Commuters abandoned traffic gridlock yesterday for a faster and less stressful journey to work.

Hundreds of residents got a taste of life on the waves as the new fast $2.5 million Serenity made its inaugural trips from the new terminal at Rockaway, Southampton to Hamilton.

Blue skies and calm seas greeted around 40 passengers as they made the very first trip to the City and Rockaway retiree Beverley Smith was one of the first to sample a crossing.

"Normally I drive into town but parking is a real hassle," she said. "Now I can walk in. It is ideal and I can save money on gas."

Free minibuses picked up people from areas from Granaway Heights to Somerset Bridge, while other commuters walked, drove or were dropped off by car at the new terminal for the 8.25 a.m. 'shuttle to work' ferry.

Docking, loading and departure takes a matter of minutes as the ferry coasts straight up to the dock, allowing passengers to walk on board. There is space for around six cycles.

Sailings went smoothly but there was some confusion amongst passengers about the timetable and pick-up for the minibus service. A lack of publicity and available information on the times was the main complaint.

Nigel Hickson, his wife Judith and daughter Emily walked from Whale Bay but said they would have taken the minibus if they had known where it stopped.

"I normally catch the bus and my wife would drive in," said Mr. Hickson. "The bus can be crowded, especially now the tourist season has started.It is good but it will be better when the next ferry comes so they can juggle the times in the morning more.

"I think it will come together."

The 88ft catamaran carries up to 250 passengers, with seating inside and out. A cafe bar and piped music complete the specification.

One Scottish tourist - a former ferry worker from the west coast of Scotland - made a special trip from Somerset Bridge to ride the new vessel. And Jim Gracie, 83, who lives on the Isle of Bute, gave the ferry a thumbs up.

"It is beautiful, I think it will attract people once it catches on," he said. "It is very comfortable." Carmen Roberts of Sandys said she used to drive to Warwick and take the Darrell's Wharf ferry into Hamilton, but now she takes the minibus, leaving her car and 'motoring stress' behind.

She said: "Getting the Somerset ferry meant heading backwards from where I live, this makes much more sense."

Mrs. Roberts had one complaint: "It would be nice if the minibus could be flagged down along the way."

Companion Brenda Lister added: "It is a first class boat. It takes the stress out of travelling in the morning, this is much more relaxing." At present there are four sailings in the morning, starting from Rockaway at 7.20 a.m., and five in the afternoon, with the last boat leaving Hamilton at 6.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The schedule will grow in May when the second ferry, Resolute, is brought into service.

Commuter and representative of the Somerset ferry commuters, Karen Skiffington added: "There is a lot of interest though I don't think a lot of people are comfortable with the minibus service yet."