Government is looking to replace some of its older fast ferries and add to the fleet, according to Junior Transport Minister Marc Bean.

The announcement comes after ferry staff downed tools earlier this week in a dispute apparently over safety although it has not been revealed by the Bermuda Industrial Union or Government exactly what those safety issues are.

Cancellations to the service began on Tuesday and the only ferries running yesterday were on the pink and blue routes.

The Department of Marine and Ports said last night that the blue route — to the West End and Dockyard — would be suspended again today "in an effort to expedite repair work" started earlier this week. The blue route, which stops at Hamilton, Cavello Bay, Watford Bridge and Dockyard, will run as usual on Monday.

Government said it hoped "accelerated" maintenance on the ferries would see the green and orange routes resume that day too.

Yesterday, Senator Bean said: "It's just maintenance issues, which is a result of boats coming to the end of their life. We're going to look at replacing the initial fast ferries and add to the fleet one or two fast ferries. We need to be in a position to maintain the continuity of our schedule.

"When you have a fleet that's over utilised, no matter how much maintenance you put in, you're going to find that you're going to have some challenges and some disruptions."

He continued: "The [Transport] Minister recognises this issue and the concern is staff and the union so we're getting together to get it sorted as soon as possible with a short-term solution, with an eye on a long-term solution as well."

The first set of fast ferries were bought seven years ago and cost taxpayers in the region of $1.3 million each.

A Marine and Ports statement issued yesterday quoted the Department's director, Francis Richardson, as saying that ferry workers decided to down tools on Tuesday following a union meeting to address outstanding ferry maintenance issues.

He said the workers believed their grievances were not being adequately addressed.

The statement went on: "According to Mr. Richardson, over the course of the past two days substantial progress has been made with regard to the outstanding maintenance issues and discussions with the union have progressed well.

"Marine and Ports technical and operational staff are working collectively to accelerate the repair schedule to ensure that the ferries are returned to service as soon as possible."

The statement said Mr. Richardson could "appreciate the public's level of frustration at the lack of information regarding the current situation" and added that his Department would "actively endeavour to keep the public fully abreast of further developments, particularly when all ferry commuter service resumes".

Meanwhile, a worker at the Hamilton ferry terminal told this newspaper: "Tourists have been very understanding. They are taking the bus."