5 million each.

Yesterday, Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown declined comment.

Ferry workers downed tools last week in a dispute allegedly over poorly maintained vessels — they were back to work yesterday morning.

The Royal Gazette contacted Peter J. Duclos, president of Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding who released the following statement: "We really can't comment specifically on any recent reliability issues of the Resolute or Serenity.

"We maintain regular contact with the Department of Marine and Ports Services and have not heard of any issues. A properly designed and maintained fast ferry requires no more maintenance than a slow ferry. "The vessels were delivered with a one-year warrantee and I believe an extended engine manufacturers' warranty.

"Properly maintained, the vessels should have a life of more than 20 years and we have many similar vessels well in excess of this age."

Bermuda Democratic Alliance MP Shawn Crockwell said "something is wrong" when the ferry manufacturer says vessels Government describes as "ageing" should be working well.

Either Government "negotiated the purchase of faulty ferries" or there has been a "gross negligence of the maintenance of these fast ferries", he said.

"It really underlines the performance of this Government across-the-board. We have a situation where the Bermuda people are being shortchanged, where the investment we made with these ferries should have given us 20 years of use, but we are only getting seven, which is well below 50 percent. People should be concerned about this type of mismanagement."

Last night, in response to questions about the fast ferry fleet, Junior Transport Minister Senator Marc Bean said: "The recent disruptions in the ferry service have brought to light some issues that the Ministry of Transport must, and will, solve.

"Firstly, our Department of Marine and Ports must redouble its efforts the provide the highest level of service that the taxpayers of this country expect, and deserve. For the public, this equates to a safe and reliable operation, conducted on a well-kept vessel.

"In this regard, a constant desire to improve our standards is critical if our aim is to responsibly provide a quality service. Thus, the timing is right for the Department to conduct an internal review of our maintenance and operational processes.

"In maintaining and operating our ferries, we must do so as if our own family members travel on-board daily. This equally applies to our bus operations. Anything less is a grave disservice to the public, and is simply not acceptable.

"Likewise, in order to ensure these standards of quality, safety, and reliability, we must begin the process of replacing the two original fast ferries, the Resolute and the Serenity. Since this process takes approximately two years, it means that these two ferries would be in their tenth year of operations when their replacements enter the fleet.

"This leaves about 5-10 years of operational life for the equipment. Thus arises the option that Government sell them to private or government operators, in jurisdictions that would deem such an acquisition as an improvement of their existing transportation system.

"In terms of ensuring quality, I ask the question; If the public does not find acceptable, the idea of flying on a 20-year-old airplane, or riding on a 20-year-old bus, then why would we think that they should ride on a 20-year-old ferry?

"Just as we can't get something from nothing, our Department cannot offer a quality service without quality equipment. Hence the requirement for a fleet-renewal program.

"Lastly, an increase in demand, combined with a limited fleet, brings immense pressure in regards to schedule reliability. One mechanical problem has the effect of disrupting the entire schedule.

"Also, a limited fleet prevents us from providing additional service at peak periods of demand, such as our route to St. Georges during the summer cruise ship season.

"A solution to both of these scheduling issues is to add an additional ferry to the fleet, with the option for two, if deemed necessary."

United Bermuda Party Senator Michael Dunkley, commenting before Sen. Bean's statement, said it was "unacceptable" that Government had not offered a better explanation for the failing fleet.

"It is clear that we made a significant investment with the money spent on the fast ferries by the Premier years ago and sadly the Government has not done the wise thing to ensure the proper upkeep of the vessels and to protect the investment. Due to this lack of foresight and planning the vessels are unable to be kept up on schedule and we are having service issues."

Government should have informed the public what is really going on, he said.

Instead, it has offered excuses which "will not hold up to the sunshine of public scrutiny as proved by the comments from Mr. Duclos".

Sen. Dunkley added: "For the Premier to offer no comment is just unacceptable. The Premier and his office are always willing to speak on an issue that suits them, but you can't run and hide behind a 'no comment' during tough times.

"Real leadership takes the good times and the bad times and deals with it."