The first of the two new fast ferries is complete and has already got its sea legs.

Marine and Ports director Barry Coupland said yesterday the new foil catamaran ferry Tempest was launched into the waters of the North West Bay shipyard, in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia over the weekend.

"Tempest is now complete and will now undergo rigorous shipyard testing and trials," he said. "We are very pleased with her launching last weekend, which is the first step to test Tempest's seaworthiness."

Transport Minister Ewart Brown was also elated.

"This is excellent news," he said.

"Our twins Venturilla and Tempest are on schedule and we couldn't be happier with the construction progress of the two vessels.

"On Friday, May 3, we have a three-man Bermuda team departing for Hobart to do some training with the new vessel and to ensure that Tempest is technically sound," Dr. Brown continued.

"But we are on schedule and are looking forward to receiving the two cats some time around mid-summer."

The new ferries are expected to replace the two ageing mono-hull ferries now operating the Somerset and Paget/Warwick routes.

The second catamaran, Venturilla, is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.