Serenity, the first of Bermuda's two new fast ferries, arrived on the Island yesterday as Transport Minister Dr.. Ewart Brown took one step closer to introducing his keynote transport initiative.

A beaming Dr. Brown welcomed the $2.5 million catamaran, which reached Dockyard in the morning after a stormy trip from Boston, then came into Hamilton Harbour and moored at Marine & Ports on East Broadway.

"I feel like a kid with a new bike - I am extremely proud that we have bought this concept to reality," said Dr. Brown.

"Serenity is a beautiful craft. Bermudians deserve nothing less. Serenity travelled here from Boston in very rough weather. It shows that she can certainly handle Bermuda's waters."

Serenity, which will go into service on the Hamilton-Dockyard-St. George's route on April 2, will be joined by another $2.5 million catamaran Resolute in the first week of May.

It is part of Dr. Brown's initiative to reduce the number of commuters clogging up roads from the West End by up to 25 percent when the service is up and running. The Hamilton to Dockyard run, which will include a stop at the new Rockaway terminal in Southampton, will be a 20 minute journey, while Dockyard through to St, George's will be 50-55 minutes.

Resolute will mainly service St. George's to Hamilton. On Easter Sunday there will be free rides between Rockaway and Albouy's Point.

On hand to witness the arrival of Serenity with Dr. Brown were Acting Transport Permanent Secretary, Ian MacIntyre, Terry Spencer, Brangman Associates' architect Walter Brangman, Chairman of Ports Authority, Walter Robain, Director of Marine and Ports, Barry Copland, Consultant for Ministry of Transport, Larry Jacobs, Francis Richardson, Public Transportation Board, Albert Thompson, and George Peck of Works and Engineering.

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